A Year Doing Missions
Mature Your Faith, Character, and Passion in a Full-Year Christian Gap Year
Why A Gap Year?
There are only a few times in your life that you can put your studies or career on hold and grow as a person and gain God’s perspective on your life. Press pause on college or work and come do a missions based gap year with YWAM. Don’t miss out in getting wrapped up in God’s incredible plan for your life and getting involved in reaching the lost with His love. Learn about the character of God, get discipled, and be transformed as you are immersed in other nations and cultures.
Discover Passions
Going to college/university can be a helpful tool in preparing for a career, but what if you want to:
- Grow in maturity
- Have more life experience & develop useful skills
- Travel & adventure
- Find purpose & experience what you think your passions are
During a Gap Year, you will have the chance to be mentored, pursue your interests, and discover the purpose of your life. Don't waste time on unnecessary courses or expensive textbooks. Instead of gaining knowledge that you may never use, consider exploring new opportunities. Don't just follow the crowd – be intentional.
What Does Our Gap Year Look Like?
Five Months of Growth
In Discipleship Training School (DTS)
Start your Gap Year with a Discipleship Training School which is a life-changing five-month program that builds a solid foundation of personal growth and relationship with Jesus. It starts with three-months of biblical teaching, real-life application, and ongoing discipleship, all geared towards helping you know God better. Then you’ll take your growing love for Jesus and share it with others on an two-month overseas mission trip.
Whether you’re passionate about sports, music, or simply knowing Jesus, we have a DTS that’s perfect for you. Check out our DTS Electives Page for what we offer.
Five More Months Of Being Equipped
In The School of Ministry Development (SOMD)
Once you complete your DTS, you have the option of making your Christian gap year a full eleven months by returning to our School of Ministry Development (SOMD). The SOMD is a follow-up to DTS and is fully loaded with practical tools for ministry and growth in leadership ability. It’s a hands-on course designed to help you discover God’s call on your life and equip you for your future.
Like the DTS, the SOMD includes a three-month classroom phase and a two-month outreach, this time with an additional emphasis on leadership and using your passions.
When Does The Gap Year Start?
What Is The Cost?
Are You Ready For College?
College Is Expensive If You Don't Use The Degree
You know someone who has college debt for a degree they did not complete or a major they aren’t sure is the career path they want. You know someone who applied for college out of pressure from their school, friends, or family.
Up to half of students who enter college are undeclared in their major and 75% of students will change their major at least once before graduation (1). Instead of going to lectures for courses you are unsure whether you actually want to learn, pay for books you don’t want to read, or rack up debt that you will need to pay back, why not do a YWAM Gap Year and narrow down what you love to do? Instead of starting a degree on assumptions or due to peer pressure, gain perspective and confidence in what the Lord might be calling you to do!
What People Say They Got Out of a Gap Year
Said They Acquired Useful Skills On Their Gap Year
People Found Purpose For Their Lives In A Gap Year
Said A Gap Year Increased Their Maturity
Believed that a Gap Year Increased Their "Readiness" For College/Career