The Unstoppable Gospel
October 19, 2020 - January 1, 2030
The Unstoppable Gospel
Anika Hochstedler, 25, New York
[January 2018 DTS, Wild Heart, Outreach location: Solomon Islands]
My favorite part of outreach was when we went to the outer islands of the Solomon Islands. For a week, our team went from village to village; some of the places we visited had never even seen white people before. We had ministry time where we would share a “program” with them, bringing testimonies, leading worship, and giving a message from the Word. We were able to hand out bibles that were translated into their native language and pray with them.
A week before, our team got words about getting the chance to pray for people who were practicing ancestral worship. One night, one of the beach villages invited us to speak to them, and we had no idea, ministry wise, what we were going to bring. Going with the Holy Spirit, we hoped that everything would come as He led us. And boy, did He surprise us! We were sitting in this little chapel on the sand, waiting for the Lord to give us direction with where to go. Honestly, we just sat for a while. The whole village was outside staring in at us, expecting something to happen.
Finally, we received the words “simple gospel”, leading us to do a skit that we made up highlighting creation and Jesus’ ministry. Afterwards, one of our team leaders shared his testimony, where he was taken out of witchcraft and gang affiliation and into a life with Jesus. He was able to relate to these people, yet also share how Jesus changed his own life and revealed God’s loving nature. We had just about every hand raised when we asked who wanted to receive Jesus as their Saviour. We prayed for everyone that night! There were so many with pain that were hungry for freedom and in need of healing. We explained that they needed to renounce the gods that they worship, and accept Jesus as their only God. The chief of the village stood up and HIMSELF declared that he would no longer worship other gods, but God alone.
We then went into an incredible prayer time with them, where I sang some worship in the background and my team went and laid hands praying for healing. The chief and some of the elders of the village gave us this vision that they saw tongues of fire standing over our heads like the church in Acts during pentecost. Come to think of it, it was in the time between Easter and Pentecost Sunday that this happened. Pain left and blind eyes opened! I think the coolest part of this was that even though we didn’t speak or understand each other because of our language barrier, they still received a revelation of who God is, and His healing through the Holy Spirit. The chief again stood up and thanked us saying they thought we would have come with material things like clothes, glasses and medicine, but instead we brought something so much better. Late in the evening as we left that village we praised God for all that we had just witnessed. It was one of the most remarkable and memorable nights of my life!
“Being a part of the Pilgrimage Stream impacted my life for the better. Not only did it teach me how to function in a small community (as we shared the burden of climbing those mountains together), but also how to rely on one another, have fun and worship together, and, most importantly, how to be vulnerable with each other. The focus of our Stream taught me what it looks like to be on a pilgrimage for God. God calls us out of our homes to the wilderness, where we’ll see Him face-to-face, and are forced to fully depend on Him before we receive His inheritance.”
Harty Dumalagan, 21, B.C. Canada
“Upon first coming to DTS, I had settled for a mundane and ordinary life. But over time, He has captured my heart and instilled in me a new passion for His purpose. This has given me confident hope that I am worthy of intentionally being part of the greater good.”
Taya Newton, 20, Alberta, Canada
“My life used to be run by my fears, my struggles, and my failures. I had no way of fighting them because I didn’t know the truth. Over my time with YWAM and beyond, I have encountered so much freedom as God has shown me the truth of who He is in His Word. Dive into the Bible on Cover to Cover and watch God transform you as He begins to show you who He really is and who you were really made to be.”
David Souter, 22, England
“Medical Compassion DTS was a truly an incredible experience. Working in health centres, hospitals and pop-up clinics grew my interest in medicine and allowed me to practically show the love of God. For me, the most transformational aspect of my Med-Com DTS was the focus on compassion and its importance in achieving true holistic healing. This is an experience like no other!”
Matthew Bassett, 18, Orewa, NZ
“Our DTS was a time set apart to seek God’s face and encounter Him in a completely new way. During those five months, He realigned our heart and mind with His heart and His thoughts for us. We found that to love Him and to sit at the feet of Jesus is the only place we want to be and to live our lives from.”
Emmanuel & Emelie Linder, 28 & 26, Sweden
“Being part of the Wild Heart stream helped me know my place in the kingdom as well as parts of my spiritual identity. It broke lies and empowered me to be who God called me to be!”
Nicole Tavares, 18, Brazil
DBS has been a fulfilled prayer for me. When I was home, I asked the Lord to bring me deeper into his word, and He put that desire on my heart. I knew I would come back to staff, and I thought I would dive into it on my own. I found myself not having the right tools needed to effectively study God’s word. Once DBS became an option, I went for it wholeheartedly. I have been enjoying my time, going deeper than I imagined. God has shown me new things, removed false perspectives of his word and brought me into a deeper understanding of who he is. I have been challenged in many ways during this course, helping me find my place in God’s kingdom. I’ve been able to build a strong foundation with the Word of God. Over all, the Lord created a new heart within me that desires to love, praise, share joy, and bring others into the family of God. I love this school for all that is provided from strong friendships to heart moving moments in small groups and the teachings. My life will never be the same after this school!
Alex Denney, 20, Washington
“SPHC was honestly one of the best experiences of my life so far. From the lecture phase to outreach, my mind was constantly blown by the endless stream of possibilities that become available when you combine practical medical care with the power of prayer. Also, getting to hike, ride in boats and in the back of trucks, and setting up clinics basically anywhere was quite the highlight for a city girl like me.”
Tabitha Abishegam, 26, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
“Doing The Cover to Cover DTS at Marine Reach was one of the best things I’ve decided to do. Reading the Bible from Genesis to Revelation helped me see more of the different characteristics and nature of God. The Cover to Cover DTS was great. It taught me how to be diligent, manage my time properly, and helped me have a more sturdy foundation and in my beliefs. “
Talon Jernigan, 20, USA
“I have just finished my Worship DTS at Marine Reach NZ.
When I signed up for the worship DTS I thought it was just about praising God. It’s about the role we play as worship leaders, it about how you lead the worship session, when to pray, and when and how you end. I recommend the Worship DTS to everyone who is inspired by the worship at your home church.”
Adam Pelletier, 36, BC. Canada