YWAM Yosemite - Oakhurst, California

Christian ?. C. D.

I was a student for the Outdoor Adventure Disciple Training School (OADTS) 2023, and I all I have to say is: wow.

God moved in such a powerful way using this school. From all the time we spent in camping nearby all the way to doing missionary work in Nepal, and I still haven’t stopped talking about it.

If God is calling you to sign up: PLEASE DO. God will provide all finances for you as He did with me. He will speak to you through this school. He will move in you. He will heal areas in yourself you didn’t know you needed healing in. If you aren’t already convinced He exists and He loves you, this will set your faith firm in Him.

God bless you all

Caleb G.

Had a team come to our church from here. They were great, got on with their work and we had a great time with them. Would recommend YWAM Yosemite, although I have never done a DTS I have seen the fruit of their work and would recommend having a team come from here, or being part of one yourself.

Hannah M.

If you love Jesus and love the outdoors, YWAM Yosemite is the perfect base! From my first phone call to my last day on base, it was a beautiful experience. I did my DTS in the summer of 2023 and it was wonderful! I felt so loved by the staff and more importantly, built upon my relationship with Jesus.

There is no doubt a DTS will push you out of your comfort zone, but it was 100% worth it, at least for me. The relationships I made will last a lifetime. I am so thankful for my DTS and for the YWAM Yosemite staff who supported me alongside my journey to understand Jesus and missions.

Juan D. C.

YWAM Yosemite has a huge heart for evangelism. During lecture phase, Go confronted beliefs I had and exposed areas of selfishness. The people there are true Christians who love Jesus deeply. It was super refreshing to be around people that love Jesus. I was super blessed to be a part of this community. I honestly saw so many beautiful aspects of Jesus reflected in many different people. I saw and experienced radical grace. I saw God provide through my community. I saw many of my classmates change their lifestyles due to DTS. You really get to learn the value of community.

The outreach portion was challenging for both staff and students. The nature of outreach is hard because it requires adapting to a new culture and it was the first time a team was sent to Japan. YWAM Yosemite is a great community with really amazing people, it isn't perfect, it needs to grow in some areas, but DTS can bring substantial change of perspective and lifestyle if you let it. It is true that teachers contradict each other, but I was personally challenged by the school leader to judge it based on God's word. I didn't agree with everything, but it's like with any sermon, we need to use our discernment.

In DTS I saw my weakest version, but I also saw a passion for evangelism and Jesus that I've never had before. I love this base and the people there! I would do my DTS again there and I constantly want others to do it!

Molleigh F.

For those considering this institution, I hope this is insightful.

This is my honest personal experience, and I do not intend to attack or slander any members. In short, I'll say the general problem here is how this base is run. My experience wasn't good, and I want my story to be known. I joined YWAM Yosemite in the fall of 2020. At my inexperienced age, I was willing to endure the pains and sufferings of a missionary for the gospel. My experiences weren't entirely negative; I made a few great friends, learned a lot, and made a few memorable experiences. Additionally, at least Jesus is known through a few great people. I am grateful in the sense that I am now in a much better state in life. I understand that the Lord wanted me to be led through these trials, as I find myself professing the Catholic faith, which I would not have arrived at without this trajectory at YWAM.

After much processing, healing, and guidance that included family support and shared thoughts with other former members with similar stories, I've concluded that YWAM does not fall short of a traditional cult.

Upon arrival, I did the required program, DTS, a 6-month school. During this time, you will be taught unsound theology that leads to confusion and manipulation; they will lead you away from the truth. Often, the teachers would contradict each other. During which, I and my classmates went overseas with a lack of understanding, training, and resources to properly do our missionary work.

I was promised upon joining staff that I would be staffing schools and planning to move overseas to be a full-time missionary. I ended up spending most of my time in an office trying to recruit more students, often by myself or with just one other member. Responsible for keeping contact with 30+ people at a time and their enrollment process. Of which I was also not properly trained to perform and expected to use my personal equipment for. Because more students equals more money to keep the business running. Even on vacation time, I was expected to continue working. Thinking about members who might have joined during my time because of my recruitment may be experiencing these same hurts deeply saddens me.

They don’t allow anyone to have jobs outside of YWAM, and people often financially suffer. The belief that God will provide you with finances no matter the circumstance is widely twisted. To the extreme, many end up malnourished because they can’t afford to properly feed themselves.

Upon making my decision to leave, a non-profit organization that I was expected to fund in order to be part of. I was told by one of the leaders of the base, that I was walking away from my covenant with the Lord. Quitting an unpaid job does not equal a covenant with the Lord. My personal mentor, a key leader, after I told them I was leaving, never spoke to me again for the remaining duration of my staffing.

During my time on staff and I share this experience with many others I became suicidal, depressed, and physically malnourished. Above all, spiritually abused. Coming to the point of questioning if God existed. I almost completely left my faith. When talking to fellow staff members about struggling, I was told I wasn't praying enough.

YWAM has become a poor, antiquated institution that delivers a 1960’s Jesus movement philosophy and form of evangelization, which no longer applies five decades later. At this point, you are no longer presenting revelation, you're presenting a skit. Leaving communities in desire and desolate both within this institution and outside of it. If you want to learn more about the faith, please reconsider your options. Ask others that have participated, not just current members.
May God Bless You in your journey.

Miriam M.

Stayed here for a couple nights in a road trip and LOVED it. The staff at this base are incredibly friendly and hospitable. Also loved the town of Oakhurst as everyone was so nice. Would definitely recommend doing a DTS here.

James I.

YWAM is basically a cult. For the love of all things holy DO NOT DO A DTS. You'll regret it for the rest of your life. I'm still trying to pick up the pieces after what YWAM did to me.

Ren B.

rep0st from July 2024