School Leader
Julie Anna // 31 // Tennessee, USA
I consider it such a privilege to serve on this “Around the World” DTS! I’m passionate about discipleship and how following Jesus radically changes our lives. This verse is now a theme for my life: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)
Before joining YWAM I graduated from Lee University with a degree in Communications. I then went on to do graphic design for a couple of years. That was long enough for me to realize that I didn’t want to spend my life in a cubical wondering if there was more out there for me! I did this DTS in 2006 and it had a major impact on my life. So much so, I decided to start living by faith, become a missionary, and staff these around the world schools. I enjoy discovering new places, partnering with non-profits around the world, coffee, hiking, traveling, photography, wake-boarding, skiing, and simply living this amazing adventure with Jesus.
I have staffed 4 AW80 DTSs, led one, and am excited to lead this one in 2012. I never dreamed God was this good – here comes my 7th time around the world! This group is going to be an awesome one – I can feel it! God’s got such great plans and revelations for us in this time. Identities will be restored, dreams will be ignited, and most importantly the name of Jesus will be glorified around the world.
School Staff
Kari // 22 // British Columbia, CAN
My name is Kari. I was born an raised in the most beautiful place on earth, that is, Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada. I graduated from the Around The World in 80 Days DTS in 2009 with the Outreach to Africa and Asia. God dramatically altered my life during my DTS and called me to the Nations, starting my journey with coming back here to YWAM Oxford and I have been with the base ever since. I have a huge passion to live life to the fullest with God in being his beloved daughter, seeking after Him, and letting nothing get in the way of my relationship with my Heavenly Father. I love reaching out the lost and telling them how important they are, giving them back their identity in Christ.
I enjoy traveling and discovering new cultures, singing, cooking, painting, foreign clothes, and being completely spontaneous and silly! I am living the extraordinary life that God has planned for me and am looking forward to bringing others on the same adventure.
A few Life Verses: Psalm 139, Isaiah 41:9-10
School Staff
Joseph // 29 // Pennsylvania, USA
The best way to sum up my life is that I am a man with a big heart for God, traveling, adventure, and freedom in Christ. I love snowboarding, attempting to surf, driving anything with an engine, and photography. I love feeling how small I am compared to how epic God is, and meeting people around the world who can relate to home because it makes the world seem smaller and smaller each time. My heart and satisfaction in life is to see people set free and come to live in the full potential that God intended for them.
Born and raised just west of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, I grew up going to church most of my life but didn’t really know what it meant to have a relationship with Jesus.In 2005, I went to Mexico for two weeks with Mission Adventures and it is there that I can say God truly found me and I found my heart’s desire. I spent the next 5 years praying into the calling God had placed on my heart and in 2007, went on another mission trip, spending 2 weeks in Guatemala. Finally hearing Papa’s call to GO, I came to Oxford in 2010 and did the AW80 DTS, spreading the love through Africa and Asia.
My life verse for the last year has been John 10:10 which says, “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” I am eagerly awaiting all the LIFE that God has for the upcoming Around the World DTS and everything He is going to do in this school!
School Staff
Grace // 32 // Texas, USA
Adventure is her middle name. When Grace is not working in the concrete jungles of the hospital or the clinic, she is outdoors. Her mission adventures began in Liberia, West Africa aboard the Mercy Ship as a recovery room nurse and she has had the heart for mission since. Her passion is being God’s instrument of love, compassion, and care.
She completed the Around the World DTS in 2009 with outreach to the Middle East. She is crazy about mangoes; she declares that when God made mangoes, He was thinking of her. Grace lives in Harker Heights, Texas but calls Baguio City, Philippines home.
She’s psyched about this school and cannot wait to see God move and transform lives. Her favorite quote is: “He isn’t safe, but He’s good.” - C.S. Lewis.
School Staff
Dave // 24 // Alberta, CAN
I don’t think I could imagine a better way to be spending life at 23 years old. 3 years ago I was working a job with no vision, no plan, and no idea what my future looked like. Before that I had spent 3 years at bible college before dropping out and having no clue where I was headed. I had grown up in a Christian home surrounded by a great family and solid church community, I knew that God was real and alive, and wanted to have a relationship with me, but I had no clue how to get there, or what that looked like. So during Christmas of 2008 God put it on my heart to get out of Calgary, my home city. So I decided it was time to leave and in the process find the relationship with God that I knew I had been missing.
I went online and found the very website that you are on right now, found the Around the World in 80 Days DTS, worked for over a year to save the money for the school, and in February of 2010 I flew to New Zealand to do the school. I went knowing that I needed drastic change in my life and that I was tired of living the way that I was. I knew that God would change me on the journey, but I could not have possibly imagined how significant that change would be.
Needless to say I’m back in New Zealand doing staff training and trying to get my head around the fact that the next two years of my life will be spent living as a missionary, pouring into the lives of the students that come to do the AW80 school, and have them pour back into mine. My journey has only begun, through the process of DTS God gave me everything that I was missing in my life before. A deep and alive relationship with him most importantly, but also a purpose and a plan for the next few years of my life.
I am blessed to have an amazing and supportive family behind me in all of this, I was lucky enough to be home when my niece was born and to see her grow for the first four months of her amazing life, I’m praying my growth is something like hers, beautiful and guided by God every step of the way.
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” – Romans 5:3-5
School Staff
Carmella // 21 // Ontario, CAN
Hello all! My name is Carmela and I hail from Ottawa Ontario. All my life I’ve had a hunger for Jesus, adventures and missions. In 2010 I made a decision to do a DTS, a decision that changed my life forever! I told everyone before I left that I would go to school after DTS unless God changed my plans… I sort of hoped He would, and He did!
I had a really rough time after my DTS but this beautiful home in New Zealand was still calling my name. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to return to NZ, at least not for a while, but God, being God, worked it all out! My heart is for traveling, missions, for people to truly experience God, writing, health, music and so much more! I was so blessed with the opportunity to come and serve on the base here in Oxford NZ.
So I am now back ‘home’, doing the Registrar position and getting to know all the new students! It’s ‘sweet as’ and I know I am right where God wants me to be… in the palm of His hand. It’s not about what I’m doing or where I’m going, it’s about being with Him! I hope you all can join in this adventure with me! May you be encouraged wherever and whoever you are right now, He loves you…
(A verse from a chapter that I love)
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39
School Staff
Becky // 26 // Minnesota, USA
Hey all! My name is Rebekah but most people call me Becky. I was raised in beautiful Minnesota and I love the fact that the term “Minnesota-nice” was coined based on the way we interact with people! I enjoy anything active, travelling, music, playing games, and am a firm believer that laughter is the very best medicine (and this is coming from a nurse people!).
After following the All-American plan of completing college and starting a career, God opened my eyes to how disconnected my life was. I felt like a different person in each arena of my life: social, church, and work. I knew I needed to figure out my true identity in Christ and that’s when my sister in law introduced me to YWAM and my life took off at rocket speed….I quit my job, packed my 70L backpack and let myself be drawn away by God to the ends of the earth to re-center my life around Him. I did my AW80 DTS in 2011 and from New Zealand to Africa to Israel I was blown away by the love our Father has for His children and I feel so honored to be a part of spreading that love to the nations!
The mission statement of YWAM, to know God and make Him known, has brought me back to staff the 2012 AW80 school. I’m passionate about knowing Him much more, walking alongside others as they do the same and ultimately making Him known to people all over the planet! My favorite verses are from Hebrews 12:1-3…and it’s my hope that we run this race for Him and enjoy every minute of it!
School Staff
Adrian // 24 // Hawaii, USA
Aloooooohhhaaa… I am from the garden isle Kaua’i. I like the sound of the ukulele and bonfires on the beach… i love to explore new lands and meet the people who inhabit them experiencing the beauties of their culture…
I’ve been missioning it for 3 years now.. i did the HOLOHOLO DTS in Makapala at the island breeze base on the Big Island in 2009. Straight afterwards i went on to the Principles of Redeeming Cultures School in Kona, HI. Which then lead me to join with Island Breeze Kona sharing the songs and dances of the pacific with a heart to celebrate and honor the diversity of cultures in the world. We were one of three teams in the Impact World Tours, these huge evangelical campaigns. A great platform to share the gospel with hundreds of thousand of people world-wide. i most recently was apart of the first Circuit Riders school of revival in Kona in 2011, where i along with 300 other students pressed in for a greater passion to follow Christ and a grander vision of what the King wants to do through his people.
I live to see people experience the father heart of God… to see people take hold with boldness their identity in Christ.. and live out the redeemed and glorious life He has called them to.. and for me in this season now it’s to be a part of AW80 DTS… I look forward to your fellowship as we see the Kingdom advanced throughout the earth… SHAKAS
School Staff
Susie // 23 // Manitoba, CAN
My love for the world began when I was 10 and my mom got a calendar of amazing places around the world. I knew that I wanted to go and see those places. My love for Jesus was a slower progression but in 2009 I began to have this longing to know if there was more to life then work and Sunday Christianity.
In 2010 I attended the AW80 in Oxford. God changed my heart, my mind and my life. I learnt who God is and that He has a plan for me. My heart is to see God restore broken young people into a passionate, on fire relationship with him. And use me in the process.
I am excited to see what God has for me in this next season. Taking life one step at a time, one challenge at a time. Growing, Learning, and having an awesome time. I look forward to building relationships and lifelong friendships.
Things I love: God, Friends and Family, Traveling, adventure, hiking, playing board games – example: Settlers of Catan, Laughing, Coffee, Food.
“Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God”~ William Carey
