School Leader
Gabriel // 26 // Colorado, USA
Salut! My name is Gabriel. I can’t explain how excited I am to staff this BDTS, but one thing is to be known: I’m not a kiwi! I’m coming from the ripping land of Colorado – but was born and raised in San
Diego, California, USA. After finishing university in So. Cali the Lord called me into ministry and off to France I went. The Spirit revolutionized my perspective on life, talents, possessions, gifts, and most importantly the love of the Father towards His children.
My motivation is to bring the light of Christ into all aspects of life and to encourage you in all that you do. I’m currently loving the gift of life and aim to unite my two passions: sharing what Jesus has done for me and climbing. I pray to see you here on base and at the crag!
Remember to “seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you”.
À Bientôt!
School Leader
Nicki // 27 // Oregon, USA
I’m an Oregon born, Montana loving, joyfully optimistic adventurer for God! I love to sing off key, hike to mountains & lakes, spend time with friends, take unknown roads & get a little lost, jump in puddles, go on missions trips and travel.
I grew up in Oregon without any knowledge of Jesus in my life, but was strongly pursued by the Father. I gave my heart to Jesus when I was 19 and have been in love ever since! He guided me through my years at the University of Montana where I received a degree in Recreation Resource Management. Yes, I am drawn to the outdoors in all aspects of life. I am excited about backpacking, camping, hiking, whitewater rafting and being in God’s creation!
Soon after Uni, I desired to set apart my life and know God more- so I journeyed to New Zealand for the Backpackers DTS in 2007. Jesus broke me, healed me, challenged me beyond what I thought I could handle, cared for me gently and awakened my JOY!! All this happened because I was open to the Father’s will. I returned to New Zealand to staff the Backpacker DTS and didn’t leave for two years. During this time, I discovered a hunger for reading the Bible and sharing with unbelievers about Jesus. I learned trust, obedience, discipline, and found hope in Jesus. To love and know God and to radically share Him with the lost and traveling is now a lifelong passion. I am blessed to continue this journey as a school leader. I hope you will join us here.
“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5
School Staff
Jordan // 24 // Oklahoma, USA
Hello! I come from the incredible rolling hills of Oklahoma, USA.
I graduated from Oklahoma State University (Go Cowboys) in May of 2009, then headed to California for the summer before jumping on a plane for New Zealand to do the 2009 Backpackers DTS.
As anyone who has done a DTS with YWAM can tell you, it changes your life forever. You realize so much about the Lord, people, life, and yourself. I staffed the last backpackers school and am looking forward to this school. Come join our sweet staff team for an awesome five months! I am stoked to come back again and be a leader, to grow with you, and hangout! So get ready, let’s go and tell others of how He has changed our lives!
School Staff
Rebecca // 20 // Manitoba, CAN
Kia ora! I’m Rebecca, and I love Indian food! But more than that, I love spending time with my Papa, the King of Kings himself. I did the 2009 backpackers DTS and haven’t really looked back since, but took a road on which my box in which I had put God in was totally smashed. I was privileged to staff the last backpackers school and co-lead an outreach to India.
I’m amped to be back in New Zealand, a country that has been like a second home the last 2 years. I’m currently in a season that words cannot describe. Simply put, I’m hanging out with the Holy Spirit. I’m learning that worship is service and service is worship; that I can be both Mary and Martha. I’m finally grasping what worship is all about, and I’ve been ignited deep within-a flame that never seems to dwindle, for it’s the Eternal Flame.
I’m delighted to staff another school and I look forward to hearing your stories and telling you mine, and doing life to together, to put it simply-for I am a simple folk.
Until then, may the Lord bless you and keep you, make His face shine upon you, be gracious unto you, and give you constant peace.
School Staff
Jessie // 20 // Alaska, USA
Hey Jessie here! I was born in Colorado and raised in the glorious state of Alaska! I lived in a blue two-story igloo, and rode dog sleds to school …naw just kidding. Lived in an amazing one-story Christian home, with my parents and 2 siblings and drove a truck to school.
I love Jesus more than anything, and His creation shows just a portion of how awesome He is! I love hiking, camping, spending time with friends and snowboarding. My love for God and snowboarding led me to New Zealand for the Snowboarders DTS last year and it changed my life.
My time in New Zealand didn’t feel complete, my desire has been to come back and staff. God led me back, but this time to staff the Backpackers! I’m super stoked for this school and to meet and get to know you all. I’m even more excited to watch God pour out His amazingness on you and me!
School Staff
Mette // 21 // Denmark
I’m Mette and I was born and raised in Denmark – the great homecountry of the Vikings, GRRR… !
My greatest passions are God, adventure and music and I discovered through my DTS how these things could be combined in an awesome way. I discovered how life with God can truly be an adventure if you’re willing to leave everything else behind and grasp what he has for you fully!
2 years ago I was getting more and more restless and bored in school and my christian life. I wanted to go out and travel the world. I wanted adventure and I longed to experience more of God – so I decided to takea year off when I had graduated to do that, before going back to uni. I ended up doing the Backpackers DTS 2010-11 and got completely wrecked for the ordinary! I got new life transforming revelation on my father’s love for me and how I live and move and have my being in him (acts 17:28). So instead of going back to study I decided to lay down all my plans and grasp my father’s dreams and plans for me – and now I’m back! Super-stoked to be staffing and serving, making new friendships and to see what God has for this school!
School Staff
Matt // 21 // Saskatchewan, CAN
I come from a little known place right smack in the middle of Canada. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan is where I spent most of my time growing up. One day, 3 years ago, I wandered out of the prairie fields onto a plane that took me to the other side of the world to NZ where everything changed for me. I
finished my DTS and loved it so much that I had to come back. I joined last year’s backpackers staff team and had a crazy ride. I am so ready to come back to NZ and be reunited with my adopted YWAM family and to join in on the journey of those who want to get up close with their maker.
I love to be outdoors whether it be on the prairies or in the mountains. I’ve spent my last 3 summers working at a Bible camp and loving it.When I’m not doing that I work in the construction field.
I can not wait to start another adventure and journey on with like-minded followers.
