Ski and Snowboard

Leader

Alison - Canada

Ali is the ripe ol’ age of 29 (with approximately 4 grey hairs) and hails from Ontario, Canada! She is a crazy mix of both ‘deep & dorky’, which you will soon discover throughout the DTS!

In 2001, Ali graduated from college in Graphic Design, and after pursuing freelance design work for a season, she went on to complete some Bible College training in Canada through a program called Master’s Commission. After a few years of chasing the “American Dream” (or should we say “Canadian Dream”?) and dancing around the idea of pursuing full-time missions and ministry, Ali took the leap in 2005 and joined YWAM full-time. She completed the Performing Arts DTS in Kona, Hawaii, which took her on outreach to her father’s homeland of China in 2006. Through a series of interesting events, God brought her to New Zealand in 2006 to work as the Registrar at YWAM Oxford. In 2007, Ali joined the April AW80 DTS staff crew, leading worship, and leading an outreach team through the amazing continent of Africa. She returned to Oxford in 2008 to manage the office and assist with the running of the Basic Leadership School (BLS), when God suddenly re-directed her to lead the Ski +
Snowboarders DTS, of which she is super stoked about!!

Ali’s heart is to encourage, counsel, mentor and spur young people on to freedom in Christ and, ultimately, spiritual maturity. She is passionate to see every one on this DTS getting unshackled from their past, receiving a revelation of how valuable they are to God, living with a deeply-rooted hope and joy, kicking fear in the butt by making bold choices for their present & future, and then actively pursuing God’s heart and His dreams for the rest of their lives! Ali has seen the transforming hand of God at work in others’ lives, as well as her own, and truly believes that God is able to redeem every moment of our lives, no matter how painful they may be! Her life verse that has taken her through many tough times is Psalm 126:5, “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy!”
Ali loves having a creative outlet, whether that is through graphic design, interior decoration, art, playing guitar, writing music, singing, etc. She loves deep conversations, dancing around like a dork, organizing stuff, traveling and exploring beautiful places, and she is really excited about improving her snowboarding skillz (so, we’re expecting some of you to teach her some mad skillz! Fo shizzle!!!) For more on Ali, visit her official website: http://www.alisonlam.com

Staff

Andrew - New Zealand

Andrew and Angela completed their DTS in Hong Kong as a newly married couple (they’ve been married 20 years August 2008). Since then, Andrew has also completed the School of Biblical Studies at Living Springs in Christchurch, NZ. He has two awesome teenagers (Brooke 16 yrs and Josiah 15 yrs). They have lived in numerous places in New Zealand and currently call North Canterbury home. Andrew is a carpenter by trade but has done everything from working in a Share Registry to managing a Christian camp and convention centre.

Andrew staffed the Bible Core Course, here in Oxford, in 2007. He loves change and is always up for a challenge which is good as he is staffing the Snowboarders DTS this year, which means he will need to learn to snowboard!

Also known as “da Ninja,” Andrew loves chocolate, the great outdoors, finding fascinating new ways to change the status quo and more chocolate! (Note to future students: chocolate bribes work! Dairy Milk is the best bet.)

As well as staffing at YWAM, Andrew is currently studying by distance towards a Bachelor in Applied Theology in Youth Ministry. Believe it or not he still finds LOTS of TIME to pursue his passion of “hanging out” with people, encouraging them to live life to the max and becoming all that they can be.

Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Staff

Olivia - New Zealand

Hey I’m Olivia I am really excited to be staffing the SDTS this year.

I am really looking forward to seeing and being a part of all that the Lord has for each person during this school.

I was actually born and raised here in Oxford, I did do my DTS here which was the AW80 DTS in 2005 here. Then I went on to staff the AW80 in ‘06, then on the SDTS in ‘07 I completed the BLS.

I know that the Lord has shown me clearly to be staffing the SDTS again this year, so I am.

Staff

Michael - New Zealand

Hey there I’m Michael and I’m another one of the Kiwis on this school. I’m from Rangiora which is about half an hour down the road from the base and a place you may see many times during your time here.

I did my Snowboarding DTS in Colorado and went to Israel for my outreach. I only finished up about 5 weeks ago so I’m fresh out of it but amping for this next school. I have being snowboarding for a few seasons now but not super awesome at it, but I also love my sports and play rugby for my local club when I’m not boarding,and touch rugby in the summer, and I love Jesus in case you were wondering!

Staff

Jon - USA

Jon Farmer
Hey everyone, I’m Jon Farmer. I’m 22 years old, was born and raised in the beautiful snow capped mountain state of Colorado, and am pretty excited to be back here to help staff this year’s Snowboarders DTS at the loverly Oxford, New Zealand YWAM base where I did my own SDTS last year (2007). My outreach was to India, and I loved it. I came last year as a student not really knowing what to expect and was completely floored, God definitely ruined me for the ordinary. I look forward to growing in and sharing the passion God ignited in me for Him and His kingdom and His word, as well as some sweet as shredding.

Peace and love,
Fon Jarmer

Staff

Gretchen - USA

Gretchen completed the Boarder’s DTS in Denver, Colorado in 2007 and went on outreach to Bosnia and Croatia. Later that year, she completed the Phase 2 school of leadership, also at YWAM Denver. Now she is super stoked to be on staff here in New Zealand for the SDTS!

Gretchen loves snowboarding (obviously), chocolate, her fatty cat Butter, Taco Bell(which is unfortunately not available in NZ), public embarrassment, God, missions, and seeing young people rising up to serve God. Besides the Taco Bell part, YWAM Oxford is a rad mixture of all of these loves.

Seriously though, I love seeing lives changed and young people going out and doing awesome things for God. I want my life to be one of dropping everything else for God and showing others the overwhelming joy that comes with following Him with all of your heart. My goal is for people to see Jesus in my heart without me even having to say a word, but rather by the life I lead and the actions I take! God is going to use our generation for awesome things!