Mercy Ministry Discipleship Training School

Mercy Ministries is that area of Christian service that focuses on addressing other people’s needs in practical ways. Generally mercy ministry projects are aimed at people who for whatever reason have fallen through the safety net, and are struggling to survive. Such projects can cover a variety of scope such as, the giving of medical or agricultural aid, emergency relief, community development, counseling, construction work, micro enterprise, practical acts of kindness, orphanage work, homeless ministry, helping people with AIDS, ministering to landmine victims or prostitutes, health education, refugee work, establishment of preschools and other educational facilities and much much more.

The Mercy Ministry DTS is part of the YWAM training program and has an emphasis on reaching out to the poor and needy. These schools are excellent learning opportunities for people who want to serve God in practical ways in the area of mercy ministries in the medium to long term.

The Mercy Ministry DTS was first designed and run by David Skeat who ran these schools in Albury Australia before moving to Melbourne where he now works as YWAM Australia’s National Director for Mercy Ministries. The Melbourne Mercy Ministry DTS is the re-establishment of this program and the January school will be directed by David.

The Mercy Ministry DTS program is longer than the conventional YWAM DTS as it takes on extra subjects that are pertinent to mercy ministries. Lectures are led by people who have a proven background in mercy ministries or their field of expertise. Lecturers for the January school include;

• Steve Goode – International Director for YWAM Mercy Ministries International
• Steve Aherne – National Director YWAM Australia.
• Steve Gumaer – Director of Partners in Thailand
• David Skeat – National Director Mercy Ministries – YWAM Australia
• Kathy Kennedy – Founder Primary Health Care School and other medical ministries – YWAM Perth
• Paul Richards – Director YWAM South Sydney
• David Cowie – International Director – Marinereach

Possible school outreach locations include, Australia, East Timor, Cambodia, Burma and Thailand.

This is a live in school the cost of which is $3250 (Australian Dollars) This fee covers lecture costs, board and accommodation. Outreach fees will be extra depending on the outreach location.

The school will commence on January 31st and finish August 19th 2005.

Further information is available from YWAM Melbourne or the ARMS National Office.

An Application form is available here (PDF).