At the start of this month, we welcomed 101 students to our campus to participate in four different UofN schools. As we have been serving in anticipation of Kairos moments in 2026, this quarter is one of those moments. In fact, this is one of the largest April intakes we have ever had!
During Holy Week, we took time to reflect on the Feast of Firstfruits, an Old Testament celebration set within the Passover week. On this day, God’s people would bring sheaves of barley, the first crops to break through the ground, to the temple. There, they would wave them before the Lord, thanking Him in advance, in faith and in hope, for the abundant harvest to come. It was on this very day that Jesus rose from the grave. That Kairos moment became the firstfruits of the new life we are invited to walk in.
As we hold these two actualities together, we are filled with gratitude for the students God has brought to YWAM Lausanne, young people growing in discipleship and biblical engagement, who will then be sent out as workers into His harvest. We trust that this is a firstfruits moment of what we have been praying and contending for: that each quarter at YWAM Lausanne would host over 100 students, with at least 25 participating in the DTS.
This image helps us see our work in its proper perspective, just as it did for farmers in ancient Israel. Farming barley required hard work and diligence, yet they understood their dependence on God to bring the harvest. Year after year, they were invited to practice this rhythm as a declaration of hopeful trust. That is what we are doing this month, serving diligently, working faithfully, while remaining fully dependent on God for breakthrough.
Like most of you, we are not barley farmers, yet each of us has a God-given vocation we are invited to live out by faith. What hopes are you carrying right now, where you are holding, in the present, the sheaf of a promise?
Upcoming The Way DTS
In 2026, we have redesigned two of our DTS's to include a stronger Bible focus. The Way DTS—an 8–9-month program offered in French, English, and Spanish, that packages the Discipleship Training Schools with Discipleship Bible school. This program equips students through intentional missional travel to follow Jesus and to engage deeply with His Word, forming a foundation for lasting growth, fruitfulness, and intimacy with God.
This format applies to the Spanish/English DTS in August and the French/English DTS in October.
We have scholarships available for Friends of YWAM Lausanne Alumni!
Around the Table
One of our DTS outreach teams is criss-crossing Europe by train, doing evangelism on the streets, in cafes, in the hostels, and while they travel! By the end of their trip, they will have visited 8 nations and 10 cities. We believe God is stirring the hearts of many in Europe to turn to him once again. Here is an encouraging story from the team!
"In Prague, our team stayed at a hostel for a few days before heading to Berlin. One morning, after praying together, a man named Rajesh approached us. He had seen us pray and wondered if we were believers.
Rajesh, from India, who was struggling in his faith, shared that he was going through a painful season in a relationship, and that he took these days off. He joined us for breakfast, opened up deeply, and asked us to pray for him. As he spoke, he was moved to tears. It was clear how much he needed that moment.
We met him again the next day and spent more time together. Right in the middle of his struggle and uncertainty, he found the support, community, and a voice for him and God.
Since meeting us, he decided to make significant changes in his life. Rajesh said, "I now want to choose to put my faith first". We are still praying for him as he trusts that God’s way is best.
What a privilege to step into this moment, in this hostel, at this time, and witness God bringing hope right when it was needed most."
Thank You
Thank you for your generous prayer and financial support as we step into 2026.
For some time, it has been on our hearts to develop a fund to support staff who find themselves in urgent financial need. All our staff trust God for their provision and are supported by teams of individuals who believe in their calling and invest in the Kingdom through them. At this time, there are several pressing needs among our staff that we would love to help meet.
Our desire is to have resources available to help carry these burdens during difficult seasons, as they continue to trust God for breakthrough. We are deeply thankful for the team God is building at YWAM Lausanne and would love to offer a practical hand up to those in need. If you would like to contribute to this fund, you can give a one-time or recurring gift here. Please include “Staff Assistance Fund” with your donation.
