About YWAM Salem

We believe all people were created to know God and to dare to believe He can change history through our life. Yet there are still 3 billion people in the world who have never heard the name of Jesus, not to mention the countless Christians who feel disconnected from God’s story...

We’re on a mission to change that.

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Who are we?

Located on 35 acres in Oregon’s capital city, YWAM Salem is a non-profit, international and interdenominational Christian organization focusing on missions training, local and global outreach, and coaching young people through our flagship program, The Discipleship Training School (DTS). We are an operating location of an international missions movement called YWAM (pronounced “why-wham”), or Youth with a Mission.

We want to help you discover your passions and gifts, providing channels for you to use those to serve God in the world.

Our flagship program, the Discipleship Training School (DTS) invites you to participate in global missions via short-term outreaches that meet felt needs of communities and introduce people to Jesus.

Learn more about DTS

Need a reset? Spend your gap year with YWAM Salem, centered on serving others and discovering your gifts. It all starts with our flagship program, the Discipleship Training School (DTS).

Gap Year Opportunities

DTS is missions 101, but what comes next? We offer university level training in the areas of counseling, biblical studies, leadership, and beyond. The YWAM model of experiential learning will equip you for God's call on your life.

Missions Training Courses

Our call to make Jesus known is both global and local. We desire to connect you to a diverse set of community outreach opportunities in our city whether you have a free evening, a few weeks, or even months.

City Impact Ministries

Meet the YWAM Salem Staff Team

We’re a vibrant, multi-generational, multi-cultural staff team deeply impacted by Jesus’ mandate to, “Go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:18-20).

By the numbers

40+ operating years

Our campus has been training and sending missionaries since 1978.

80+ staff

We have 80+ staff and volunteers in Salem representing 10+ nations

45+ fieldworkers

We have 45+ long-term overseas missionaries serving in 8 different nations

60+ Nations Impacted

We've sent outreaches to 60+ nations sharing the gospel with thousands!

20+ Ministries Founded

We foster an entrepreneurial spirit, with 20+ ministries pioneered and sustained by YWAM Salem alumni

50+ Students Per Year

We facilitate the discipleship of over 50 students per year.

And we're growing.

So much so that we're on a mission to expand our facilities.

Meet Our Leadership Team

Samuel Matthias

Campus Leader

Samuel did his DTS at YWAM Salem in 2005. He is originally from Germany and has been leading our campus since 2013.

Amos Hathway

TRAINING DIRECTOR

Amos did his DTS in 1994 in Kona, HI as well as many YWAM secondary training schools and lead DTS for many years at multiple campuses.

Vicky Hofmann

COUNCIL MEMBER

Vicky Hofmann did one of the first DTS's at YWAM Salem in 1980! She was a missionary in Ukraine for many years and currently directs our counseling ministries and schools.

Lachlan McIntosh

SCHOOL OF BIBLICAL STUDIES LEADER

Lachlan did his DTS in Costa Rica in 2006 and then served in YWAM Taiwan for 15 years with the School of Biblical Studies. He is married to Analia and they have four young boys.

Minho Han

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Minho did his DTS in 2005 in Kona. He is originally from Korea and has been on staff since 2007. He has led many outreaches to countries all over the world. He currently leads all our operational departments ensuring a good learning environment for all our students.

Denise Schlegel

Training Director

Denise did her DTS in Salem in 2010 and has been on staff since 2011. She has lead many DTSes and currently ensures the quality of all our missions training courses as one of our Training Directors. She's also a member of the West Coast resource team for DTS.

Marie Evensen

COUNCIL MEMBER

Marie did her DTS in Salem in 2011 and has been on staff since 2012. She directed our Ropes Course for many years, is involved in DTS staff, and lead outreaches for our many schools.

Juan Vilches

SALEM ROPES DIRECTOR

TBA

Joy Vilches

HUMAN RESOURCES

TBA

Keep Exploring

Learn more about YWAM International

YWAM Salem is part of a global movement of missions that's been around since 1960. What is YWAM international all about? What is the greater community YWAM Salem is a part of? Read the full story.

The Story of YWAM

Learn about our University

Pursue your university degree through YWAM's unique, global university. When you complete a missions training course at YWAM Salem you receive credit with The University of the Nations.

University of the Nations

Get involved

Connect to the beating heart of global missions with our bustling volunteer and staff programs. Volunteer commitments range from 1-3 months and there are no prerequisites! If you've done a YWAM DTS, you can apply to join staff for a minimum 2-year commitment.

→ Learn more about volunteering

→ Interested in joining staff?

It all starts with DTS

Do a Discipleship Training School, YWAM’s flagship missionary training course. We do a lot of things at YWAM Salem, but this is definitely our favorite.

Lecture Phase

12 Weeks in Oregon

Outreach Phase

10 Week International Trip

What is DTS? First, you’ll spend 3 months getting to know God amongst a vibrant Christian community and the inspiring beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Then you’ll embark on a life-changing 2-month overseas missions trip, focused on making God known. A new DTS starts every September, January, April, and June! Interested in learning more? Submit your info below and we'll contact you shortly!

We want to help you discover your passions and gifts and provide channels for you to use those to serve God in the world.

About

Connect

Get Started with YWAM Training

Secondary Schools and Seminars

We have a variety of ministries that serve our city of Salem and provide ways for you to get involved in missions locally.

Featured Ministries

Student Tuition Payments

Give to YWAM Salem

General Payments

Making Multiple Gifts/Payments Per Year?

We want to help you discover your passions and gifts and provide channels for you to use those to serve God in the world.

About

Connect

Get Started with YWAM Training

Secondary Schools and Seminars

We have a variety of ministries that serve our city of Salem and provide ways for you to get involved in missions locally.

Featured Ministries

About YWAM Salem

Who are we?

We want to help you discover your passions and gifts, providing channels for you to use those to serve God in the world.

Meet the YWAM Salem Staff Team

By the numbers

40+ operating years

80+ staff

45+ fieldworkers

60+ Nations Impacted

20+ Ministries Founded

50+ Students Per Year

And we're growing.

Meet Our Leadership Team

Keep Exploring

Learn more about YWAM International

The Story of YWAM

Learn about our University

Get involved

It all starts with DTS

Training

About

City Ministries

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