GAP YEAR

Why A Gap Year?

There are only a few times in your life that you can put your studies or career on hold and grow as a person and gain God’s perspective on your life. Press pause on college or work and come do a missions based gap year with YWAM. Don’t miss out in getting wrapped up in God’s incredible plan for your life and getting involved in reaching the lost with His love. Learn about the character of God, get discipled, and be transformed as you are immersed in other nations and cultures.

Discover Passions

Going to college/university can be a helpful tool in preparing for a career, but what if you want to:

Grow in maturity
Have more life experience & develop useful skills
Travel & adventure
Find purpose & experience what you think your passions are

During our Gap Year, you will have the chance to do all of these things. You will also be mentored and encouraged to pursue your own passions.

About 75% of college students change their major at least once because the degree they started did not meet expectations they went in with. Take time to confirm what your passionate about instead of rushing to complete a degree.

5 Months of Growth

In Discipleship Training School (DTS)

Start your Gap Year with a Discipleship Training School which is a life-changing five-month program that builds a solid foundation of personal growth and relationship with Jesus. It starts with three-months of biblical teaching, real-life application, and ongoing discipleship, all geared towards helping you know God better. Then you’ll take your growing love for Jesus and share it with others on an two-month overseas mission trip.

Whether you’re passionate about equine therapy, children at risk, or simply knowing Jesus, we have a DTS that’s perfect for you. Check out our DTS Electives Page for what we offer.

Five More Months Of Being Equipped

Support Raising Internship

Once you complete your DTS, you have the option of extending your Christian Gap Year to a full eleven months by returning for our Support Raising Internship.

We've seen so many people who are passionate about missions but have never been coached in how to raise full missionary support. After a few years of barely getting by—eating ramen and doing DoorDash—they often burn out.

This internship is loaded with practical tools for becoming a fully supported missionary, opening countless doors for your next steps. It's a daring adventure to live with the radical faith that God is good.

Additionally, you will be able to experience more aspects of missions, deepen relationships, learn more about trauma care, and explore more of who God made you to be.

What People Say They Got Out of a Gap Year

84%

Said They Acquired Useful Skills On Their Gap Year

77%

People Found Purpose For Their Lives In A Gap Year

97%

Said A Gap Year Increased Their Maturity

73%

Gap Year Increased Their "Readiness" For College/Career

College Is Expensive If You Don't Use The Degree

Do you know someone burdened by college debt for an unfinished degree, or one from a major they're now unsure about? Do you know someone who applied to college primarily due to pressure from their family, friends, or high school?

Here's the reality: Up to half of entering college students are undeclared, and a third will change their major at least once.

Instead of starting a degree based on assumptions or peer pressure—incurring debt, paying for books, and sitting through lectures for courses you don't even want to learn—why not choose clarity first? A YWAM Gap Year offers a chance to gain perspective, narrow down your passions, and grow in confidence about the career path the Lord is truly calling you to pursue.