Kalynn's YWAM LA- BADTS Outreach

Hey friends and family!

I am SUPER excited to share with all of you in this next adventure! At the beginning of this year, the Lord used a couple friends to present to me a HUGE opportunity. On two different accounts, they mentioned briefly about a global movement called YWAM (Youth With A Mission). However, at the time, I had no understanding of what it really was, but the Holy Spirit was certainly stirring something in me. The time in between those two conversations, I had gone on a summer vacation with my family. Of course I had brought books with me, and once again, The Lord "highlighted" YWAM in my reading, "At Long Last" by: Erin Morris. (I would have forgotten about this detail, if it wasn't for Him leading me back to this book just recently). I soon did my research and discovered a mutual friend in YWAM's pictures on Facebook. Needless to say, I contacted her with some questions. Not only did she help me understand, but she shared her heart for their mission and it encouraged me to further pursue this by applying. I found out that she was on staff with YWAM and led the Beauty Arise DTS (Discipleship Training School) at the campus in Colorado. That’s when I learned about this specific course and I. JUST. KNEW.

 “What is the Beauty Arise DTS?

The vision of Beauty Arise is to carry the truth about beauty, identity, and value to girls and women in every culture. In Beauty Arise we are passionate about seeing girls and women become who God created them to be and we are looking for students who share that passion. The BADTS is for women who are serious about furthering that vision in the world. Students can expect to be trained as leaders who engage with the women in their lives and boldly minister the love of God to them. There will be exposure to various forms of ministry to women in different cultures such as serving backstage at fashion events in the city to spending time with women living on the streets of Skid Row. There will also be an emphasis on using social media as a tool to communicate truth.”
You can learn all about it by clicking here!




Many of you may know that I have struggled with eating disorders, self-esteem, and confidence since a very young age. (You can read more of my background story and especially of the Good News on my recent blog post here) In short, I believed the lies of the enemy; Satan’s sole purpose was to attack my truest identity {in Christ} and render me ineffective for building up the Kingdom of God. He may have won some battles, but my God is so good and He is so much bigger. What the enemy intended for evil, God is using for good- in order to bring it about as it is this day to save many people alive. (Gen. 50:20) I am a child of God. I am finding true freedom in Jesus. HE is my healer! I am more than a conqueror in Christ, who loves us! (Romans 8:37) Thank You Lord!

I am SO thankful and blessed by all of you who have helped me pray and have encouraged me to pursue the application process. I know the Lord has used you to confirm with specific scripture, also. On September 9th, I received a phone call from the staff at YWAM. They honored my courage to be honest about my struggles in my application, and so they wanted to make sure I was aware of some things and understood this wasn’t a retreat with professional counselors and therapists. I truly appreciated this as they have led me to seek deeper accountability and prayer within my church (especially up until the DTS begins). I do feel like I am walking into the strength and new life I have in Jesus, one step at a time! God is faithful! After being officially accepted, via e-mail, I have been receiving confirmation from the Lord. This is an open door that has given me a tremendous peace and I am SO excited!!

Starting January 7th 2017, I will be in LA for 3 months growing in my relationship with God within a community, and together we will be trained and equipped to do our part in the Great Commission. This is called the lecture phase and I will be paying for this myself. The next step is the outreach phase. And if it is His will, the next two months I will be a part of international, cross-cultural mission, spreading the Good News of the gospel to other women! This is where I am believing in faith for God’s provision. With Him, your prayers, and financial help, I will be able to reach others with God’s truth and the Gospel of Jesus Christ! I would deeply appreciate anything, as I know it is a sacrificial offering. Thank you for all you have done to help me thus far. You are all so very important to me and to God! He loves you so much!

With so much love,
Kalynn Smith