Lifeteams offers the unique opportunity to live under one roof with a community of passionate young adults who share your heart for God – and keep you accountable to “living justly” in everyday life. Living in a community with 10 – 12 others for 8 months gives you the opportunity to practice fully authentic faith that dissolves the separation between theory and life, and challenges you like you’ve never been challenged before. Sometimes personal spirituality is best worked out in the everyday stuff of life. At the end of Lifeteams, you will know why God thinks we need each other if we’re really going to make a difference.
At Lifeteams, we’re not content to have you parachute into ministry and be gone. We want you to walk in the door and experience what it’s like to go back week after week. Students are matched in teams of two with a youth work program in the Greater Vancouver area. Two days a week you will learn about building relationships that matter while working side by side with veteran youth missionaries. Go to Greater Vancouver Youth Unlimited’s website to check out some of the places you might find yourself.
RELATIONAL YOUTH WORK
EXPERIENCE-BASED LEARNING
Lifeteams is about finding yourself in the middle of learning and not even knowing “class” has started. Experiences that develop courage, dependence on God and servanthood are followed by group debriefing times where the learning moves beyond the mind and into the spirit. Exposure to everything from the realities of inner city street life to negotiating the dark tunnels of a mountain cave will challenge you to stretch beyond your comfort zone and move from self-reliance to greater reliance on God.
INTERACTIVE INSTRUCTION
Two days a week are focused on exploring and developing core foundational ideas and practices in the areas of spiritual formation, soul care, interpersonal communication, and skills for youth outreach. College level courses aimed at expanding your outlook, knowledge, and ability are paired with practical, interactive assignments that help put feet on the head knowledge. In the 8 months you will have completed the equivalent of one year of fully transferable Bible College courses.
A lot happens in a week at Lifeteams. Mentorship provides an opportunity to have someone who has walked with God for a lot of years journey alongside you for a while, challenging and supporting you as you process the invitations of Jesus. The program is intentionally small to allow for individual input on many levels and mentorship is an essential part of each week.
MENTORSHIP
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
God seems to think that what we know has a pretty important role in what we do – and we agree. Lifeteams courses happen in and out of the classroom in a variety of settings. Whether you’re the academic type or not, if you are teachable and open to God shaping every part of you Lifeteams just might be a fit.
Our Certificate in Youth Outreach offers 30 credit hours of practical training, transferable to major Bible Colleges across Canada. That’s about 1 year’s worth of transfer credit (*amount varies based on institution) if you chose to continue on to a degree or use Lifeteams as a specialty year in the middle of your degree. Through 10 courses and a practicum, students are provided with ideas and tools to take on the invitations God offers through the rest of the program. Here’s a snapshot of each course.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
Are you and Lifeteams a good fit? Here’s what we are looking for in a Lifeteams student:
An intentional relationship with Jesus
We’re not looking for “casual Christians” who are content with less than what God has for them. We want people who are intentionally seeking God – who are making space in their life for God to act and are restless to know Him better. You don’t have to have it all together, but you’ve got to have it in gear.
A passion for stepping into the lives of others
Do people in need break your heart? Do you desire to have your hands follow your heart? Do you have a deep conviction that Jesus can make all the difference in a person’s life?
A love for young people
Youth Unlimited/Youth for Christ is about building relationships with young people because we genuinely like being with them. Lifeteams isn’t simply about ministry – it’s about youth ministry. We’re looking for people who believe that young people can make a difference and are incredibly precious to God.
A desire to learn and grow
We’re looking for people with a teachable spirit who appreciate learning through focused mentorship. The flow of learning tends to happen through instruction, discussion, practice, and feedback – all in the context of community. Our hope is that through the process students will grow in wisdom, not only in knowledge and that this wisdom would be seen in the way they live.
A sense of adventure
Responding to change and opportunity with enjoyment and personal flexibility is important in both a youth worker and a Lifeteams student. It’s not about ability or proficiency – it’s about eagerness to experience whatever is around the corner and trust God who is on the adventure with you.
Commitment to the value of community
Living in community is an intentional part of the Lifeteams program. Students consistently name community as one of the most valuable parts of their personal learning and character development. It’s more than living in the same place; it’s living out genuine faith side by side with people who are different than you.
Age 19 or older
We will consider a mature 18-year-old with previous youth leadership experience on an individual applicant basis. However, most of our students have had at least a year out of high school to experience life and Godliness in a more independent context. Applicants must have a grade 12 diploma unless special permission is granted.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
If this list resonates with you – apply. If you feel a tap, tug, or push to check us out – apply. If you want to have fun, be challenged, go deeper with God, learn useful skill sets, and be part of a growing community of people taking the plunge to live intentionally – apply. If you know someone who is and wants all these things – encourage them to apply.
P.S.
If the focus of the learning experience at Lifeteams isn't a fit for you, you might want to check out
Lifehouse School of Discipleship is an immersive 14-week gap program focused on
experiencing community, growing in faith and exploring life. It’s a fresh start in an atmosphere of acceptance, adventure, prayer and wonder mentored by leaders whose example you can follow as they follow Jesus. Check out the Lifehouse site for more info.