What is the vision behind Access?

The teen years are such an important time in our lives. Teens are making decisions about how they want to live, about if and how to relate to God, and about what they want to do after high school. Access was designed to help teens catch hold of God's vision for their lives, to encourage them that they can do great things with God right now. Access is built on the belief that God works through, talks to, and gives leadership to youth. Though society tends to look at youth as irresponsible, rebellious and untrustworthy, God has entrusted the accomplishment of His works to them. Our goal is to empower our students to walk in the calling God has placed on their lives.

Essentially, the Access program is a discipleship program and a leadership training program. We want to see the students develop a closer relationship with God and have the proof that He speaks to them. They should grow in character and see themselves as God sees them.

A changed heart learns to see the world as God sees it. As we know Him, we also want to make Him known. Access prepares your teen to make a difference!

Access seeks to train leaders. God has used youth throughout history as His instigators of change. God is continuously looking for a generation who is seeking His will. A generation who will not accept things the way they are. We want to see such a generation raised up in the Caribbean that will act with God to transform their families, schools, churches and nation.

In order to see nations changed we need a generation world-wide to rise up and seek God for transformation. Our vision is to unite youth world-wide to live with the same purpose of transforming their world.

How is Access Organized?

Access is in two parts: bootcamp in Wisconsin and outreach in the Caribbean. Bootcamp is learning about who God is and how to go deeper with Him. It’s worship, teaching, eating, working and hanging out together. It's also time to prepare for outreach. Outreach is where we make what we learned REAL by sharing it with others and living like Jesus. We go to the Caribbean, doing anything from neighborhood cleanup, helping at orphanages, praying with people in the streets, playing soccer, or doing performing arts. Past years have taken us to Belize, Barbados, Jamaica, and Grenada.

Access is led by Paul and Monika who have led several outreaches before, teams of teens and young adults. Additional staff include other YWAM missionaries and graduates of our missions training programs. The ratio of students to staff is generally 3:1. It is our goal that we can have personal discipleship time with each of the teens several times a week.

What is the Cost?

The cost for Access is $925 plus the cost of airfare to our outreach location. Teens usually do their own fundraising by mowing lawns, running garage sales, writing letters to friends and family, babysitting, etc.

We’ll keep updating the Access site as more of the specific details come together about this summer's trip. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page or send us an email with your specific questions. We're happy to help.

Pray with your teen to see if this is the right step for him or her this summer. We're excited about the things that God has done in the lives of the teens who have come with us in the past, and in the lives of those we've met and worked with in the Caribbean.

If you have more questions, you can email us at access@ywammadison.org or call us at 608-255-0500.