A New Chapter: Cape Town

Hello Friends!

If you haven’t heard the news yet, this August I am making the move from Charlotte, NC, to Cape Town, South Africa. I will be joining on staff with Youth With A Mission Muizenberg. I am going to be taking part in an 18-month program called the Experiencing the Word DTS/SBS. Here’s how it works:

The first 6 months is a two-part school, called the Discipleship Training School or DTS. Me and my fellow staff and students will spend 3 months in Cape Town, learning about who God is, his love for all people, and how we can show that love to everyone around us. Each week a different speaker will come in and talk about a topic. we will discuss topics from character and nature of God, Holy Spirit, cost of discipleship, etc. We will then leave South Africa, and I will spend 3 months leading a team which will be doing practical ministry. Depending on where we go we could be doing anything from sharing the gospel door to door, speaking in churches, to helping feed the poor. I do not know yet where I will be for those 3 months, but I hope to stay within Africa!

After I arrive back in Cape Town I will have a month off to recharge and regain my energy to be fully ready to start the next part of the journey, the School of Biblical Studies! This school, also known as SBS, is going to be a 10-month school where I will read the bible five times. The way this is done is taking it on one book at a time. We will take each book and understand it through the lens of the time period and culture of when it was written, and how it applies today. At the end of the 10 months, there will be a 5 week outreach followed by 3 weeks of debrief.

As a full time staff member with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) I live completely off of the generosity and support of others. The next 18 months is going to be such an exciting time, and I am looking for people who want to partner with me on this journey. While I am serving with YWAM my goal is to raise $1,000 per month. That money will cover living expenses, food, transportation, insurance, and all needs while living in South Africa.

I am excited to say that I already have $200 per month committed over the next 18 months, which leaves only $800 more per month! If you are interested in supporting me financially on a monthly basis, please let me know! Regardless of how big or small the amount is, I am grateful for any support you can give.

In order to go back to South Africa, I need to apply for a 3-year Volunteer Staff Visa at the South African Consulate in New York City. I am making plans to be in New York This June, so please pray the application process goes smoothly, and that all goes well!

To all who have supported me in the past, thank you for your generosity, it is because of you that I have been able to have such an amazing experience with YWAM! I am looking forward for what the future holds, and can’t wait to share how God uses me for his kingdom. I look forward to sharing again soon!

Brian J. Emery