Intro:
Jesus calls us to "make disciples of all nations." Youth Hostel Ministry is an answer to that call. Ever since Lee Howard first felt compassion for traveling students in 1970, Wheaton College and the Office of Christian Outreach have together mobilized over six-hundred young people for a truly unique evangelism experience: penetrating the lives of intelligent, sophisticated, and open–minded traveling individuals with sincere, one–on–one testimony.
In a typical interaction both the Wheaton Student and a fellow traveler leave any given conversation as changed people or otherwise feeling hearts wrenched with the pain of life’s injustices expressed through trusting conversation.
Many past YHMers agree that this ministry marks their single biggest trial in life. Hardly any find it easy or luxurious. This ministry fits Wheaton College.
What better person to present the gospel in this context than a Wheaton student, one simultaneously studying theology and physics, bible and philosophy, art history and Christian formation? Who else should help others find identity than one who has identity in Christ?
This ministry fits our goal to become whole and effective Christians. We cannot be whole without believing Christ’s instruction to follow him. We cannot be effective without actually following Christ as he makes disciples of all nations.