Family Discipleship Training School - YWAM Chico

08/24/2026

❤️ Meet James & Dawn Sommerville | Family DTS Leaders! ❤️

Last up in introducing our 2026 Family DTS Team, meet James & Dawn Sommerville from Canada! 🇨🇦

James & Dawn oversee Family Ministries and lead Family DTS at YWAM Chico. They’ve been married for almost 34 years and have three grown children and four wonderful grandchildren. ❤️

Their YWAM journey began in 2006 with a Crossroads DTS right here in Chico and an outreach to Guatemala. They stayed on staff for a few years. After many years away, God called them back with a deep love for YWAM Chico, its God-given calling, and a heart to serve what He is doing in this next season.

They’re passionate about seeing marriages strengthened, families grow closer to God and one another, and every member of the family discover their place in God’s purposes. ❤️

They’re excited for all God has in store for the 2026 Family DTS and the families He is bringing together for this season! ❤️

🎶 Fun fact: Last year, James began writing and recording songs inspired by his journey with God and what He has placed on his heart, and Dawn has proudly been his biggest fan from the beginning! ❤️

08/23/2026

❤️ Meet the Sivils Family | Family DTS Staff! ❤️

Next up in introducing our 2026 Family DTS Staff Team, meet the Sivils family! 🇺🇸

Rich & Darja have four beautiful children: Joshua (10), Ruth (7), Eliana (5), and Alorah (3). They met and raised their family in Alaska before beginning a new adventure three years ago. Darja was born in Russia and grew up in Germany, while Rich is originally from Arizona.

Darja began her YWAM journey in Kona, Hawaii, in 2013. After ten years of marriage, Rich & Darja felt God calling them to do a DTS together as a family, which they did last year right here at YWAM Chico! ❤️ Now they’re back, this time to walk alongside and disciple other families as part of our Family DTS staff team.

The Sivils love spending time with people and making them feel loved and at home. Rich will keep everyone laughing with his easygoing and funny personality, Darja will probably feed you a delicious homemade meal, and their kids will happily tell you all about their latest adventures! 😄

They love being outdoors, traveling, and simply spending time together as a family.

And Rich has a degree in mining engineering, but these days he’s traded building heaps of coal for building up disciples! 😄

✈️ Fun fact: The Sivils have been nomads for the past three years and have taken more than 30 round trip flights as a family over the last decade!

We’re so thankful God brought the Sivils family back to YWAM Chico to be part of our 2026 Family DTS staff team! ❤️

08/23/2026

❤️ Meet the Huinink Family | Family DTS Staff! ❤️

First up in introducing our 2026 Family DTS Staff Team, meet the Huinink family from the Netherlands! 🇳🇱

Frank & Elsbeth have seven children: Florian (19), Seppe (18), Levi (16), Marlotte (14), Elle-Noor (11), Carlijne (8), and Philippa (3). Their two oldest sons won’t be joining them for this DTS, but the rest of the family is here and ready for the adventure!

And yes, they already know their last name can be a challenge for those of us who don’t speak Dutch, so they’re happy to hear all our creative attempts! 😄

Their YWAM journey began in 2009 when they did their DTS in Orlando, Florida, with two little boys along for the ride! Since then, they’ve completed a Family Ministry School in South Africa, staffed schools in two different nations, and been involved in Family Camps with YWAM around the world.

The Huininks have a real heart for families doing discipleship together. They love Family DTS because they’ve seen how meaningful it can be when the whole family goes on the journey together.

As they put it, “God loves families. They are His design!” ❤️

As a family, they love opening their home, sharing meals, connecting with people, and traveling. Elsbeth loves good coffee and cake ☕🍰 while Frank enjoys tea, running, and swimming. ☕️🏃‍♀️ 🏊‍♀️

🚆 Fun fact: They’ve traveled through every train station in the Netherlands... just for fun! 😄

We’re so thankful God brought the Huinink family all the way from the Netherlands to be part of our 2026 Family DTS staff team here at YWAM Chico! ❤️🌎

08/22/2026

Meet Our 2026 Family DTS Staff Team!

One of the things we love about Family DTS is that it isn’t just individuals discipling individuals, it’s families walking alongside families.

This year, God has brought together three families from three different backgrounds with one shared heart: to see marriages and families strengthened as they grow closer to God and to one another.❤️

🇨🇦 James & Dawn Sommerville | Family DTS Leaders

🇺🇸 The Sivils Family | Family DTS Staff

🇳🇱 The Huinink Family | Family DTS Staff

Each family has their own story, their own YWAM journey, and their own gifts they bring to the team. We’re so thankful for the way God has brought us together for this season. ❤️

Over the next few days, we’ll introduce each family and let you get to know them a little better! 😊

We’re excited for all God has ahead for our 2026 Family DTS at YWAM Chico! ❤️

08/16/2026

Come serve with us at YWAM Chico this fall during our Family DTS! 🍂
Whether you can come for a few weeks or a few months, there’s a place for you. 💛

Please help us spread the word!
https://ywamchico.org/volunteer/

07/28/2026

What if your family's story was next? ❤️

This powerful testimony is from one of the families who completed our Family DTS. So impacted by what God did in their lives, they're returning this year as volunteers to help other families experience the same transformation.

We pray their story encourages you in your own walk with Jesus and reminds you that the Great Commission is for every believer.

If you've been wondering whether God is calling your family to take a step of faith, there's still time to apply!

📅 Family DTS begins September 7 at YWAM Chico.

Come grow deeper in your relationship with Jesus, be equipped for His mission, and experience what God can do when your whole family says "yes."

Questions? Feel free to reach out to us we would be happy to meet over video and answer any questions! Dawn Milne-Sommerville or James Sommerville

www.ywamchico.org/family-dts

07/26/2026

Looking for a meaningful way to serve?

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to volunteer with Youth With A Mission?

YWAM Chico has opportunities for individuals, couples, and families who want to use their gifts to serve, grow in their faith, and be part of a Christ-centered community. Whether your skills are in administration, hospitality, maintenance, cooking, childcare, discipleship, or simply having a willing heart, there's a place for you.

Come and be part of what God is doing as we welcome and disciple people from around the world.

If you'd like to learn more about volunteering or serving with us, we'd love to connect!

https://ywamchico.org

Short-term Volunteers Apply Here: https://tinyurl.com/mptaecuj

07/26/2026

We're so excited to see what God is going to do through this year's Family DTS at YWAM Chico!

There's still time to apply! Classes begin September 7, and we'd love to have your family join us.

Family DTS is a unique opportunity for your whole family to encounter God, grow together in faith, be equipped for ministry, and discover His purpose for your lives. We believe it has the potential to be truly life-changing for your entire family.

If you've been praying about what's next, this could be the opportunity you've been waiting for.

Message us if you'd like to learn more, we'd love to connect! And please share this post with any families who may be interested.

Applications are open, apply now!
https://ywamchico.org/family-dts/

06/02/2026

A glimpse from our very first Community Night of last year’s Fall Family DTS 💛

It was an incredible season of transformation, discipleship, healing, and encountering God together as families and individuals from around the world.

We are already preparing for the next Family DTS beginning September 7th, and we’re expectant for all God is going to do in this upcoming season.

If you’ve ever considered taking time to grow deeper in your faith or invest in a season that could truly transform your life, we’d love to connect with you.

And if you feel led to partner with us through prayer or financial support as missionaries with YWAM Chico, we’re so grateful 😊

https://ywamchico.org/family-dts/

05/17/2026

One thing that makes Family DTS so unique is that outreach preparation starts long before we ever get on a plane.
During lecture phase, families grow together through worship, prayer, teaching, serving, outreach prep, and learning how to live missionally in everyday life. It’s not just about going to the nations, it’s about allowing God to transform your family together along the way ❤️
We’re getting more and more excited as we prepare for the upcoming Family DTS this September at YWAM Chico. So much is already happening behind the scenes, and we’re expectant for all God is going to do in this next season 🙏

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