“If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together”
– African proverb.
MA in Team-based Communication:
The UofN Master of Arts in Team-based Communication is a new program created for Youth With A Mission staff in leadership communication roles, who have been in YWAM at least five years, and who have some academic experience. Are you a people developer and team leader who wrestles with questions of team-based culture? This degree may be for you!
The Directed Studies Seminar will be available from Jan to March 2026, this is required before beginning the Masters in Team-based Communication.
4 Modules:
Masters Level Program From March 23, 2026 – Feb 10, 2028
Two years of Study Together
Topics include teamwork and decision-making in the midst of diversity, supervisor and peer communication, and the influence of technology on communication. We are looking for those who desire to grow in leadership communication understanding and practice, while still active in serving others through the ministry roles they have.
The program is 22 months long, including intensives embedded in each of the four distance learning modules. Candidates engage an online platform at least weekly, responding to assigned readings and discussing course content as they integrate new insights with past experience. Master’s level research and writing builds through the coursework and culminates in a final capstone or thesis project.
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Module 1
The Trinity, Community, and Communication
(March 23, 2026 – Aug 7, 2026) Residential Intensive: April 25, 2026 – May 7, 2026, Location TBC
What principles of team-based communication are implicit in the biblical doctrine of the Trinity? In what way is the incarnational ministry model of Jesus a model for communication? How do these apply in our contexts today? This module looks to lay a foundation that starts with who God is, integrating an introduction to the academic study of communication theory, within the context of practicing missional Christian community.
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Module 2
Technology in Community and Mission
(Sept 7, 2026 – Feb 5, 2027) Residential Intensive dates: Nov 2nd – Nov 14, 2026, Location TBC
This module explores implications of technological development on team-based communication, specifically for us as a global movement committed to engaging the emerging generation. Where are current trends taking us? What changes are we advised to make? This module also introduces communication research, and aims to start candidates on an empirical research strategy toward the thesis or capstone.
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Module 3
Intercultural Communication
(March 1, 2027 – July 9, 2027) Residential Intensive dates: Apr 19 – May 1, 2027, Location TBC
This module considers intercultural dynamics in a global movement. How does our culture of origin affect the way we define what good teamwork and good communication looks like? What is our ideal of community? How do we handle our differences? How might we better leverage our diversity as strength rather than as a challenge to overcome?
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Module 4
Team-based Culture, Leadership, and Consensus
(Sept 13, 2027 – Feb 10, 2028) Intensive dates: Jan 31 – Feb 10, 2028. Location TBC
This module considers how our movement’s culture shapes us and how we can shape it, the influence of context on what healthy leadership communication looks like, and the pursuit of consensus in decision-making across differences of culture, conviction, and gender. How does our diversity reflect the image of God and protect us from ourselves?
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Requirements for Participation
Successful completion of Discipleship Training School, and a minimum of five years participation in YWAM/UofN, including time spent as a student. A Bible Core Course or equivalent is required, or can be arranged for online. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (exceptions to this requirement are still encouraged to apply and will be considered on an individual basis). Candidates should expect to give at least 15 hours a week for the duration of this course. All participants will also complete the Directed Studies seminar in preparation for beginning the Masters, this will be available between January to March 2026.
Category A : $6300 USD ($300 registration + $1500 per module), Category B : $4300 USD ($300 registration + $1000 per module), Category C : $3300 USD ($300 registration + $750 per module).
The application process is completed with the payment of USD $300 registration fee. The remainder is to be paid in four payments, one per module. Airfare, airport transportation, and textbooks are not included.
When I was first made aware of the MATBC, I was in a season of realizing the importance of further education but unsure if I had the ability to complete a Masters. Sharing with several people who knew me, including fellow YWAMers and with Glenn, I began to sense that God was extending me an opportunity to be challenged and grow.
The cohort became a true community. Though meeting only once in person before the pandemic began, the depth of connection, support and camaraderie spiritually, mentally, emotionally and relationally was incredible. We continue to stay connected beyond our graduation.
While holding to a high standard of excellence, setting challenging bars both academically and personally the staff were incredibly supportive and encouraging. They lead from amongst us as a mutual learning journey.
I knew that my commitment to the Masters was significant and thus had to be integrally linked to my present ministry journey. It was. In fact, so much so that I found that the reading, assignments and my own research regularly fed directly into my work on many levels. My capstone project literally was part of my ministry and created a platform for some crucial next steps.
I continue to deeply thank God for challenging me with this opportunity and cannot imagine the last 2 years, my present work and most significantly my own holistic development without this cohort and the MATBC context.
