School of Leadership Development 

Our two-year Leadership Development Program is designed to cultivate holistic transformation in emerging leaders, equipping them spiritually, emotionally, and practically to bring Kingdom impact in every sphere of life.

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A key component of the program is the opportunity to apply theory in practice through internships and outreach projects. Students engage directly in ministry, leadership, and service contexts, translating what they learn into real-world impact, fostering transformation not only within themselves but also in the communities they serve.

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​Through this integrated, two-year journey, students experience spiritual growth, inner healing, practical equipping, and hands-on application, leaving the program ready to lead with vision, wisdom, and Kingdom influence.

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Year 1: Foundations in Counseling and Biblical Worldview​

The first year of the spiritual leadership development program is designed to bring the participants into greater spiritual and emotional maturity.

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Counseling Modules

These modules are designed to facilitate personal transformation and inner healing. Participants engage with topics such as personality and character structures, family systems, trauma, mindset, and personal biography. Through this process, students grow in self-awareness, emotional health, and relational maturity, and are equipped to walk alongside others with compassion, wisdom, and discernment.

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Biblical Worldview Modules

These modules invite students into a deeper alignment with God’s perspective. Covering topics such as a Judeo-Christian worldview, the Babylonian system, the fivefold ministry, Kingdom finances, biblical dream interpretation, and the Issachar anointing, students are trained to discern the times and seasons and to develop a Kingdom mindset for life, leadership, and ministry in a rapidly changing world.

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Year 2: Expanding Vision and Influence​

The second year emphasizes holistic leadership and Kingdom impact. Participants gain a broader understanding of leadership in society and explore how their unique gifts and calling fit into God’s larger work in this generation.

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Spiritual Leadership Modules

These modules focus on developing healthy, Christ-centered leadership. Participants engage with topics such as authority and leadership responsibility, team dynamics, conflict resolution, and practical leadership principles. The emphasis is on leading from a place of wholeness, humility, and accountability, equipping students to serve effectively within teams, ministries, and communities.

 

Kingdom Impact in the Spheres

These modules explore how God’s Kingdom can be expressed and multiplied across the different spheres of society. Students examine missiological foundations for cultural engagement, including ministry development and business as mission. The aim is to help participants discern their personal calling, understand their sphere of influence, and apply Kingdom values in practical, transformative ways.

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In-School Training

In our leadership training program, the close integration of school-based education and practical experience (internship placement) plays a central role. In addition to teaching professional and methodological skills, we place particular emphasis on the development of personal and social competencies. Many course contents are taught using case studies from various fields of social diakonia as practical examples.

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Training Structure

• Two-day in-school block per week (Thursday and Friday)

• One online teaching block per week

• One self-study day per week

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The training is conducted at the YWAM Olten center, where students are provided with accommodation and meals during the school blocks.

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Internship​

In addition to classroom instruction (lecture part of the training), students undertake an internship at a social-diaconal institution, such as partner churches or YWAM bases in the region.
 

During the unpaid internship, students are supervised by a practical trainer. At the end of each training year, a review meeting takes place between the trainer, the student, and the school leadership to evaluate the practical qualification.

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The practical training takes place at a YWAM Olten partner institution—either a partner church of the Swiss Evangelical Alliance or a YWAM base in the region—where students are provided with accommodation and meals during the internship blocks.

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Certification and Recognition

Assessment at the end of the training is based on learning journals, a written assignment, and the practical qualification acquired during the internship.

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Our two-year leadership program is recognized by the University of the Nations (within the global YWAM community). An internal UofN certificate is awarded upon successful completion of the program.
 

Please note that the program is not officially recognized by the Swiss federal authorities.

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Costs

The fees are calculated for the school-based part of the training and apply to one school year.
Costs for accommodation and meals at the training location are included: CHF 4375.-

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One-time registration fee: CHF 50.-

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Information and Registration

Contact us for more information and registration.