Welcome! Thank you for your interest in joining the Phos House community. We would like to explain more about our ministry and then will continue with the application. 

Check out the history, purpose & vision of the Phos House!

YOUTH WITH A MISSION

Youth With A Mission (YWAM) is one of the largest international and interdenominational Christian ministries.  Its purpose is "to know God and make Him known."  Over 32,000 Christians from various backgrounds and denominations form the volunteer labor force of YWAM.  The mission of YWAM is threefold: evangelism, training, and mercy ministries.  

YWAM MADISON, STUDENTS TRANSFORMING NATIONS & THE PHOS HOUSE 

As with the rest of YWAM, YWAM Madison’s vision is the nations of the world.  YWAM Madison is just one of the 1800 locations of YWAM in 180 countries.  However, it's opportunity to impact the nations is unique since over 100 nations present themselves at our doorstep at the UW campus. 

Back in 1986, a few YWAMers moved to Madison with a heart to do campus ministry. Much of what they initially did was pray. The ministry grew and added a Phos House on Doty St. The original Phos House was primarily friends that our staff had made on campus and most of them were internationals. Several moves later, the house is now right in the middle of campus at 602 Langdon St.

Over time, our campus ministry developed and grew more. Students Transforming Nations, or STN, was coined the name of YWAM Madison's campus ministry on the UW Campus. STN includes ministires like the Phos house, our STN-UW affiliate student organization, and an international student hospitality ministry.

We desire to be real and authentic with each other so that we can put God at the center of our lives and grow. The Phos House is a place to grow internally, but then externally as well so we can let our light shine.  The Phos House is meant to be a community where we produce light and develop character, so that we bring about change here on this campus and everywhere else we go. The Phos House isn't just a place to live, but it's a Christian community driven to know God & make Him known. 

This will only happen as we have real fellowship, holy living, mutual support and sacrificial service.

OUR VISION

To help you integrate their faith and studies by helping you understand your unique calling to disciple the nations. 

We provide a place for you to:

belong on campus through international community, 

become more Christ-like through discipleship, 

develop a biblical worldview through bible study and teaching, 

impact the nations with the Gospel through local and international outreach, 

and reflect God’s love through radical hospitality to others. 

Our difference goes deeper than just what we do but rather our difference is at the heart-level. Sharing the heartbeat of Phos House means holding the following values:

Discipleship- STN is committed to becoming more like Jesus in every day life through relationship with Him, one another and leadership opportunities. 

International Community- STN affirms that God designed us to live in community. We are committed to create a culture of inclusion for every individual in our community and their family, friends and classmates. We are committed to look for ways to out serve each other, prefer one another, support one another, and make the relationships in our community a priority.

Be Intentional- STN is called to an intentional pursuit of genuine conversations about life and God with one other and others on campus. We know that God is a part of our every day lives and He cares for both the big and little details; Therefore we want to show this part of God's heart to one another and our campus.

Hospitality- STN affirms that showing hospitality is one way we can express God’s love and the value of people. We are committed to going out of our way to be friendly and welcoming to one another, guests, international students, and classmates, showing them God’s love and value for them. 

Outreach- STN affirms that God has called each of us to make disciples of all nations. While you’re going to university, we believe God wants to teach you how your studies can impact the world for His Kingdom. We are called to be a blessing to our neighbors, campus, city, and the nations as we have been blessed by God. Through local, national, and international outreaches, we can both show and communicate God’s love for the world. 

Scholarship- STN is dedicated to excellence in both the study of scripture and your chosen field. 

Stewardship- STN is dedicated to good stewardship in the way we take care of personal property, community property, our campus, city & relationships and the way we manage our finances, time and talents, all in a way that honors God.  

Relationship- STN is dedicated to being relationship-oriented within our community, campus, and beyond, as we live and work together. We know good relationship with God and others are keys to living a life of purpose. We desire to be united through lives of holiness, mutual support, transparency, humility, and open communication, rather than dependence on structures or rules. STN values building bridges between people, cultures, and campus organizations.

Communicate with Integrity- STN affirms that everything exists because God communicates. Therefore we are committed to truthful, accurate, timely and relevant communication with follow through. We desire our yes to be yes and our no to be no and that what we say is what we do. We believe good communication is essential for strong and healthy relationships, families, and communities and effective ministry.

Biblical World View- STN is called to a Biblical Worldview. We know that our values, beliefs and decisions come from our worldview and we believe that the Bible has a lot to say, clearly dividing between good and evil, right and wrong. We believe the practical dimensions of life are no less spiritual than the ministry expressions, but everything done in obedience to God is spiritual. 

Value the Individual- STN is called to value each individual. We know that every individual is created in the image of God and therefore inherently valuable. We value that people of all nationalities, ages and functions have distinctive contributions and callings and are unique in personality, gifting, and experiences. We are committed to honoring God-given leadership and ministry gifts in both men and women. 

THERE ARE 5 BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ANYONE WHO IS APPLYING TO LIVE AT THE PHOS HOUSE:

1. You are a Christian or are interested in pursuing the Christian faith.

2. You are enrolled in an area college.

3. You are committed to discipleship and community within the house, uphold the values of the house and for these purposes will:

-Participate in one of our faith-based small groups or Bible studies that run at various times during the week 

-Meet bi-weekly with a 'staff-backer' for the purposes of prayer and spiritual encouragement. (A ‘Staff-backer' is a YWAM Madison staff member who has committed to look out for you and  care for you in an intentional way.)

4. You are willing to serve your fellow housemates by completing two different work duties per week of up to 1.5 hours each. These work duties will be some combination of cleaning, upkeep, meal preparation, and meal clean up.  

5. You are in agreement with the following Phos House policies: 

-The Phos House is an alcohol, tobacco and drug, and firearm-free zone

-When entertaining a guest of the opposite sex in your room you'll keep the door open, lights on and practice chastity and modesty. 

-When viewing movies or internet sites, use your conscience; the viewing of pornography is not permitted. 

We are not looking for the "right" answers, but rather we are hoping to get to know you a little bit. Please answer thoroughly and give your best effort to give your honest opinion of yourself. Thanks!!!

Note: We have limited single occupancy rooms. Most of our rooms are double and triple occupancy. We will consider your preferences, but cannot guarantee them. 

Note: This will not necessarily affect your acceptance. 

Have a person of authority in your life, i.e. a teacher, pastor, work supervisor, or mentor, who knows you well, fill out the online reference. Please do not ask family members. 

We will e-mail the link to your references. 

I commit that I have read, in entirety, the above letter, and filled out each question to the best of my ability. 

I hereby authorize Youth With A Mission to conduct any background and/or credit checks as deemed necessary by the Phos House staff in considering my application. 

Once we have received your application and two references, your application is complete. We will begin praying about and processing your application, we may arrange an interview with you, and then get back to you with our decision.