Tag: discipleship

You can support my ministry here!

Life Update

It’s time for another life update! As many of you know, I have recently started a full time ministry role with Tauernhof Austria. 

This role is multifaceted: I will be contributing toward Tauernhof’s media needs. This includes running their website, social media and marketing efforts. The goal is to spread the word about our Bible School and outdoor programs so that more people can experience God’s work in their lives here at Tauernhof! At the same time, I have the opportunity to be deeply involved in student discipleship — being present in the daily lives of the students, hosting a home group, leading sports activities and meeting 1:1 with students. 

What is Tauernhof?

Many have expressed curiosity as to what exactly I’m doing in Austria and “what” Tauernhof is. 

Tauernhof Bible School is part of a wider organization called Torchbearers International. 

Torchbearers’ mission is to proclaim the transforming presence of Jesus Christ through biblical teaching and practical training, equipping men and women for service in His church worldwide.

While many mission organizations focus solely on training and send missionaries “out” into the field, Torchbearers’ goal is rather discipleship minded: to equip young people with practical and personal training — that they may return and continue God’s work in their home churches. 

During my past 3 years of involvement with ministries at Torchbearers, I’ve experienced God work in mighty ways. I’m looking forward to serving through their ministry and seeing how God continues to work through His people here! 

As a center, Tauernhof hosts both international bible schools as well as German-speaking camps in the winter and summer. The center is located in Schladming, about 1 hr south of Salzburg.

Media as an Outreach

It has always been a deep desire of mine to use my vocational skills in a ministry setting. 

I am excited to be given the opportunity to use my training in graphic design and marketing to further the work of Christ in the lives of current (and future) students at Tauernhof. 

My media role looks like: 

• Running Tauernhof’s social media accounts — I am privileged to capture the first hand the real, raw work God is doing here in the lives of the students! Part of this includes promoting our programs so that Tauernhof can continue to run at full capacity —  having full programs gives Tauernhof the opportunity to impact more students and guests each year and use our facilities to the fullest. The main goal is that we can share about our center in a way that brings God the glory and allows others to experience His work here at Tauernhof.
• Website: In addition to regular website updates, a big project for 2025 will be creating a new website for our center! The goal is that our guests and students can more easily access info about our center and programs.
• In the winter, I will also run the tech and uploading recordings from our weekly evening lectures.
• Lastly, I am responsible for coordinating other visual/media projects at tauernhof: program brochures, Bible School phamplets, student photos, newsletters, ect. 

Student Discipleship

Ministry often involves wearing many “hats”. While my main role is media-related, I also have the opportunity to be involved in student life here at Tauernhof.  

This looks like: 

• Hosting a weekly “Family Group” (student bible study) in my home 
• Coordinating and leading student sport days. 
• Being available for 1:1s with students for discipleship & mentorship. 
• Living daily life with the students — engaging during meal times, coffee breaks, ect. 
• Giving feedback and support for students’ assignments 
• Spending time with students during free time for hikes, recreation, ect. 

Living Accommodations

Since there is not much staff accommodation on campus, I’ve moved into a small flat in Schladming (the town where our Bible School is located).  I live about a 15 minute walk (or a breezy 5 minute bike) from Tauernhof.

This has turned out to be quite a blessing — having my own place allows me for the occasional retreat from a busy campus (currently buzzing with 93 students). My flat also allows me to build a healthy rhythm of sabbath rest amid my busy schedule, as well as provides a place to host family group, students, local church friends and staff throughout each month. 

Raising Support

Being part of this ministry long-term means that I will have recurring expenses. These include: 

• Rent 
• Utilities (electricity, water, rubbish & snow removal in winter) 
• Daily living expenses (groceries, basic household items, ect) 
• Hospitality (that I can have the means to bless staff and students by hosting them in my home)
• Visa fees (+ all those other fun government fees that come with being an expat in a new country) 
• Travel expenses (airfare back home for longer breaks to visit my family & supporters) 

For visa reasons, I am asking that all donations be made out to Torchbearers International (in my name). These donations will in turn help Tauernhof contribute toward my salary, that my recurring living expenses can be provided for.

To support my ministry at Tauernhof, you can give through this link: https://torchbearers.org/team/hannah-young/

If you have any questions about the donation process, do not hesitate to ask. Torchbearers is a non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible* 

Prayer Requests

• Praise: My resident permit for Austria was approved! This means I am legally allowed to live and work in Austria for the next 24 months. Having my residence card brings tremendous peace of mind as the visa process here is quite demanding.
• Prayer: Please pray as I continue my journey of figuring out all the bureaucratic stuff that comes with moving to a new country: getting my insurance card, drivers license, ect.
• Prayer: For our student body. As we enter week 5 of Bible school, pray that the students would be drawn closer to the Lord and grow in a deep personal relationship with Him.
• Pray for me personally as I settle into living in a new place, a new home, new community and a new language. Pray that I can keep my eyes set on God first each day. I praise God daily for the blessing of being here, but nonetheless it is a big adjustment.

If you wish to send mail, my new address is: Untere Klaus 19/5 8970 Schladming, Austria

Many thanks for your endless prayers and support!

In His Name,

Hannah