Harvesters
Every person in a DTS started as a name on someone’s list.
Harvesters is the team that finds those people, builds trust over time, has honest conversations, and walks with them all the way to the moment they say “yes” to missions. This is relational work that’s also some of the most consequential work on base.
What Harvesters Do
When someone joins a DTS at UofN Battambang, there is almost always a person behind that. A phone call. A message that came at the right time. A church visit. Someone who kept following up when it would have been easier to move on.
Harvesters is that team.
The work looks like this: reaching people online, building relationships with churches across Cambodia and beyond, having real conversations with people who are curious about missions but not yet sure, and staying with those conversations until something moves. The team keeps track of hundreds of relationships at different stages using software built for exactly that, so nobody gets lost and every conversation has a next step. At its most active, the team was connecting with more than 100 people a month.
It is not glamorous work. It does not happen in front of a crowd. But when a DTS class fills, Harvesters is a significant reason why.
This is Frontier Work
Harvesters is the work that happens before any of the up front ministry is possible. Every leader developed, every community served, every DTS that runs traces back to someone deciding to come. And someone, often on this team, helped them get there.
Cambodia still needs more workers. Our vision to see Cambodia transformed in one generation (1 Nation, 1 Generation) is not just about what happens inside the gates of this campus; it is about who walks through them. Harvesters directly determines that.
If you have done a DTS, someone probably invested in you before you arrived. This is the team that invests in the next person.
Behind every transformed life is someone who chose to serve.
What the Work Involves
Most of your time will be in conversations. Phone calls with people considering missions. Messages with students who have questions. Visits to churches where the next generation of DTS students is sitting in a pew, not yet knowing what is possible for them. There are also moments in front of groups, speaking at churches or events where Harvesters is making people aware of what DTS can mean for their life.
You will also learn how to manage relationships at scale. The team uses systems to track hundreds of people at different stages of decision. That is a real and transferable skill. It is also what makes the difference between a conversation that goes somewhere and one that quietly disappears.
You do not need a particular background to join. You need to be someone who follows through, who genuinely cares about people, and who can hold a meaningful conversation. The skills develop on the job.
Who Fits Here
This ministry suits people who:
- Are willing to grow in one-on-one conversations and speaking to a group
- Are willing to learn transferable office skills
- Are organized enough to stay with something over time
- Care about Cambodia and want to contribute to what God is building here
- Are not looking for applause, but want their work to actually matter
Join our team
The general staff application is the starting point. When you apply, mention Harvesters specifically. That note should get to the right person.
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm not a salesperson. I don't want to pressure people into DTS.
Good. That is not what this is. Harvesters does not push people. It walks with them. The job is to make sure that someone who is genuinely curious about missions has someone to talk to and does not fall through the cracks. Whether they come or not is between them and God.
I have done my DTS somewhere else. Can I still apply here?
Yes. We welcome DTS graduates from other YWAM bases. You will go through the standard staff application process and the team will help you understand what joining looks like from where you are.
Is Harvesters really missions work, or is it just admin?
The systems exist to serve relationships. The tracking, the follow-up, and the software are tools that help the team stay present with hundreds of people who are at different points in a real decision. The work itself is conversations. Honest ones, about whether someone should give time out of their life to following Jesus in Cambodia. That is missions work.
What if I don't feel qualified to help people make a decision this big?
Most people on the team felt the same way before they started. You are not being asked to convince anyone of anything. You are being asked to be present, to follow up, and to have honest conversations. The qualification is caring enough to show up for someone in that process.
Can I be in another ministry and also contribute to Harvesters?
Split attention usually serves neither ministry well, but context matters. Raise it in your application and it can be worked through directly.
What Visa do I need?
Do not get a tourist visa.
In order to comply with local laws, please get an Ordinary Visa, also known as a Business Visa.
This will allow you to volunteer and is the only visa that is possible to extend.
What should I pack?
Essentials
- Bible (please bring a physical one if you can)
- Passport and important documents
- Prescription medication
- Toiletries
- Towel
- Underwear and other daily basics
- Clothing
Please keep in mind the hotter weather, ministry settings, and local culture when packing.
- Long pants for class, ministry, and church
- Breathable shirts
- T-shirts and a few nicer tops / button-ups
- Longer shorts for sports, work duties, or casual settings
- Dresses or skirts below the knee (for women)
- Sweater, hoodie, or light jacket
- Sneakers
- Flip-flops / sandals
- Raincoat
Daily Life
- Backpack or day bag
- Reusable water bottle
- Notebook / journal
- Laptop or device (if you have one)
- Chargers / adapters
- Small umbrella
- Health & Personal Care
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Feminine hygiene products
- Small first aid kit (optional)
** Most things can be bought here if needed, so bring what you know will help you settle in well.**
(Please note that most clothing sizes are tailored for Asia.)
My family does not understand why I would pay to serve rather than earn a salary. How do I explain this?
Many staff have walked this same path. They have had conversations with their families about this. Some families understood while others took longer to understand.
If you want to talk to someone who has been through it, reach out and we will connect you with someone who can speak honestly about their experience. Email us at info@uofnbattambang.com
What are the staff fees?
Our goal is to make missions accessible to everyone, so we use a tiered pricing structure to keep staffing costs affordable for all wanting to serve. Fees cover housing, food, and operations.
Cambodia’s relatively low cost of living, especially compared to Western countries, means your support goes further here than in many other mission contexts.
Connect with us for a quote based on your context.
How do I raise my staff contribution?
Most staff raise their support through personal donors, home churches, and family. It takes planning and it is a normal part of YWAM life worldwide. We do not have a formal fundraising program, but others who have done it are happy to share what worked for them.
Email us at info@uofnbattambang.com