This is my first update of 2026, and it includes details about this year's DTS and other events that happened. I also write about some of my plans for the summer.
Here is the browser version of the Update if you prefer that. There is also a PDF version at the bottom of the page.
Hello! I pray you are doing well. This year has already been packed full of wonderful experiences and challenges, and I’m excited for you to hear about it.
DTS
As usual, my year started by welcoming a new group of Discipleship Training School (DTS) students. This year, we have 7 students representing 6 nations and 3 continents! They have been a joy to come alongside, and I’m inspired by how they desire to see God shape and lead their lives.
This year, my direct involvement with the DTS has been a little less than in previous years, and living outside the staff/student housing has made my time with the students less frequent but far more intentional. I recognised that I wouldn’t have as many opportunities to interact with them, so I had to make the most of what I got. That being said, I still got to hang out with the students a lot, especially during their ministry times. I led a couple of the weekly local outreaches (prayer stations and volunteering with the community policing centre). I also went up to Mt. Seymour with them each week to love and share the gospel with snowboarders and skiers.
This Saturday, the team left for a 2-month outreach to Japan. They will be serving at 2 of the locations we visited last year, building the relationships we began. I did not join them on this trip for several reasons, the main one being my trip to England in April. Please pray for the team as they go to serve the nation of Japan!
YWAM Salem - DNA Conference
At the beginning of February, I got to attend a weeklong YWAM conference that was focused on the DNA of YWAM. The speakers for the week were people who have been involved in the mission for years, some since the early years of YWAM's founding. My biggest takeaway was that we are a people who listen to God. From that point of intimacy and seeking his voice, we find vision and direction for all of life.
Teaching Opportunities
I have expressed before how I want to grow in my ability to teach/speak in front of a crowd. Since the beginning of 2026, I have had 5 opportunities to develop this skill in a variety of settings.
3 of these times, I was teaching groups how to evangelize and share a testimony. I then taught about how we do prayer stations in the community, before leading them out onto the streets to practice what they had just learned.
Another time, I was teaching about how to study the bible at a youth conference. This one was a lot of fun and very interactive, with roughly 30 teenagers taking part.
Finally, I got the opportunity to preach at my church, teaching about how Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. I shared the stage with two others, and I focused on the life part of that statement. It was awesome!
What's Coming Up?
DBS?
After spending time in prayer and seeking the Lord's direction regarding the DBS (Discipleship Bible School), we feel that God is telling us not to run the lecture phase of the school this year. It was originally planned to begin on June 10th and last for the whole summer, concluding with an outreach in the fall. As we have been praying, we feel that it is important for us to hold onto the outreach and continue planning to go. I am hoping to join this trip, and would greatly appreciate your prayers as we discern where to go and what to do. I will have more updates on this soon.
Mission Adventures
Since my summer has cleared up, I have been asked to co-lead our Mission Adventures (MA) program, where we host teams for a week of service, prayer, and learning what it means to be a missionary in a city. This summer, we will have teams from schools, youth groups, and churches through to September, so it will definitely keep me busy. If you want to learn more about Mission Adventures, or even send a team to us, click here.
England Trip
On April 17th, I will be going to England for a month to visit family, rest, and do some fundraising. I was last there two years ago, so a visit is very overdue. If you are there and want to go out for a coffee or something, please reach out to me and let me know soon, as I’m working on planning my time
Fundraising Update
Thank you so much to everyone who is partnering with me financially. Truly, I would not be able to do any of this without you.
My average support is currently around $750 CAD/month, which is an increase from what it was last year! But my goal is $2000 CAD/month so I can sustainably serve long-term, covering rent, groceries, health care, ministry costs, travel, and gradually paying off my student debt.
If you feel led, please pray about joining my monthly support team. Even small monthly amounts make a big difference.
Check out the support page on my website for ways to give. Click here!
I have also created a Facebook group where I try to post more frequent updates on what God is doing through my life. If you would like to join, you will find the link to my Facebook account at the bottom of this page.
Prayer Points
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For the DTS outreach team in Japan - They would be united and obedient to the Lord’s leading.
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For the Japanese - They would meet Jesus and have their lives transformed by his love.
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For all the Mission Adventures teams coming to us this summer.
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For the planning and provision of the Bible outreach this fall.
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For continued provision as I pursue long-term ministry with YWAM Vancouver.
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That I would continue to trust God in all that I do. Allowing Him to lead the way in my relationships, finances, and future.
Thank You!
Thank you for praying, supporting, reading my newsletters, and cheering me on. I am so blessed to have you in my corner. If you want to chat, hear more stories, or ask questions about what’s next, feel free to reach out anytime. If you would like to read more of my newsletters or find ways to support me, check out my website.
God Bless you,
Ezekiel Smith
Facebook: Zeke Smith Instagram: (@smith_zeke)
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