AMBO, ETHIOPIA
Discipleship, Mission, and Theological Training in the Wilderness
Enrollment for 2025 is now open!
See details at the bottom of page.
The Aravah Disciple School exists to equip God’s people with the spiritual, theological, and cultural tools to faithfully disciple the nations of earth.
The Aravah Discipleship School is a place for men and women to mature in godliness and develop a lifestyle of worshipping God and loving others. Our focus is to equip God’s people with theological knowledge and practical skills to live godly lives worthy of the gospel, to share the Word accurately, and to disciple the world around them wherever they are in the world. This short time in the wilderness will lay a Christ-centered foundation for whatever God has next.
The Word of God
Right Worship
Prayer Works
Evangelism
Discipleship
Local Church
Unity
Godly Relationships
Language & Culture
Life-Long Learning
Simpler Lifestyle
Foundations for Life
“Christ is the ruler of the kings of the earth. He is building His kingdom all over the world today. He is gathering a people for Himself from every nation, tribe, and tongue. The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ. He has commissioned us to proclaim His gospel and disciple the nations.”
JOSEPH BOOT
Loving God is the ultimate goal of the Christian. Worship is displaying what God is worth, his value, in all circumstances. When we love God rightly and when we serve others with joy, we worship God. Everything we do is to be an act of worship to our Creator. So, it’s important to know what true worship looks like. Our worship will continue for eternity. And that is precisely what we are calling others to. Our heart is for your heart to burst forth in worship to the Savior.
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
LUKE 10:27
Christians are commanded to develop their minds and grow in the knowledge of Christ. Handling God’s Word rightly is a requirement. Our study program is meant to stretch your mind and faith. We encourage you to study and work hard. Depending on how long you are with us, the topics will include: basic theology, OT & NT survey, worldview, church, missions, culture, and practical life skills.
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
2 TIMOTHY 2:15
The Christian life is not just “me and Jesus.” Love for God and knowledge of God necessarily results in serving and loving your neighbor (1 John 4:19-21). Our program intends to move our love from heart and head into our hands and feet. There will be plenty of real-life ministry opportunities from spiritual to physical to emotional. We will do our best to equip you to obey God’s call on your life in the real world no matter where you go after Aravah.
“So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”
COLOSSIANS 1:10
“If we do not die to ourselves, we cannot live to God, and he that does not live to God, is dead.”
GEORGE MACDONALD, 1860
Our program is an informal mentorship-style, life on life, environment of holistic learning. The program will be split between academic work consisting of classroom lectures, reading and thinking, writing, and final exams; and also field ministry based on your skills—prayer, small groups, evangelism, and community development.
Regardless of your focus, our curriculum will affect your mind, heart, and hands. Meaning, there will be academics, spiritual disciplines, and service opportunities.
Upon successful completion of Aravah Discipleship School you will receive a Certificate of Completion.
• Right Worship
• Prayer
• Sabbath Rest
• Bible Study
• Journaling
• Basic Doctrine
• OT & NT Survey
• Worldview Training
• God’s Will
• Ethics & Wisdom
• Godly Manhood & Womanhood
• Missionary Life
• Crossing-Culture
• Evangelism
• Discipleship
• Work Ethic
The type of program (internship, gap year, or month out) and length of time spent with us is customizable to your preferences. Currently, it’s easiest with Ethiopian government regulations to stay from 1-6 months. After that, it gets a little tricky with visas, but we can work with you if you want to stay longer.
We suggest you stay for the longest you can in order to acclimate yourself to the environment, culture, and people, and to develop relationships, and to gain sufficient biblical knowledge.
If your application is approved, candidates will be interviewed to determine whether Aravah is a good fit for you and to tailor the curriculum to suit your needs, abilities, and future plans.
Our desire is to serve you best. While we are not picky about your age, people from 16-30 would find our program most helpful. Families or singles are welcome.
Addis Ababa ranked one of the most expensive cities in Africa. That can really put a damper on choosing where you spend your summer. We do not want cost to be a reason you don’t join us. Please talk to us if finances are the issue. We are working to absorb most of the cost ourselves to make your tuition as low as possible.
In light of that, here is the approximate cost of our program.
(We can provide a more accurate cost after your interview and know your particular goals.)
For example: If you plan on completing a X month internship, multiply the monthly cost, then add your airline ticket and visa, then add whatever you decide to bring as spending money.
60 Days: $1,200 (2 months) + $1,650 (ticket) + $150 (visa) + $350 (spending money) = $3,350 Total to Fundraise
90 Days: $3,950 / 180 Days: $6,050 (requires a visa extension)
Aravah (הָעֲרָבָה) is a Hebrew word with multiple meanings:
Arid land, Wilderness, Plain, Willow tree, Cloud, and Heaven.
The wilderness represents a time of spiritual testing and dependence on God, where one is forced to rely solely on His provision and guidance, often leading to a deeper faith and humility. The wilderness teaches us lessons we could not learn in the comfort of our homes. It humbles us by exposing our weakness, forcing us to turn to God alone for strength. It’s a place where we relinquish control of our little kingdoms and allow God to reign. When we can come to the end of our natural strength and self-sufficiency we discover that our true source of strength is God. He is our King and we must follow his lead.
“Most of the Psalms were born in the wilderness. Most of the Epistles were written in a prison. The greatest thoughts of the greatest thinkers have all passed through fire. The greatest poets have “learned in suffering what they taught in song.” In bonds Bunyan lived the allegory that he afterwards wrote, and we may thank Bedford Jail for the Pilgrim’s Progress. Take comfort, afflicted Christian! When God is about to make pre-eminent use of a person, He puts them in the fire.”
GEORGE MACDONALD, 1860
Let’s talk to see if you may be a good fit for Aravah.
Download this application. Fill it out. Then email it to us: Aravah@AscribeAndDeclare.com
DOWNLOAD .DOCX APPLICATION
Join us in Ambo, Ethiopia for a time of training in Christian maturity while putting your hands and feet into action for the sake of the Great Commission.
Together for the King,
Matthew Adams
Director, Aravah Discipleship School
