DTS Details

Discipleship Training Schools (DTS) aim to prepare messengers of the gospel, helping students to know God in depth. The goal is to form Christian character and establish Biblical relationships while developing a daily walk with God. This intensive Christian training course begins with an 11 or 12 week classroom phase followed by a typically 12 week outreach. The DTS is an intense, 5-6-month long, life-altering event. Ever wondered how a relatively small, mostly uneducated group of men and women that walked with Jesus for a short period of time could totally change the course of history? For the most part, they were from ordinary walks of life (and quite a few of them teenagers). After spending time with Jesus, they were never the same, and consequently, neither was this planet. DTS will let you spend that precious time with Jesus that will forever ruin you for the ordinary, and greatly enhance your potential to be a world-changer. Not everyone completing a DTS necessarily joins YWAM. Many participate in a DTS to take time out to concentrate on God and to consider how He might be calling them to Christian ministry. For those who choose to go on into a career with YWAM, successful completion of the DTS qualifies them to apply for hundreds of staff opportunities. Graduating from the DTS also qualifies students to go on to YWAM's other training programs, such as those offered by YWAM's University of the Nations (UofN).

Purpose and Outcomes

To GATHER and CHALLENGE people to worship, listen to and obey God, releasing them (in the context of the DTS) to serve through evangelism, intercession, acts of compassion and other expressions of God's heart for the world, possibly even pioneering new ministries. To INSPIRE and CULTIVATE growth in one's relationship with God resulting in Christ like character, which is based on a solid Biblical foundation, the work of the Holy Spirit and the personal application of Biblical truth, especially concerning God's Character, the Cross and empowering Grace. To SHARPEN one's ability to relate to, learn from and work with people, including those of different cultures, personalities and perspectives. To further EQUIP each one to serve God's purposes either in or outside of YWAM Family of Ministries, strengthening a commitment to reach the lost, especially the unreached, to care for the poor, and to influence all areas of society. To IMPART the vision and foundational values of Youth With A Mission International as well as that of the host operating location and to provide information regarding a variety of opportunities for service. “DTS is an intensive time of growing more like Jesus and serving him in the world.” “The Discipleship Training School will help you know God better and grow in your ability to make Him known.”

Example of Subjects

• Identity in Christ
• Servanthood
• The Nature and Character of God Hearing God’s Voice
• Bible Study
• Frontier Missions
• Relationships
• Spiritual Warfare
• Strategies for the Post-Christian age
• Evangelism
• Intercession
• Understanding Biblical Authority

What is outreach all about?

Students say goodbye to their base and head out into the nations to share the love of God. They may not have the poise and skill of a fine preacher. They may not be able to argue Biblical truths with trained scholars. Perhaps they may seem shy and may stumble over their words a little, but they have hearts to serve. They have zeal. They have sought and found a passion for their God and knowledge of His love. That love knows no boundaries, no conditions. It cannot be broken, cannot be understood, but it can be accepted. It can be shared. And share it they will. To the poor beggar on the streets of Thailand, crying out for something, anything other than the life he lives each day. They will share it to the lost and empty teenager who has no reason left to live, to the poor orphan girl in East Timor, longing for someone to love her. They will go out there to give. To sacrifice, love, and serve. And they will return more blessed and more fulfilled than when they left.

“The DTS is a half year that will change your life.”