The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a YWAM Discipleship Training School (DTS)
Sean Sanborn
DTS Outreach Teams Leader
What in the world is a DTS (Discipleship Training School)?
The Discipleship Training School is the first step to joining YWAM as a missionary. Students will be immersed in an intense 5-6 month training school that will prepare students for mission work. This is the required first step to joining YWAM (Youth With A Mission)
The Discipleship Training School (DTS) is designed to help you understand God more deeply, live more like Jesus and identify your unique gifts and purpose in life.
Should I attend a DTS (Discipleship Training School)?
YES! And you should know that you have many locations to choose from as YWAM offers training in almost every country on earth! There are other options based on what I will list below to figure out which DTS you should choose to attend.
Which DTS should I choose?
Whichever one God clearly sends you to, obviously. But, if that is not clear to you, then please take time to read your Bible, pray, talk to your parents, your pastor, and other people you trust.
18 Questions to ask yourself before you decide which YWAM school to attend.
1. What school focus am I looking for?
Besides implementing God’s Word in your life, some DTS’s offer additional electives or specialized training. If God has given you specific talents, perhaps now is a great time to see if God would have you use those skills for ministry.
Also, in general, find out what kind of ministry the DTS location specializes in? Is it mercy ministry? Is it mercy ministry or is it evangelism? There is a good chance you will participate in whatever ministry they are doing. To learn more information about this topic, please read, “What flavor of DTS should I attend?” at the end of this list.
2. Where should I go for my DTS lecture phase?
Do you want to attend lecture phase in your home country? Ask God where He wants you to be for the first 3 months of your training. Some people prefer to be closer to home. Some seek adventure. Many students choose a country that they’ve always dreamed of visiting for their DTS lecture phase.
3. Where do I want to go on my DTS mission outreach?
Has God called you long-term to share the gospel at a specific place on earth, or is there just some amazing place on your bucket list. Either way, if you would love to go to a specific place and a YWAM Discipleship Training School frequently sends their teams there on outreach then you may have just figured out where you will do your DTS.
4. Who do I want to mentor me?
Are the staff and leaders experienced in mission work? I personally chose my DTS location because I knew the leader to be a godly man and I wanted to be discipled by him.
5. Is the focus Inner Healing or is it Outreach?
Most DTS’s focus on Training and going out into the world with the Gospel but there are some DTS’s that also focus on inner healing. Most of us do need some healing but if you are an individual who needs a lot of inner healing, there are programs designed to help you. Truly broken people should seriously consider “Teen Challenge” or other similar organizations. YWAM is about missionary training and is an exciting adventure with God!
6. Can the school handle my dietary needs?
Many people have varying dietary needs such as allergies, intolerances, and diet restrictions. Most YWAM ministries can accommodate these needs, but please ask in advance.
7. Should do my DTS at a large campus?
Big schools are great and, if you enjoy that environment, we have several large training centers such as Kona, Hawaii, Perth Australia and Orlando, Florida. The large crowd worship times can be thrilling and inspiring. When the school is over, there will likely be plenty of varied ministry opportunities to choose from and you can probably arrange to live at that ministry location all year long.
Also, most single men and women would love to find their future soul mate amongst others serving God. Please don’t base your DTS selection on that. DTS is supposed to be a very special significant time in your life where you aren’t looking for a spouse but trying to grow closer in your walk with God.
8. Should do my DTS at a small campus?
Most YWAM DTS’s and training Centers around the world are smaller and more intimate with anywhere from 4 – 24 students. If you are more of an introvert, you might find that it’s easy to get lost in the crowd. Many homeschoolers chose the more intimate locations. These locations can also provide more close discipleship from missionaries who have been on the field. In a small school, you get more attention from staff and more opportunities to deal with sin issues in a one on one setting. At our Training Center, we only take a maximum of 12 students
If a student is hurting and is burdened with deep emotional issues and addictions, then our particular location is not for them. Instead, there are some great organizations out there that are equipped to handle young people who are wrestling with addictions.
9. Should I attend school in to a big city, the countryside or a jungle?
Many YWAM bases purposefully are situated away from large cities (unless their target ministries are in the city.) During DTS, students often detox from entertainment as they are having such rich times with their team. Whether in the city or country, your DTS staff will work hard to provide you time and places for quiet times and sweet fellowship.
10. What will DTS cost me?
Following God can cost you everything, but that probably isn’t what you are asking.
Student fees will cover food, housing, local transportation, and bringing in guest speakers. These costs are usually very low, yet students sometimes struggle to come up with the money. Because YWAM is faith based we encourage students to believe in God to provide but also make their needs known.
It is rare that students who come lacking the required finances are unable to raise what they need. It sometimes seems impossible, but if God has called you, then He will provide.
YWAM is a non-salaried organization; each member is required to raise their own finances. Some YWAM locations can help with scholarships, especially for students from poorer countries. If something is earned, its value will increase. If the student can afford something, then they should be a part of the solution.
For those needing help with raising support check out the DTS Fund Raising Guide over at YWAM.ORG
11. How safe will my outreach be?
In my experience, outreach is more fun than dangerous. But consider, do you want a safe outreach or are you willing to step out, go across cultural boundaries and have God shake up your world? A change of food and culture will give you life skills better than the best speaker you ever listened to. The whole purpose of a DTS is to give you tools for a life serving God. Also, I believe that “the safest place to be is in the center of God’s will.”
Most DTS schools list online where they intend to go on outreach, but sometimes God will change things up and outreach will need to take place somewhere different. Decisions are made prayerfully and with interaction of leaders. For instance, YWAM Tampa took the 2022 DTS outreach to Tribal people and orphans in Southern Mexico because of Covid-19 restrictions and closed borders around the world.
12. What are the best DTS locations?
It is incredibly difficult to answer that question because every student needs something different. Research websites and ask around. Write to YWAM Locations with your questions. We often refer students to another location if we think it would be a better fit for them.
13. What are the school leaders like?
I highly recommend visiting the YWAM ministry location in advance and meet with the DTS Staff. This can be a great way for nervous parents to feel assured that their children are in good hands.
Many of the best DTS’s are held at bases where the YWAM ministry leaders have been successful international missionaries. They know the ins and outs of mission work and can effectively communicate their vision.
In the early 1990’s a movement called “The Shepherding Movement” influenced a handful YWAM leaders. They believed it was not appropriate for anyone to oppose, in any fashion, “The Lord’s Anointed.” Some became lifted up in pride. Some made unbiblical demands of their students and staff, such as knowing all the details of their finances and being the final arbiter of who could and couldn’t get married. It was a weird time that fizzled out. Thank God!
If you read any spite filled posts condemning YWAM of evil, then there is a good chance that they fell victim to these very few situations. This does not in any way represent the real YWAM. If you attended one of these places, I, as a YWAM leader, apologize to you.
14. Don’t believe all random slander on the internet.
YWAM is the biggest mission on the planet so there are bound to be stories of people who had negative experiences. Sadly there are also trolls who love nothing more than to stir up lies and controversy, regardless of how hard leaders have worked to resolve disputes.
15. What is the overall outreach strategy of their mission location?
What objective does the YWAM ministry want to accomplish with their DTS’s. One of the reasons why niche DTS’s are a great choice is because everyone joins a bigger picture idea.
A diverse outreach with varying types of ministry is great for the DTS students to realize what different types of ministry would look like if they become full time missionaries. Alternatively, a focus on only a few laser-focused targets is better for long-term strategy. In general, if you want to deeply impact a location, then an entire month can see amazing results.
Story “Now this is mission work!”
I remember one time a young student, cuddling an orphan said to me, “This is wonderful. I’m so glad to finally be doing actual mission work.” I wasn’t sure how to respond, as the previous week the team had spent time with university students and led three students to Christ.
A successful outreach with have a good strategy but never an agenda.
What is their outreach strategy?
- What type of ministry will your outreach focus on?
- Who will the team perform that ministry for?
- Are you willing to drop your strategy in favor of God’s agenda?
Using performing arts, our base has been able to reach people who would otherwise not be able to be reached with the gospel.
Here are great questions to ask about previous outreaches to see if the YWAM location has a long term investment strategy in a location. Keep in mind, there can be numerous reasons why outreaches have not returned to a location, such as international Covid19 policies.
- Did the outreach team go back to ministries they had been to before?
- Did the outreach team connect the new converts to a local church for continues discipleship? (This is a big deal.)
- Did the YWAM ministry follow up with churches, new converts, and others they had ministered to?
16. What is the lecture phase accommodation like?
Every YWAM DTS has different accommodations, but it is typical that there will be a mattress to sleep on, perhaps on a bunkbed. There will usually be a nearby bathroom where you might need to compete for sink space. There will be healthy food. You’ll have to investigate what it is like where you want to go.
17. Policies regarding immunity, childhood vaccinations, covid19 gene therapy, and masks.
Each YWAM ministry will have their own approach to this. They will do their utmost to fulfil the legal requirements of the nation they are in, as well as meet students specific needs. Therefore some locations might require masks, regular temperature checks, and get all covid-19 boosters. Other locations, such as our Florida ministry, leave the discussion to the individual and their doctor.
Since we intend to travel internationally, we usually recommend students get standard vaccinations for that.
18. Write to former students who attended that DTS location
Search out YWAM Ministry profiles on Facebook and Instagram and ask questions of former students and staff. Most are happy to share about their amazing experiences.
Here are other related questions you will need to understand to make a wise decision.
Do you have to attend a DTS (Discipleship Training School) to be a YWAM missionary?
Yes. In order to be a YWAM missionary, the first step is to attend a DTS (Discipleship Training School.) No exceptions (ok, I knew of one but that got sorted out). How appropriate would it be for YWAM to promote someone to the role of a YWAM leader, who didn’t even understand the basics of YWAM? Therefore the DTS is where it all starts. There isn’t a centralized application process but every accredited DTS must maintain diligent record keeping with the University of the Nations for the sake of their students.
If you have ever done a Discipleship Training School then you are a part of our family. You get-it, you want to see the Great Commission fulfilled. So, even if you have gone your separate way, we still consider you a YWAMer.
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What flavor of DTS should I attend?
There are numerous niche types of Discipleship Training Schools. Electives are typically 2-6 hours / week. DTS is primarily about practicing spiritual disciplines and learning various important topics. As a separate elective, many DTS schools add on an extra niche or flavor. You could attend a horseback riding, camping, soccer, community development, or medical DTS.
At our ministry location in Florida, we specialize in Frontier Missions and Performing Arts. Once we fulfill the Uof N requirements, then we can focus on we make time for the extra-curricular ministry activities, often in the evenings.
If you love surfing, then you could find a base that adds that to their curriculum but that probably shouldn’t be your primary decision factor. Consider if you will use surfing as your ministry focus when you go on outreach. I know of a ministry near Phuket Thailand that has a used surfing in their wonderful ministry to children.
University of the Nations (the UofN) Accreditation
YWAMers are very practical and want to share Jesus. UofN trains students to go out into every sphere of society (I’ll discuss that in another article I’m writing) that God calls them to and be able to impact people with the gospel. Students are given professional, intellectual, spiritual and cultural training.
YWAM offers university degrees through the University of the Nations which is headquartered in Kona, Hawaii. The UofN has seven colleges where a student can get Associate’s, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
UofN wants to multiply mission workers using this model: Information + Application = Transformation. With this in mind, students get some head learning in a classroom setting and then they go and live out what they have learned.
A completed DTS will count towards 20-24 UofN college credits. Some outside higher educational institutions have accepted the UofN credits while others have not.
Is the DTS accredited? Yes, and it is the first step to a degree with the UofN. Once that pre-requisite is fulfilled, second and third level schools can be attended.
How old do you need to be to do a DTS?
Many bases require students to be 18, but some locations permit students to be as young as 16 or even younger if their parent is a part of the school.
What about people who are much older? Even though 95 year-old’s may attend a DTS, older people may find a crossroads-DTS or a Family DTS might better meet their needs. Those have the same curriculum but are catered to a different group of students. Also their outreaches are usually less vigorous. We are trying to reach lost souls with the gospel, not win an American Ninja Warrior competition.
Is it wrong that YWAMers use art to share the gospel?
Like God looked at King David’s heart, I believe God looks on all of our hearts. If we are doing our best to glorify God in what we are crafting, then I believe it pleases God.
Here is even more detailed information about Discipleship Training Schools
Lecture Phase (Know God)
For 12 weeks students will hear powerful teaching from missionaries and motivating speakers. During DTS students will grow close to God and close to one another in friendship. Romantic special relationships are not appropriate during this time, but we can evaluate each situation case by case.
Here are some common subjects taught
- Ways God Speaks / How to Hear God’s Voice
- Intimacy with Jesus
- How to Study and Understand the Bible
- Father heart of God/ Healing from Past Hurts
- Character and Nature of God
- Spiritual Warfare
- Intercession
- Worship
- God-Honoring Relationships
- Cultural Worldview
- Inductive Bible Study
- God’s redemption: sin and the cross
- Cross Cultural Evangelism
- Destiny and relationships
Lectures
Lectures are in 1 week segments and typically a guest teacher will travel to the DTS and teach on their area of expertise. By expertise, I mean these experts practice their specialty on a regular basis keeping their stories fresh and practical. We really practice what we preach.
Practical Work
Work Duties are a part of your training. Students will participate in chores that benefit the YWAM community. Your assignment may depend on the needs of the base and could include yard work, cleaning, computer work, or whatever is needed.
One-On-Ones
Students are provided a safe environment to talk through what they are learning and feeling with a staff member.
Small Groups
Small groups of around 4-8 have a time of discussion about what students are learning and prayer for each other’s needs.
Spiritual Disciplines
This includes quiet times, worship, intercession, journaling, and book reports.
Local Ministry/Outreach
In preparation for outreach, there will be some local practice opportunities. Staff members will guide students in evangelism, simple projects, or serving the community.
Outreach Phase (Make God Known)
The DTS emphasizes cross-cultural exposure and global awareness, preparing students to answer the call to “Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations” Matthew 28:19. During the lecture phase students learned how to share the gospel in other cultures. Now it is time to practice what has been learned. The practice portion is the most important part of your training. The biggest danger, you will discover is that of not wanting to come home.
Outreach could be anywhere on the entire planet! Most schools decide in advance where they plan to go, but there are plenty of others that pray about it and decide half-way through the lecture phase. Regardless of where you go, you will never be the same!
I’ve led over 67 outreaches and every single one was unique and amazing! I usually allocate a day into 3 slots and fill 2 of those slots in a day with a ministry. That could be whatever our local host (pastor, YWAM leader, village chief, …) needs us to do.
Here are some possibilities:
- Evangelism
- Performing in a church
- Teaching Bible studies or Sunday school
- Puppet shows for sick kids
- Prayer Walking
- Construction (carpentry and cement work)
- Bandage wounds
- Feeding the homeless
- Jump on a trampoline with orphans
- Playing soccer with village kids
- Dig a well or toilet hole for a widow
- Install PVC waterlines for refugees.
- Rebuild a washed out bridge to a village.
- Praying for families, house to house.
- Perform skits at an elementary school and then teach English.
7 tips for your outreach
- Serve God. Don’t set up a preconceived notion about how you intend to serve. Ask the local “Person of Peace,” who is hosting the outreach, how you can best serve, and then do that to the best of your ability.
- Make a friend. Try to build a close relationship with one person of the same gender who is of the culture you are ministering to.
- Learn the language. Try to memorize at least 1 word or phrase each day, in your outreach location (That is, if the people speak a different language.) Be willing to make language mistakes, it’s alright, they will forgive you.
- Don’t grumble. Some experiences will be difficult, exhausting, painful, etc… Your leaders and fellow students are aware as they are likely experiencing the same discomfort. Please don’t complain, but find ways to see each situation through God’s eyes. If you are happy amidst trials, that is truly the biggest witness for the truth of the gospel of Jesus.
- Don’t be arrogant. If we visit a church and the pastor has a different end times eschatology or freedom-grace theology, please don’t argue. We are not there to be “Right.” We are there to bring the love of Jesus.
- Dress nicely. Please accept the clothing standards that our outreach hosts ask us to wear. (How about that time when some girls on outreach, sunbathed in bikini’s on the lawn of the governor of the city)
- Obey our hosts. Please follow the safety requirements that our hosts ask us to follow. (Even if you don’t see any reason for the rule.)
End of Outreach Debrief
Students are provided a few days to rest and discuss with the group what they have learned. It is fun to look back on the many ways God provided and took care of the team during outreach. They will take time to discuss with the leaders their future plans.
Purpose and Outcomes of DTS
Approved by YWAM’s Global Leadership Team August 25, 2001
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.
I graduated DTS. Now what?
What is God telling you? You may want to get involved where you attended DTS or go on to another ministry location. Some ministry locations are crowded and are unable to house students after the completion of their school.
Should I attend a Second Level School with YWAM?
YWAM refers to training schools attended after the initial DTS as Second Level Schools. This could be School of Evangelism, School of the Bible, or School of Frontier Missions, or numerous others.
Here are some possible next steps after attending DTS:
Many DTS graduates go on to attend further UofN training.
- Follow the calling God put deep in your heart.
- Minister at another YWAM location, such as where you went on outreach.
- Attend a second level YWAM school.
- Stay on where you did your DTS
- Join “Mission Builders International”
- Join “Business As Missions”
- Enter the Spheres of Society as a business person
- Get a university degree
Sean Sanborn
Hi, my name is Sean Sanborn and my family joined Youth With A Mission in 1980. My parents have been with YWAM ever since. We lived in Thailand for 7 years and then as an adult I went back to Thailand for 12 more years leading over 67 outreach teams. With over 40 years of YWAM experience I’m sure I can help answer your questions. You can learn more about me here.
Questions?
Ask us about our next DTS.