What is a YWAM DTS? A Beginner’s Guide

So you’ve heard about YWAM DTS (Discipleship Training School), and it sparked your curiosity. But what exactly is it? If you need some concrete information, you’re in the right place. Let me break it down for you.

What is YWAM?

Youth With a Mission is an international missions organization with the mission “to know God and make God known.” It was started in 1960 by Loren Cunningham, who had a vision to see young people fulfill the Great Commission across the globe. YWAM as a whole focuses on evangelism, missionary training, and mercy ministries. There are over a thousand independent bases across the world in over 180 countries that each have their own unique blend of training schools and ministries.

What is a DTS?

The Discipleship Training School is a foundational missionary training school in YWAM. It’s an opportunity to set aside 5 months to grow in your relationship with God, learn about missions, develop a biblical foundation for your faith, be discipled by a loving community, and be equipped with tools to do ministry and put them into practice.

How does DTS work?

The first three months of a YWAM DTS consist of the lecture phase, where you have lectures with a new speaker and topic each week, such as: The Character and Nature of God, Freedom and Identity, Bible Overview, Evangelism, etc. Things like small groups, worship, prayer, community responsibilities, and electives or “tracks” are also an integral part of DTS. The next two months, you go on international outreach to take the gospel to the nations!

Is YWAM DTS worth it?

It depends on your goals. Do you want to let God take you to a deeper level of relationship with Him? Do you want to experience a community where you'll be loved and challenged to grow? Do you want to bring the gospel to the furthest corners of the earth? Do you want to step out and follow a calling to know God and make God known? If so, THEN YES!

Learn about our next DTS here.