In Youth With a Mission the Lord called us to train our missionaries. In 1968 the very first training school was offered in Lausanne, Switzerland. Why you might ask? Because the Lord directed our founders Loren and Darlene Cunningham to do so and we have learned over the 58 years of YWAM that when the Lord speaks we radically obey. Not only did God speak to us to train our missionaries, but He also spoke to have a University and so in 1978 the University of the Nations was called into existence. (Click on the links for more info).
Ok, great, training, but what is DTS?
What started out as the School of Evangelism of almost one year was later shortened to a more concise discipleship training school, thus DTS, of 20-24 weeks long. The first 12 weeks would be spend in the classroom, receiving solid biblical teaching from teachers from around the world on a variety of topics that would help the student to grow in their personal relationship with God, their understanding of God’s character, nature and ways as well as how to walk in their identity as a follower of Jesus.
It is then followed by a 8-12 weeks field assignment, all part of the DTS course. The first phase which we often call “Lecture phase”, can’t exist without the proper field assignment, which we also call “Outreach phase”. The two phases go together and must be completed before calling yourself a true “ywam-er”.
The Discipleship Training School is an intense time of learning both during lecture time as well as in the live-learn environment. All students live together on our YWAM Campus, share meals with the full time missionaries serving with YWAM and will have several corporate times of worship, intercession and family nights during their time with us. It is all part of the process of learning, growing in our relationship with the Lord, while also growing in our relationship with God’s people and with God’s world as we go on the field assignment together after our lecture phase is completed.
After the Field Assignment is completed we then return to the YWAM Campus where we initiated our journey and will have another few days of ‘debrief’ or ‘evaluation’ before we have a ‘graduation’ night in which we commission our students into the next thing the Lord has called them to do to expand His kingdom.
Some students stay on as full time missionaries with either their host location, where they completed their DTS or another YWAM Campus around the globe. You are now officially part of the YWAM Family and are able to join any YWAM location that the Lord would call you to.
Others hear the call from the Lord to return to their home town, either for education purposes or to enter into a sphere of society and bring the kingdom of God in the area of their degree.
No matter what your goal is for doing a DTS with YWAM, it can serve many different purpose, but keep in mind that this course is designed to challenge and grow you in your relationship with the Lord, with others and with God’s world. It is meant to inspire and cultivate that relationship towards growth resulting a Christ like character, which is based on a solid Biblical foundation, the Holy Spirit and a personal application of Biblical truth. It seeks to equip you in further service and respond to the heart cry of God to make Him known among the nations.
What does it require?
Not much really! Do you have a desire to grow in your relationship with God and your understanding of God. Are you willing to take 6 months of your life to invest in this, go deeper, grow in a Biblical Worldview, being inspired on how to make God known in new and creative ways? Have you finished high school and are not sure where to go in life or simply want to lay more foundation in your faith before heading out into the world, then this is something you might want to consider.
Does it cost me something?
Yes, it will cost you something, besides time you will need to cover the tuition of the course, which is different based on the YWAM location where you take the course. You will cover food, housing, travel (field assignment) and operational costs of the course. If you live far away from the location you choose, you will have to cover your airfare there and back.
Is it worth it?
Absolutely! God is raising up a new generation that walks with Him, talks with Him and is led by His Holy Spirit and is willing to radically obey what He calls them to do. Doing DTS can be the first step in the process of becoming a full time missionary either with YWAM or another organization. Putting aside 6 months of our lives to go deeper with God, know His ways, obey His ways, love His people and go out and spread the good news of the Gospel is more than worth it, don’t you think?
Where can I sign up?
Every trimester (January, April, July, September), YWAM San José starts a brand new DTS with new students!! You can sign up by visiting our website www.ywamsj.org or by visiting us on the YWAM SJ Facebook or you can write us by filling out the form below or write an email to dts@ywamsj.org.
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR – APPLY TODAY!!
Equipping and Sending 