Discipleship Training School
Do you have a desire to grow closer to God? Do you desire to learn more about the God that created the universe but loves you so much He knows the number of hairs on your head? Are you so in love with God that you want to travel to the ends of the earth to share the good news of the Gospel? A discipleship training school (DTS) is a great place to start.
The Discipleship Training School (DTS) seeks to bring you into a more intimate relationship with God. It also gives you an opportunity to discover your passions and your part in God’s purposes for the world. It is for those who long to follow Jesus in new ways with a different perspective.
The course is a full-time program and lasts five or six months. It consists of two parts: lecture phase and outreach phase. In the lecture phase, you will learn more about God and His world. You’ll learn not only from lectures but also from community living and practical training. The outreach phase focuses on applying what you learned in the classroom through an intense, cross-cultural experience.
After completing a DTS you can either continue training with YWAM or apply to be staff at more than 1,600 ministry locations around the world.
The Discipleship Training School (DTS) seeks to bring you into a more intimate relationship with God. It also gives you an opportunity to discover your passions and your part in God’s purposes for the world. It is for those who long to follow Jesus in new ways with a different perspective.
The course is a full-time program and lasts five or six months. It consists of two parts: lecture phase and outreach phase. In the lecture phase, you will learn more about God and His world. You’ll learn not only from lectures but also from community living and practical training. The outreach phase focuses on applying what you learned in the classroom through an intense, cross-cultural experience.
After completing a DTS you can either continue training with YWAM or apply to be staff at more than 1,600 ministry locations around the world.
Lecture Phase (1st half of the DTS)
The Discipleship Training School (DTS) lecture phase provides classroom learning, community-bonding, and heart change. It’s a chance to have your perspectives altered and your view of God deepened.Class
Lecture phase engages the mind. It will take place on our YWAM Base (campus) in Savusavu, Fiji, and lasts eleven to twelve weeks. You will receive powerful teaching from motivating speakers and missionaries, meant to provoke, challenge, and encourage. Issues like hearing the voice of God, identity, sin and forgiveness, and much more are discussed. Classroom time is a chance to build friendships and dig deeper into the questions we all have.
Practical Work A key part of character development is serving those around us. A part of DTS is working to keep the YWAM community functioning, while teaching teamwork and dedication. Whether it is gardening, cleaning, reception, or something else, this side of DTS helps you become a part of the community of YWAM around you.
Small Groups and One-On-OnePerhaps one of the most important parts of DTS is small groups and one-on-one discipleship. These times will allow you to process what you’re learning about God in a safe environment. One-on-ones are usually held with a DTS staff member, someone who is with you throughout the entire lecture phase. It is their goal to help you grow through mentorship and counsel.
Small groups are held with other DTS students. Here, you can see how your other classmates are being challenged as well. With vivid discussions and personal input into what you’re learning, these are not only times to get to know your classmates better, but also a time to experience the change in others.
Local Ministry/Outreach Personal transformation leads to the transformation of community. You will have a chance to make a difference in the surrounding society through ministry and mini-outreaches. Whether it’s teaching the gospel, working on a community project, or praying for the town or city, your DTS staff will guide you every step of the way, equipping you to impact a neighborhood.
Practical Work A key part of character development is serving those around us. A part of DTS is working to keep the YWAM community functioning, while teaching teamwork and dedication. Whether it is gardening, cleaning, reception, or something else, this side of DTS helps you become a part of the community of YWAM around you.
Small Groups and One-On-OnePerhaps one of the most important parts of DTS is small groups and one-on-one discipleship. These times will allow you to process what you’re learning about God in a safe environment. One-on-ones are usually held with a DTS staff member, someone who is with you throughout the entire lecture phase. It is their goal to help you grow through mentorship and counsel.
Small groups are held with other DTS students. Here, you can see how your other classmates are being challenged as well. With vivid discussions and personal input into what you’re learning, these are not only times to get to know your classmates better, but also a time to experience the change in others.
Local Ministry/Outreach Personal transformation leads to the transformation of community. You will have a chance to make a difference in the surrounding society through ministry and mini-outreaches. Whether it’s teaching the gospel, working on a community project, or praying for the town or city, your DTS staff will guide you every step of the way, equipping you to impact a neighborhood.
Outreach Phase (2nd half of the DTS)
During the Discipleship Training School (DTS) outreach phase, you will join with others to take the message and love of God across the world. You will learn about the diversity of cultures and will participate in God’s purposes for the places you visit.
Field Placement The DTS outreach phase will give you the chance to apply the principles you learned during your lectures. You can put all of your new perspective into action by sharing God’s truth in different places all around the world. The goal is to share the love of God which you have experienced in your own life.
Your Outreach LocationThere is an array of locations for DTS outreach–a whole world, in fact! Some DTS's will have already decided where outreach will be held beforehand. Others will decide on these locations after you arrive.
Debrief By the time outreach ends, you will have seen and experienced a lot of new things. This is why we always have a debrief time at the end of outreach. It is a time to regroup, share stories of how God moved, and process what God did through you and others during the DTS. It’s also a time to explore your next steps after DTS.
Field Placement The DTS outreach phase will give you the chance to apply the principles you learned during your lectures. You can put all of your new perspective into action by sharing God’s truth in different places all around the world. The goal is to share the love of God which you have experienced in your own life.
Your Outreach LocationThere is an array of locations for DTS outreach–a whole world, in fact! Some DTS's will have already decided where outreach will be held beforehand. Others will decide on these locations after you arrive.
Debrief By the time outreach ends, you will have seen and experienced a lot of new things. This is why we always have a debrief time at the end of outreach. It is a time to regroup, share stories of how God moved, and process what God did through you and others during the DTS. It’s also a time to explore your next steps after DTS.
DTS Dates and Location
With several YWAM bases in Fiji running DTS's we have many different school starting dates and locations. You can either browse the different base websites (follow this link to the list of bases) or contact us via email and we can put you in touch with the bases directly.
