Curious about the details? Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive. Feel free at any time to contact us for more information!

 

What is a Discipleship Training School?
The DTS is an introductory “heart change” program that is designed to give you a solid foundation of personal discipline and Christ-like character while challenging you to grow in your relationship with the Lord and giving you real, overseas missions experience. Check out what previous students have to say about DTS.

 

What does a typical day look like?

We like to start our day off right. That’s why we begin each morning with time set aside to connect personally with the Lord through prayer and Bible study. Afterwards you’ll join your teammates in the classroom where we’ll focus on a different topic each week. Our topics are spiritually deep yet practical, ranging from evangelism and Bible study to godly relationships and the attributes of God’s character. What’s the goal? Changed lives! The accumulation of knowledge, even good Biblical truth, is worthless if we don’t apply it to our daily lives. You’ll see that emphasis again and again in the different activities of DTS.

Other regular activities include:
Small Groups – These groups of men or women provide an opportunity to build friendships while sharing what God is doing in their lives, process what’s being learned, praying for one another, and offering accountability and encouragement.
Ministry Prep - You’ll learn effective ways to share your faith wherever you go, with specific training for the cross-cultural ministry of your outreach. This may include creative tools like dramas and music.
Prayer Times – We want to be people who care about what God cares about. We’ll have regular times of coming together to pray specifically for the nations of the world.
Worship - We’ll gather often to honor God with our hearts and with our mouths.
Local Ministry - Missions doesn’t start when we leave the country! Throughout your DTS we’ll serve here in Louisville, whether by volunteering with ministries like homeless shelters or thrift stores, serving as mentors in after school programs, or sharing the Gospel with people we meet.
Work Detail - In our community we all work together to see that practical needs are met. As part of your training you’ll be given responsibilities that range from general cleaning to meal prep or yard work.

 

Will I get any time off during DTS?
It is important to keep in mind that DTS is not a typical university setting; it will require all of your attention and most of your time. During the fall, our DTS team will spend Thanksgiving ministering here in Louisville, but we have set aside time for students to return home during the Christmas season.

In a typical week, some evenings and weekends will be scheduled with ministry or other training-related activities. Many evenings and weekends, however, are available for students to study or to relax and hang out with one another. Our training facilities have common living areas where students gather and there are many bookstores, parks, and coffee shops in the local area as well.

 

What will outreach look like?
After your lecture phase is concluded, you’ll take the truth you’ve learned and put it into practice in a ministry setting. The field assignment starts with a short (approximately 10 day) ministry trip here in the United States, serving in churches, youth groups, and various ministries. 

Then at long last, you’re off! You and your team will spend the next six weeks sharing the message of Christ through the performing arts, acts of mercy, and friendships with people who don’t know Him. Each nation and outreach setting is different so ministry activities can vary greatly. Our goal is to take the name of Jesus to places where the Gospel is not readily available and share the message of hope in a compelling way.

 

How do I sign up?
Apply online or download an application today! Or you can contact us and we will mail you an application to fill out and send back to us.

 

How much does it cost?
The first three months of DTS costs $3290. Schools beginning in the fall will travel to a conference so they will have an additional $295.00 conference fee. Outreach is a separate expense and varies depending on location.

 

When is the tuition due?
A $250 deposit is due upon acceptance. The balance of $3040 plus any applicable conference fees is due in full the first day of DTS.

 

Can people who give towards my DTS receive a tax deduction?
Your DTS tuition is not tax-deductible through YWAM. Please make sure that any financial donors are aware of this.

 

How much spending money will I need?
Miscellaneous expenses like laundry, snacks, special dietary needs, gasoline, postage, doctor’s visits, etc., will be your own responsibility. 

 

 

Where will we go on our foreign outreach?
Due to multiple factors that influence this decision (i.e. team size, giftings, etc.) the staff of your school will be prayerfully considering different overseas locations as the starting date of the DTS approaches.  Previous teams have ministered in places like Turkey, India, and China. We’ll announce the outreach location(s) in the first few weeks of DTS. Feel free to contact us for more information about the foreign outreach.

 

What about vaccinations for outreach?
All students are asked to have up-to-date Hepatitis A and tetanus shots before arriving in Louisville for DTS.  Further immunizations are at your discretion and are your responsibility.  Check with the Center for Disease Control for recommendations specific to the country you will be visiting.

 

Can I get college credit for my DTS?
The Discipleship Training School comes under the umbrella of YWAM’s University of the Nations, and you will receive 20 credits upon successfully completing the course.  Many universities and colleges across the nation accept U of N credits, and the number of schools that do so is increasing. You should contact specific universities or colleges to inquire if they accept YWAM’s University of the Nations credits.

 

What denomination is Youth With A Mission?
YWAM is interdenominational, which means that we are comprised of people from many denominational and non-denominational backgrounds. We believe that the Bible is God’s Word, and our training is grounded in its principles. Read more about our values and beliefs, or check out YWAM International's website for more about our history and who we are.

a ministry ofyouth with a mission