Some of you might have had friends in YWAM (Youth with a Mission) who keeps telling you to do a DTS (Disciple Training School). I am writing this to tell you what exactly is a DTS, and how to improve your chances of actually getting accepted. I base this on more than four years of knowing YWAMmers and having done a DTS myself and going through the hassle of applying for them.
A DTS is basically considered a sort of foundational training for YWAM, and it is required for any long term participation in the organization. The training consists of around 12 weeks of lecture where you learn about who God is, what he’s like, spiritual warfare, missions training, etc. and in some case there may be local outreaches. There are also small groups and you will be assigned a staff who does a weekly one on one with you. After the 12 weeks of lecture (in some cases longer or shorter depending on the nature of the program and if God has “spoken” to the leaders to go on outreach before the end of their lecture phase), there are 8-12 weeks of outreach, often in a poor country (but not always) where you will put what you have learned during lecture to use. Activities include visiting nursing homes, orphanages, hospitals, other ministries and you would either simply visit them, or sing worship songs or play skits. Your mileage will vary depending on what the focus of your DTS is (if there is a special focus at all), and the region the base itself is called to. Vaccinations are strongly recommended if traveling to a developing country (and chances are, you will)! Inquire beforehand where you will go so you may prepare for this as if you come from Asia and doing a DTS in Europe or other Western countries, vaccinations tends to be more expensive. Also, be prepared for very hot weather with little relief if you come from colder countries and are unused to hot climates, since it just so happens that a lot of these poor, developing countries are in tropical regions.
Now to get into a DTS it is very important for you to know how YWAM defines discipleship. The reason for this is DTS is more training than discipleship! Based on my experience with YWAM, I believe they define discipleship as teaching them how to do missions. DTS does provide very good training if you are interested in becoming a career missionary (and by that I mean being supported by a church or organization, not as a tent making missionary). Keep in mind this is their selection criteria, despite what YWAM members/leaders will tell you!
As for their selection criteria, YWAM isn’t completely open about their selection criteria because they’ll tell you if God wanted you to do it, then you will be accepted. However a closer look at their DTS application (which there are no universal standards, each base makes their own application but they all contain similar questions) will reveal what exactly they’re looking for:
Ministry Experience: things like your experience in ministry such as working in church, etc.
Calling: What is your calling, and does that calling match the base’s focus.
Support: Source of funding, like church support or a group of friends/family member who has pledged to support you.
Strangely, ministry experience is actually not that important of a selection criteria for them because they’re looking for someone with a willingness to serve. So if you have no ministry experience, then be honest about this and display a willingness to learn. Doing a DTS counts as ministry experience anyways.
Calling is probably more important because they want someone who is called into missions and are willing to do whatever it takes to reach out to those in need. However it helps to make sure that your calling matches the base’s focus because sometimes they get too pent up in their own calling.
Support is the most important thing they look for, despite what they will tell you! What YWAM members will always tell you is that no one has been denied or kicked out of a DTS due to finances, but I suspect they probably use other reasons (like God said no). The truth is, God will provide for your needs no matter how great the amount, like a good father would, however YWAM leadership may not always share that belief. Therefore if you have problems with finances but you really want to do a DTS (and you believe God will bless you for it), keep your financial issues to yourself and tell them that you have the money if you believe that you will have it by the time you start the program (since the application process and any subsequent visa process takes at least 6 months, and DTS leaders isn’t known for their efficiency in processing applications!). Do know that you will not be allowed to work during the DTS (and your visa would not allow it either), but some “fund raising” may be conducted in your free time. Do know that if you run out of money, or it is clear to them that you have no money, they will not wait for God to provide. They will expel you. The most time you can expect for them to give you is right before outreach.
Finally, do not do a DTS to seek help, and if you are (and you believe that the ministry opportunities will help you), keep it to yourself. Otherwise be prepared to explain how a DTS will help you deal with your own problems and make you a better person. YWAM have a very different definition of discipleship than what an average troubled teen/needy person would expect. If it is clear to them that you are more work than they care to give, they will either not accept you, or expel you “for the good of the entire team”.
Bottom Line: Do a DTS to get training in doing missions work (and perhaps pursue a career in YWAM or other missions organization), but if you are seeking discipleship, your best friend (if he/she is a Christian) is probably much better at this than YWAM will care to give. Do expect a budget of around 4000 euros for a DTS in Europe, or about 3-5000 US dollars for a DTS in the US. A DTS in Kona may be upwards of 8000 USD or more!
