DTS or Discipleship Training School is a 6-month discipleship program with an emphasis on getting to know God more and making Him known. What makes each school unique is the group of people coming from all kinds of different backgrounds, nationalities and walks of life.
Let's hear why some students and staff decided to do DTS!
I had spent so many years doing things I wanted to do (school, work, etc.) and I hadn't done anything purposeful for God or allowed Him to lead in my life. When I graduated from university, I felt like I should do a longer missions program (something longer than a week or two) so I decided on YWAM.
Honestly, I needed to get away from my parents (they know), to reconnect with faith, and figure out what to do with my life.
I wanted to grow closer to God and get a deeper foundation for my faith. I didn't want to start Uni without being in line with my purpose. And actually wanted the experience.
I did DTS after finishing university with the intention of traveling and getting some experience combining arts and faith before getting stuck in the day-to-day of work. I did not expect that meeting God in a new way and going on a mission trip to Ethiopia would redirect my career path and sharpen my understanding of purpose in my life.
4 years prior to my DTS I went to a missions conference where someone shared their DTS experience and outreach. I knew in that moment that DTS was for me - 4 years later I came ready to go wherever, whenever, to get equipped to do what God would call me into.
I felt called to missions and pushed to leave my comfort zone. God had spoken to me to go to different places and travel light. YWAM is what I felt called to and I needed to do a DTS in order to work with YWAM.
I did my DTS when I was 18. I wanted to make friends and travel and not go to school.
I did my DTS when I was 36, with the desire to be in full time missions. I fell in love with the ministry I was volunteering with in South Africa. So DTS was my gateway into full time ministry and I love it