DTS Overview

Summary

Discipleship Training School (DTS) is the foundational training school of YWAM. At YWAM Sendai, DTS is a full-time school of discipleship, community life, and mission designed to help students know God more deeply, grow in Christian character, and respond to His call.

DTS is not only a course of study. It is a live-learn training environment in which students grow through teaching, worship, prayer, mentoring, shared life, practical service, and outreach.

DTS normally lasts about 5 to 6 months and includes both a lecture phase and an outreach phase.

What is DTS?

DTS stands for Discipleship Training School.

It is the entry-level school of YWAM and is intended to provide a foundation in:

knowing God
hearing His voice
understanding Christian discipleship
growing in character
living in community
participating in mission

DTS is a prerequisite for many further YWAM training pathways and for long-term staff service in YWAM.

What is the purpose of DTS?

The purpose of DTS is to help students:

know God more deeply
become more like Jesus in character and obedience
understand mission more clearly
grow in faith, maturity, and surrender
make God known through practical witness and service

At YWAM Sendai, DTS also aims to help students grow in:

cross-cultural understanding
relational maturity
compassion and service
readiness to participate in God’s purposes locally and globally

What are the main parts of DTS?

DTS includes two main phases:

lecture phase
outreach phase

Lecture phase

The lecture phase focuses on biblical teaching, discipleship, worship, prayer, community life, and personal formation.

Outreach phase

The outreach phase gives students the opportunity to put learning into practice through mission and service in real contexts.

Depending on the school, outreach may include:

evangelism
mercy ministry
church partnership
cross-cultural ministry
practical service
team-based mission experience

For more detail about the structure, rhythm, and curriculum of DTS, see DTS Structure and Curriculum.

What is DTS like at YWAM Sendai?

DTS at YWAM Sendai is shaped by the local context of Sendai and the wider Tohoku region. This means students should expect not only general YWAM discipleship themes, but also formation connected to:

life in Japan
community-based mission
cultural humility
prayerful presence
service rooted in place and relationship

Students should also expect DTS to involve:

classroom learning and small-group processing
personal reflection and practical service
one-on-one mentoring
shared community rhythms
preparation for outreach and ministry

Who is DTS for?

DTS is for people who want to:

grow in their relationship with God
be discipled in Christian community
explore mission more deeply
respond to God’s direction for their life
build a foundation for future ministry or training

DTS is often a good fit for people at a transition point who want focused time for discipleship and discernment.

Is DTS required for other YWAM pathways?

Yes. DTS is the foundational YWAM school and is normally required before entering many other YWAM training programs or joining long-term staff.

At YWAM Sendai, completion of DTS is required before applying for long-term staff.

What should students expect from DTS?

Students should expect:

full participation in the school
community life and shared rhythms
personal growth and challenge
academic and practical responsibility
openness to correction and discipleship
outreach preparation and team participation
a season that may be spiritually stretching as well as deeply formative