DTS: A strong foundation
YWAM co-founder Darlene Cunningham says of the DTS,
"I believe [it] is the most important ministry/program we have in the whole of YWAM, because it is the doorway into the mission and the University of the Nations. It is the foundation for everything, where people are met with faith, where they come to understand the history and values of YWAM; where they are presented with mission opportunities...and it's where their own vision may be fueled."
"Hearing God speak to me during my DTS was a life changing experience." -- Thess, DTS 2006
DTS: Classroom
The first three months of DTS take place in a live and learn classroom setting, called the "lecture phase." During this classroom time, students study a variety of Christian life topics from visiting and residential YWAM teachers and leaders. Click
here for the curriculum.
DTS: Community Life
DTS students' learning experience goes way beyond the classroom. Much of our cross-cultural learning
comes from living "in community" with students and staff from many nations. We regularly eat together, pray and worship together, and get together for various social activities. Each student also serves the community through ten hours a week of essential campus work (Grounds keeping, maintenance, kitchen, hospitality, office support, etc.).
"Every lecture, every small group, every outreach--even our daily chores--drew us deeper into our relationship with God and with each other." -- Jan, DTS 2006
DTS: Outreach
From the first week of the DTS, students plug into the Madison community with local outreaches. Students have joined our Mercy Ministries teams in feeding the homeless downtown, worked with a food pantry on Madison's east side, and ministered to at-risk youth.
Besides local outreach, the outreach phase of the DTS is 10 weeks long. Students have gone to China, India, the Caribbean, Namibia, and other African countries to put what they learned into practice. Read the
outreach blogs for a glimpse of what a DTS outreach looks like.
DTS: Options
The
Fall DTS is designed specifically to encompass all ages and walks of life. The
Summer DTS will continue its focus for university students and school teachers who have summer availability. Students can choose to complete the lecture phase one summer and outreach the next summer.
DTS: University Credit
DTS is a 12 credit Christian training course with
Youth With A Mission's University of the Nations. The training consists of two phases: 12-weeks of classroom training and a 10-week practical field assignment. The DTS in Madison can be completed in one five month segment, or for university students, in two summer sessions. The University of the Nations offers several degree programs for graduates of the DTS.
DTS: Just the Beginning!
These courses will ensure your long-term effectiveness wherever God may call you -- whether that be in business or government, at another university, or serving as a missionary. Once you've done a DTS you can also serve on staff in Madison or at any of the more than 1,200 Youth With A Mission bases in 173 countries around the world.
If you have questions, read our
FAQs or call us at 888-4GO-YWAM or 608-255-0500 (dial 0 for operator). Or, email us your phone number and we'll call you.