DTS FAQ'S

We hope this page will help answer your questions, but if you would like to know more or have any additional concerns, please email us at dts@ywammazatlan.com. We'd love to help you figure out if DTS is right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What does a DTS involve?
• The Discipleship Training School [DTS] is an intensive Christian training course beginning with a 12 week bible based teaching phase followed by an 8-12 week practical outreach. The DTS is designed to encourage students in personal character development, cultivating a living relationship with God, and exposing them to the nations in God. It is also a prerequisite for all YWAM schools, and required for becoming staff anywhere in YWAM.
• Is the training all classroom style?
• We have informal and formal lectures… mostly in the lecture room but we are not stuck on sitting in chairs behind a desk… as well as taking a walk here and there … we are open to floor time and a casual feel.
• Will there be assignments or tests?
• No!! YAY!!! but there will be a few book reports as well as weekly journaling.
• Where do the guest speakers come from?
• We invite speakers from various locations - USA, Mexico, Australia, and even China. Our heart is to offer speakers from different cultures from both within and outside of YWAM.
• What is Outreach?
• Outreach is a time where you travel to other parts of Mexico or another nation and put into practice what you have learned during the lecture phase. It can be a stretching time as you share God's love in a variety of locations.
• Where is my Outreach going to go?
• You will have a choice of staying in Mexico or going overseas. Future overseas teams will include North and Central Africa, South and North America, The Caribbean and the Middle East. Contact your school leader or registrar to discover the outreach locations on the school of your choice. Generally students have locations finalized early in the school and are invited to pray individually as to where God is leading them on outreach.
• What happens on Outreach?
• Depending on where you go you will use a variety of outreach tools and do street evangelism, witnessing, meet new people from another culture and interact with them first hand. We want you to be released to minister to the people as God leads you and your team.
• Are there opportunities to serve after the DTS?
• Yes, many of the DTS graduates spend additional time learning and serving in YWAM Mazatlán or another Ywam Center. DTS is a prerequisite for all YWAM second level schools and is required to go on staff with any YWAM base around the world. Basically, after DTS the world is your oyster!
• Is the DTS full time?
• Yes, typically you are involved 5-6 days per week. In addition to daily classes, throughout the week you will be involved in base activities (worship and intercession times, special events, "Fun Days") and our local outreaches, as well as daily work duties and occasional weekend duties (roughly every 3-5 weeks depending on how many people are here).
• Where will I live?
• Our base is in Mazatlán. It is near the beach. The lifestyle is simple, with shared rooms providing an overall community experience. The base is an older converted hotel where most staff and students are located. We also have some families on staff located in houses within walking distance of the base. Students are housed dorm-style on the base in single-sex rooms with community areas for hanging out.
• Are there rules or guidelines I'll have to submit to?
• Yes. While we try to keep rules to a minimum, there are a few things we ask our students and staff to follow to keep things running smoothly and to respect the culture that we live in.
  For example, we ask that DTS students commit to not drinking alcohol, smoking, or going to local clubs while they are on their DTS. While that may be acceptable where you are from, in Mexico it can be very offensive to the more conservative churches. We want to work with and build up our brothers and sisters in Christ here, not push them away.
  We also ask that students refrain from starting romantic relationships while on their DTS. This is a time that's set aside for you and God and you'll get so much more out of it if you're not focused on whether or not that person likes you. After DTS, go for it! We love relationships, but our heart is for you to get the most that you possibly can out of your time here.
  If you'd like to know anything else, you can check out our Training FAQ's page for more about life on the base.
• What is the age range for a DTS?
• Generally the range for us is from 17 - 35, but we include any applicant with a heart for God and His Truth.
• What nations do DTS students come from?
• Applicants come from all over the world for our DTS's. Previously we have had students from North and South America, Mexico, The Middle East, Europe and the Pacific Islands for our training.
• What happens on a DTS?
• On a DTS you get to meet a crazy crew of people from all over the world, who you may never have met in any other situation. Your appreciation grows for the world, different cultures, and backgrounds, as you live and learn with the nations about God's plans and purposes for you and this world.
• Who should do a DTS?
• Anyone who has a passion to know GOD more and Make Him known.
• Why do a DTS? .
• To Equip YOU to grow in relationship with God, providing a solid Biblical foundation and encouraging the development of Christ-like character through the personal application of truth. It will challenge YOU to become involved in missions and world evangelization with YWAM or other ministries, awakening a burden for reaching the unreached. This will give YOU a vision for influencing all areas of society, and a commitment to strengthening the global Body of Christ. A DTS will impart to YOU an understanding of YWAM International, it's foundational values, calling and opportunities for service. A DTS will also prepare YOU for future service in the local church and community.

Ready to do a DTS? Click here to download your application form.

Got more questions? Don't be shy, email us: dts@ywammazatlan.com