Discipleship Training School (DTS) is an intensive 5-month discipleship program designed to equip you to Know God and Make God Known.
Start by building a strong relationship with Jesus Christ, get trained to share the gospel in any context, then be sent out to the nations to be part of fulfilling the Great Commission.
*Applicants must be 18 years of age before arrival date.
The starting point in your adventure of Knowing God and Making God Known.
Not sure which one is for you? Take the Quiz here
Step out in faith, Embark on a journey, be trained and prepared, adventure with God, and pioneer with us.
God has planted unique gifts, passions, and desires inside of you! He created you with those and wants to use your gifting to impact the world.
Depending on the elective, you may have opportunities to participate in activities around the city and learn new skills. Some electives may run throughout the entire duration of your school, while others may only run during the lecture phase or the outreach phase.
Each DTS elective is an optional course add-on. You are not required to choose one to participate in the DTS.
Do you have a passion to reach the poor, the needy, and the hurting? You can be the change you're praying for. Come and deepen your understanding of God's compassionate heart and join us as we seek to bring hope and help to those who desperately need it.
You’ll take part in ministries within our city, impacting and restoring hope to the hopeless and showing Christ’s love in a practical way amidst poverty. You’ll learn to respond with God’s heart to the brokenness of the world, as well as how to impact lives with the gifts God has given you.
Our Compassion Elective is currently offered alongside our Classic DTS.
A revivalist is someone who’s foundation is grounded in an intimate relationship with Jesus, infused with a desire to know God’s presence more and more, changing atmospheres and bringing transformation wherever they go.
This elective is born out of the Burning Hearts DTS and is designed for those who want to grow a deeper understanding of what it means to live a life of complete dependence on the Holy Spirit. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to recognize his voice and respond to his guidance with radical obedience?
Join us as we learn how to effectively communicate the gospel message and be led by the Holy Spirit in all that we do. We’ll be living out what we believe, worshiping, evangelizing, and prophesying. However, there’s no formula to this—some days we might worship for hours while other days the Holy Spirit might lead us to the streets to express his generosity to the needy.
Whatever it is, you’re invited to come and learn how to host the presence of God all while living daily with a heart surrendered in love and service to Christ. This elective is currently offered alongside our Burning Hearts DTS.
Together with our Kings Kids ministry, you’ll have the chance to explore and discover God’s heart for the next generation. You’ll learn how to know and understand the emerging generation in order to serve and help them. We believe in what God has for the next generation and will learn how to engage them through building relationships and working with their families.
During this elective, you’ll have the opportunity to serve in local breakfast centers in needy neighborhoods. You’ll find new creative ways to give, not only physically, but spiritually to this new generation. The emerging generation needs good examples of people who follow the voice of God. You can be one of them!
Our Emerging Generation Elective is currently offered alongside our Classic DTS.
This elective is about raising up passionate people who want to engage in Ocean Adventures in order to impact lives by carrying the gospel message through unique activities like surfing, paddle-boarding, sailing, and kayaking.
You'll learn how to effectively communicate the gospel message through any activity. So, if you're passionate about ocean adventure activities and want to learn how to fuse that passion with the message of Jesus, then this elective is for you!
Our Ocean Adventures Elective is currently offered alongside our Engage and Impact DTS.
Our vision for YWAM Ships Mazatlan is to use vessels to access and bring healthcare to isolated people both on the coastlands of Mexico and the Pacific Rim. During the lecture phase of this DTS, you will learn about God’s heart for the isolated and unreached.
This one is for the adventure-junkies and those passionate about medical care, the ones who aren’t afraid to go, the ones who are willing to go to the most isolated and least-reached people in the world, using healthcare partnered with ships as a tool to get there.
Our YWAM Ships elective is currently offered alongside all of our DTS programs.
Whether you like acting, dancing, singing, or expressing yourself artistically, this elective is for you. You’ll be able to use creative art as a tool to do creative evangelism, drawing the attention and awakening the interest of a generation that will be able to see something different in you. We carry a message of truth and freedom for everyone!
Creativity will come from the guidance of the Holy Spirit awakening and using the gifts and talents he’s given you and breaking all fear of man by expressing yourself in your original design. Join us and be part of leaving your fears behind and letting God use you through creative art.
Our Creative Arts Elective is currently offered alongside our Classic DTS.
God wants to use your creativity to co-create with him! The Creators and Innovators elective is designed to train you to use media and digital communications to tell the stories of what God is doing in the nations.
Come and discover how to use digital platforms to effectively engage a broad audience and create a lasting impact wherever God calls you to.
You’ll also learn how to use photography, videography, social media, and writing as powerful tools to share the gospel and mobilize others to join the global missions movement.
The Creators and Innovators Elective is currently offered alongside our Burning Hearts DTS and Engage and Impact DTS.
This elective is for those who desire to invite the presence of God into all areas of life through worship. Each week we’ll learn more what it looks like to live a lifestyle of worship, discovering the freedom to worship as God leads as we overcome fear. We’ll look for opportunities to take worship to the streets by joining up with local ministries run by other staff on campus.
Musicians and singers will also have the chance to try out for our worship team and sign up for one-on-one coaching (if available).
Not a musician? Don’t worry—musical ability is not a requirement to join this elective. Bring your gifts, whatever they may be, and see how God wants to use you to bring him glory and honor wherever you go.
This elective is designed for those who want to deepen their understanding of the Bible and its transformative power. You’ll have a chance to regularly join in with our House of Encounter ministry as well as participate in extra classes such as The Art of Storytelling, How to be Led by the Holy Spirit, and How to Read and Study the Bible.
We learn our dependency on the Holy Spirit in reading his word and see how his word comes alive. We want to know him intimately in the different ways he reveals himself to us. Join us as together we learn how to interact with and respond to the truth of the Bible, inviting God to encounter us however he desires.
We want to have a willing and humble heart posture for God to reveal unbelief and untrue thoughts, being set free as we embrace the truth while we walk with him. If you’re ready to experience the Bible as the living document that it is, then this elective is for you!
Our Spirit of Truth Elective is currently offered alongside our Burning Hearts DTS.
This elective is designed for those who want to deepen their understanding of the Bible and its transformative power. You’ll have a chance to regularly join in with our House of Encounter ministry as well as participate in extra classes such as The Art of Storytelling, How to be Led by the Holy Spirit, and How to Read and Study the Bible.
We learn our dependency on the Holy Spirit in reading his word and see how his word comes alive. We want to know him intimately in the different ways he reveals himself to us. Join us as together we learn how to interact with and respond to the truth of the Bible, inviting God to encounter us however he desires.
We want to have a willing and humble heart posture for God to reveal unbelief and untrue thoughts, being set free as we embrace the truth while we walk with him. If you’re ready to experience the Bible as the living document that it is, then this elective is for you!
Our Spirit of Truth Elective is currently offered alongside our Burning Hearts DTS.
The cost of outreach all depends on how far you travel! The further you go, the more expensive the flights become, hence the increase in price. Here we have a breakdown of areas you could go, and their corresponding cost brackets.
Outreach fees listed are estimated, and final budgets will be announced during the lecture phase along with locations, which vary per school. Fees for the 12-week field assignment include transportation (i.e. airfare/bus), housing and food.
Schools that participate in CARNAVAL, this will count as a portion of your outreach. Part of your outreach costs will be due within the first few weeks, as this event will take place within the lecture phase.
To be paid in full by the 8th week of lectures for those traveling outside of Mexico, and by the 10th week for those traveling within Mexico.
Have other questions? Email us at schools@ywammazatlan.com
We are a completely bilingual campus! Meaning, speaking only Spanish or English will be more than enough. If neither Spanish nor English is your first language, you just need to comprehend and/or speak one. That being said, we’ve had students in the past that weren’t fluent in either of our languages, and they’ve been willing, amazing people that brought amazing life and culture to our base family. Pray about it! We don't want to hold you back if you're called here.
Our YWAM campus is located within walking distance to lots of ‘Tiendas’ (little shops), restaurants, yummy tacos, scenic spots, and coffee shops, as well as some great beaches. Wal-Mart and other grocery stores, the Golden Zone (tourist area), excellent restaurants, movie theatres, and a shopping mall are either a short taxi/uber ride or bus ride away.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided and all meals are eaten together on our outdoor patio, which looks out over the ocean! Our campus has a kitchen run by our staff and students. We do our best to accommodate all health restrictions (gluten-free, dairy-free), but know that there might be times where we are unable to. There is a fridge for students to use and store personal food in.
For girls – there are no short shorts or skirts, no crop tops. When it comes to swimming, we require swim shorts, and a one piece/tank top.
For guys – Please no speedos. Please don’t have your boxers showing or be shirtless unless swimming.
This will all be covered more in-depth in your welcome pack, after applying!
Your airline will determine how much/what kind of luggage you can bring; however while on outreach you will be limited to one pack/suitcase. So pack accordingly. Large hiking/trekking backpacks are ideal for Outreach, but you can get along with a duffel or suitcase if you can't get your hands on a backpack. We totally recommend having a hiking pack if possible. Your accommodations during the Lecture Phase will be limited in personal storage space, so keep that in mind! Everything you bring on to DTS will need to be taken with you on outreach. We have no extra storage space on our campus.
You’ll need a set of good clothes for local church and ministry, casual clothes for lectures/leisure. We tend to be pretty casual at the campus, but churches here tend to dress up more. Also, depending on where you go on outreach, girls may need longer skirts and long sleeve shirts for working in remote communities. That can be purchased here if needed. And don’t forget some dress clothes for your graduation!!
*Because of the humidity here, clothes can occasionally get stretched out. Keep this in mind when you’re packing your favorite things (but don’t pack like your going to the wilderness either! We still enjoy wearing nice, stylish clothes as much as anyone!
Here's a blog to help!
Here's a blog to help you!
10 Ways to Excel At Fundraising For YWAM DTS and Other Mission Trips
Suggested Reading on Raising Support:
Friendraising: Building a Support Team That Lasts by Betty Barnett
Funding Your Ministry: Whether You’re Gifted or Not by Scott Morton
People Raising: A Practical Guide to Raising Support by Bill Dillon
In regards to the hot months- do not worry! There is an AC unit in each bedroom and classroom, and we are blessed to have that during the summer!
For payment options, please go to the Donate Page and then click on the payment options link.
We have Wifi at the campus that works well. If students want to have cell coverage everywhere they go, they are welcome to call their current provider about extending coverage to Mexico or getting a data plan here that the staff can help set up. Most students tend to use Skype/Facetime/Facebook Messenger to keep in touch with family and friends, which can all be used off of Wifi.
How much you’ll need will really depend on your personal spending habits. Plan on $20 USD a week to cover toiletries, snacks and extra food, and other unexpected expenses.
In your dorm-style rooms, you are given a bunk bed, mattress, shared bathroom, and a limited selection of personal storage space. You will need to provide your own bedding for the duration of the school. You can either bring these things with you, or purchase them at a store here! The first days of your school are arrival days, and there are many trips to nearby stores to pick up whatever you might need to get situated in your room! Pillows especially- feel free to buy them here.
It’s best to have your money in an account that allows you to have an ATM card. It’s easy to make withdrawals down here at the banks, but make sure you have notified your bank you will be outside your country.
You can use one of the local laundry mats, “lavanderias”, that will wash, dry, and fold your laundry for roughly $1.50 USD per kilo. There are also a few staff who offer laundry service as well, drop off and pick up service to support their finances to be here!
Yes, like all countries, there is brokenness, hurting people, and corruption in Mexico. God has called us to be bearers of light and hope, to be a part of Him redeeming Mexico, one story and family at a time. Our campus is located in a perfect spot where we can reach places that God has called us to go to, but also host students from all over the world and have an incredible place to do that without jeopardizing safety.
We live in a middle-class neighborhood located directly on the boardwalk of the city, which is one of many places that are safe. Just like any other city in the world, there is wisdom to how we live here, and that doesn't change wherever you are. Our campus is a closed-to-the-public building, and only students and staff live there!
Because of our community-style culture, we're always doing things together. Ministry, going out for tacos at night, walks to coffee shops. We have set curfews at night, and a security guard that takes care of our campus at night.
A few practical things you can do is make sure you have a compact sleeping bag, a hiking pack (or something else that’s easy to travel with if there aren’t paved roads), conservative clothes that are easy to wash (depending on where you go, washing by hand may be your only option), and preparing to pack as little as possible. Lots of students make the mistake of bringing too much stuff on Outreach and end up regretting it when they’re running to catch a bus or trudging up a hill. Keep it as simple as possible and leave room/money for buying gifts/other things you may pick up along the way.
Be flexible! Things might not always be the way you expect them to turn out, or community living might be brand new for you; but be prepared to change your expectations and let God work in your heart. Some of the best lessons in life come when we learn to allow God to transform us when things get hard, and we end up being grateful for the lesson learned!
+1 (321) 473-7650
Las Palmas 15 Los Pinos,
Mazatlan, Sinaloa
Mexico
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