How To Choose A YWAM DTS
October 19, 2020 - January 1, 2030
How To Choose A YWAM DTS
How To Choose A YWAM DTS!
There are a huge number of different locations around the world to do a YWAM DTS. Maybe choosing the best YWAM DTS location for you feels overwhelming or knowing which YWAM base is best is confusing.
If you are unsure about what’s next for you, what you’re called to, or who you’re called to, then we’re here to help!
So how are you supposed to know what YWAM DTS to choose?
To choose a YWAM DTS you need to work out what you are looking for in a DTS, what is important to you, and how God is leading you.
There are hundreds of different YWAM Discipleship Training Schools (DTS) all over the world.
Some are a classic theme, and some have different passion-based themes; some are close to home, while others are on the opposite side of the globe; some are incredibly expensive, and some are very reasonably priced.
Here are 5 helpful suggestions of things to consider that will help you discern where God may be calling you to do your YWAM DTS!
Figure Out What You’re Passionate About
You may have noticed (maybe you’ve searched on ywam.org) that different DTSs around the world sometimes have different passion-based focuses or themes.
At Marine Reach, we call them streams. God has placed unique gifts and passions within you, and it’s on purpose! It’s part of who you are. We have found that it’s helpful to consider this when choosing a DTS, as you’ll likely find other people on a similar journey to you, and possibly be using these tools on your outreach!
You can find which theme, school, or stream best fits you personally by asking yourself: For the next few months, what do I want to focus on? What are my specific interests and passions? Is there something God has gifted me with that He wants to use or develop?
Decide When You Want to Do a DTS
Different YWAM Bases operate on different calendars, but generally, they will run their programs on a quarterly basis (that is, 4 school intakes per year).
Sometimes it’s helpful to consider other commitments or dreams when you’re considering when you would like to do your DTS. For example, you may plan to attend university in January, so you’d be looking for a DTS that finishes with enough time to prepare for your time at university. At Marine Reach, we offer our programs starting every January, April, July, and October.
Check out our blog post about the best season to do a DTS here.
Think About Where You Are Called
Whether you want to stay close to home or go across the world, there are often many opportunities for both. Depending on which YWAM Base and DTS you choose, different bases and schools have locations and/or countries they routinely focus on for their outreaches. What language do you want to speak? Where do you want to go? Is there a region or people group you feel called to?
At Marine Reach, we love to serve the people of Vanuatu and regularly send DTS outreaches to this beautiful Pacific Island. You can find out more about our work in Vanuatu here.
Find Out the History of the Base You’re Looking At
It’s always super helpful to get first-hand perspectives on the base and school you’re considering, so what better way than testimonies?!
Whether it’s videos or stories, finding out what other people are saying about the base you’re interested in attending can contribute to your final decision in choosing a DTS. (We have a whole page of video testimonies from people who have been part of a Marine Reach DTS here if you’re interested.)
Also, consider how long that YWAM Base has been active, and whether the community seems to be thriving (or otherwise). Check out the social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, etc.) to get a sense of the community life, and whether you could see yourself being a part of it!
Commit It to God in Prayer
After all the research you’ve done, it’s time to submit it all to God in prayer and trust that He will guide you. God is a communicator!
By praying, we involve God in our plans and invite Him to lead us.
Has God given you peace about any of your options? Has He spoken to you in His “still, small voice”? Has He confirmed it through a scripture? As we grow in learning how to hear God’s voice, we always want to seek His will, because He knows what’s best!
Here at Marine Reach, we have 10 different DTS streams to choose from:
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Wild Heart – People who are ready for the adventure; willing to do anything and go anywhere for Jesus.
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Medical Compassion – People with a heart of compassion wanting to know more about medical missions.
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Leadership and Pioneering – People willing to use ideas and dreams to explore the unknown.
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Worship – People passionately reflecting Jesus in the way they worship.
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Prayer and Passion – People seeking intimacy in their relationship with God through prayer.
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Cover to Cover – People with a hunger for God’s Word and want a deeper understanding of the Bible.
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Justice Movement – People who will be a voice for the voiceless, see the forgotten, justice for the unjust.
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Pilgrimage – People wanting to walk with Jesus while stretching themselves both physically and spiritually.
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Go Pacific – People ready to dive deep into culture and God’s love for others.
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Kingdom Come – People with epic faith expecting God to move.
Remember this experience is unique to every individual, and will look different for us all ! God will meet you just where you are!!
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“God showed me that true worship always comes out of a place of intimacy and revelation of what Jesus has done for me. I realized that this is were I want to be – sitting at His feet and pouring out my love and affection before Him, because He’s so worthy.”
Julianna Suter, 20, Switzerland
“The Pilgrimage DTS allowed me to take the time I needed to get to know God more and grow closer to Him while spending lots of time in His beautiful creation. God also used the hikes to challenge and encourage me to rely on Him more.”
Colin Berkley, 24. B.C. Canada
“Last year I decided to seek after God wholeheartedly and applied for the Pilgrimage DTS. Going on this journey (physically and spiritually) has been life-changing! Instead of wandering on my own, I am now following the Almighty God. I have rediscovered a personal and intimate relationship with my Creator!”
Tim Stallard, 26, Switzerland
“Being a part of the Justice Movement Stream has really challenged the way I see and define justice. It has made me more passionate and aware of the help this broken world needs, and what I can do to bring a stop to the injustice. I can now confidently say that I am able to take on the world, seeking justice and mercy for people in need.”
Chelsea Logan, 19, Newcastle, Australia
“Doing a DTS and being part of the worship stream was absolutely life changing for me. God took me from a luke-warm, passive, prideful faith, to an authentic passionate relationship with Him. As he revealed His worthiness to me, I learned to let go of everything in this world and cling to Him; to allow myself to be undone in His presence.”
Lauren Balzer, 18, BC Canada
“Our DTS was a time set apart to seek God’s face and encounter Him in a completely new way. During those five months, He realigned our heart and mind with His heart and His thoughts for us. We found that to love Him and to sit at the feet of Jesus is the only place we want to be and to live our lives from.”
Emmanuel & Emelie Linder, 28 & 26, Sweden
“Medical Compassion DTS was a truly an incredible experience. Working in health centres, hospitals and pop-up clinics grew my interest in medicine and allowed me to practically show the love of God. For me, the most transformational aspect of my Med-Com DTS was the focus on compassion and its importance in achieving true holistic healing. This is an experience like no other!”
Matthew Bassett, 18, Orewa, NZ
“My life used to be run by my fears, my struggles, and my failures. I had no way of fighting them because I didn’t know the truth. Over my time with YWAM and beyond, I have encountered so much freedom as God has shown me the truth of who He is in His Word. Dive into the Bible on Cover to Cover and watch God transform you as He begins to show you who He really is and who you were really made to be.”
David Souter, 22, England
“I’ve learn what the Kingdom means for us, how can we bring the Kingdom here and just share it with others… That makes me super excited! The key is to listen to God’s voice, seek His face and His presence! Everything else will be added as he promised is Matthew 6:33!”
Estera Welchar, 22, Poland
“The GoPac Stream challenged me to broaden my view for the people around me, to step out of my comfort zone, and to expand the love that God has put inside of my heart, to love Him and others more.”
Alex Ronsdorf, 24, Germany