DTS – Frequently Asked Questions
DTS – Frequently Asked Questions
Youth With A Mission is an international non-profit faith ministry and is not underwritten by any group, church or denomination. The school programs are not financed from outside sources. Costs such as food, electricity, travel, speaker expenses, classroom supplies, etc. are met mostly by the student fees, although reliance is placed on God to provide for larger expenses such as the equipment and property. You will be expected to provide your fees as listed below.
This FAQ list provides answers concerning DTS and monetary questions.
- If you have any DTS related questions that are not in the sections below, email us at dts@ywammuizenberg.org
YWAM’s Discipleship Training School is a program designed for those 18 years and older (or who have completed High School) who want to grow in understanding who God is and what it means to live with Him. The DTS takes place in a community setting, inviting people to leave behind work, school studies and other responsibilities for the six months of the program.
Once you graduate from the DTS many doors in YWAM are open to you. In over 1,000 locations worldwide YWAMers are using their talents and gifts to serve Christ and fulfil the Great Commission. Many DTS graduates pursue further education and training through YWAM’s University of the Nations, others join the staff team at the location where they did DTS and some serve at another YWAM location around the world. At YWAM Muizenberg we run several second-level training schools including the School of Biblical Studies, Discipleship Bible School, Children at Risk School, School of the Word and Spirit and others. There are also many ministry opportunities available around the world within YWAM and you can check out the rest of our website to see what we’re involved in as YWAM Muizenberg. We would ask you to prayerfully consider continued service with YWAM Muizenberg after completing your DTS. There are a number of ways to be involved.
Each DTS has a set of core topics that it covers. In addition, there may be 2-3 extra topics in each school. These may vary depending on the special focus of the school or it’s outreach locations.
During the 3-month lecture phase, you will delve into topics including:
- Hearing God’s Voice and Intercession
- The Nature and Character of God
- Father Heart of God
- How to share your faith with others
- Identity in Christ
- Relationships
- World Missions
- Cross Cultural Communication
- Spiritual Warfare
- Ministry of the Holy Spirit
- The Bible
The DTS Field Assignment (or Outreach) is a highlight for many DTS students. Once the lecture phase of DTS has wrapped up, you’ll get the opportunity to take the truth you’ve learned and put it into practice in a ministry setting in an overseas destination! Outreach phase is between 2-3 months long. The location of the field assignment will be determined shortly after the beginning of the DTS and creatively revealed in class. While in Muizenberg, you will have the opportunity to learn about the country and culture where your field assignment will take place. The DTS staff will guide you in understanding the values, strengths and needs of the nation where you will be serving. A primary focus of the field assignment is sharing your faith with those who don’t know Jesus through conversations, the performing arts, acts of mercy & service, and friendships with people who don’t know Him. In addition, there will be opportunities to meet practical needs and partner with local believers.
Once your completed application form has been received, the school leaders will prayerfully review and make a decision about acceptance. You will be contacted by email about the decision. You will also receive information about what to bring, the visa process for foreign students who will need a visa.
For over 40 years God, has been calling individuals and families to attend the DTS and has provided in a variety of ways. Multiple times, God confirms His direction to attend DTS through provision of the needed funds. Friends who have done a DTS, youth leaders and pastors are often willing to talk and pray with you as you raise the money for the school. Working, selling some belongings, hosting fundraising events and asking for sponsors are some of the ways God may provide for you. This is a practical way for others to be a part of God’s work. If you have questions about fundraising, feel free to contact us at training@ywammuizenberg.org
The Registration fee will be added to your school fees and is payable on Registration Day which is the first Monday of the school.
Our campus is an old hotel and can accommodate up to 70 students. Generally, rooms can accommodate between 4-8 people and each room has its own en suite bathroom/shower. All DTS lectures are conducted on the base. Meal preparation, cleaning and other chores will be shared among the students
Your school leaders will pray over options for outreach locations before the DTS begins. Some teams will serve in multiple locations on outreach and others may focus on only one location for the whole 2-3 months. The outreach locations are announced early in the school’s lecture phase.
Yes! Upon successful completion of the DTS lecture and outreach phases, each DTS student earns 20 college level credits through the University of the Nations. These credits are transferrable to many other Christian colleges and universities.
Each day you will have activities such as lectures, work duties, (general duties around the base) and evening activities. Each week will also include small groups, outreach prep, one-on-one mentoring and local outreach. There are also weekly corporate events you will participate in such as base worship and intercession (prayer). Your weekends may occasionally have school activities, but most will be free for you to explore the city and have some rest time.
Those who teach during the lecture phase are usually other YWAM leaders nationally or internationally, local YWAM staff and other reputable speakers who are involved in the church and/or missions locally or internationally.
Visit our DTS page and choose which school you would like to do. You can then fill out the online application form which includes three references.
Yes. At the moment we do not offer DTS in any other language or with translation.
Once you graduate from the DTS many doors in YWAM are open to you. In over 1,000 locations worldwide YWAMers are using their talents and gifts to serve Christ and fulfil the Great Commission. Many DTS graduates pursue further education and training through YWAM’s University of the Nations, others join the staff team at the location where they did DTS and some serve at another YWAM location around the world. At YWAM Muizenberg we run several second-level training schoolsincluding the School of Biblical Studies, Discipleship Bible School, Children at Risk School, School of the Word and Spirit and others. There are also many ministry opportunities available around the world within YWAM and you can check out the rest of our website to see what we’re involved in as YWAM Muizenberg. We would ask you to prayerfully consider continued service with YWAM Muizenberg after completing your DTS. There are a number of ways to be involved.
You can apply as soon as you would like to any upcoming school which is advertised on our page. There is no official deadline – as long as you apply and are accepted before the school start date. However, we recommend that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible.
If you are not a South African citizen, you do need a visa to come to do a DTS in Muizenberg. Upon acceptance to the DTS, the registrar will contact you about the details for obtaining the appropriate visa. Please do not begin to apply for a visa until you have been accepted to the DTS. However, we do encourage you to apply for your visa as soon as possible after you’ve received acceptance as the visa application can be a lengthy process. For more information on the visa application process, please email the DTS registrar at dts@ywammuizenberg.org
One of the most crucial roles of an organisation is a good administrator. Everything we do here at YWAM Muizenberg is dependent on the functioning of our offices and the awesome people that serve here. If you’re gifted with staying on top of things, love talking to people and share in our vision of expanding our schools and reaching the nations – then this position is for you!
We are looking for people with administration and computer skills who consider organisation and logistics-coordination to be their strengths. Well-developed communication skills would be useful as you would be responsible for contacting staff members and new incoming students. Other tasks would include coordinating the logistics regarding incoming and/or outgoing outreach teams and/or day to day office management.
If you are interested in joining our team, have any questions or you want to know more about who we are and what we do,
Contact: personnel@ywammuizenberg.org
The DTS lecture fees cover housing, food and tuition for the three months. We recommend that you include a pocket money amount (for snacks, postage, toiletries etc.) in the total amount that you are fundraising for.
The DTS outreach fees covers airfare, housing, food and ground transportation. Personal expenses, medical and travel insurance during the lecture phase and transportation to and from Muizenberg are your responsibility. You will be covered by travel insurance during your time on outreach after the purchase of your flight ticket that will be arranged by the outreach leader.
We understand that there are a variety of food allergies and intolerances as well as diet preferences such as vegetarian, and we desire to serve all of our staff and students as best as possible. However, while our kitchen staff will do their best to have a food item alternative for special dietary needs, we cannot guarantee that there will always be an alternative option. We recommend that if you have special dietary needs that you budget some extra personal money to buy supplemental food items for yourself.
Yes, the base offers internet WIFI to all students. If you want to access the internet during your time on the base you will have to bring your own device (cell phone or laptop) to connect with as we do not provide computers for use.
The standard electrical current used in South African is 220-230 volts AC (50 HZ). Most plugs are 15 amp 3-prong or 5 amp 2-prong, with round pins. If you require an adaptor, consider bringing one with you, although they can be purchased locally.
Yes, there are washing machines and dryers available for use on base. There is a small fee to use these and you will have to purchase your own laundry detergent (or share a load with a friend!)
Yes, and we encourage both students and staff to join local church communities. There are several nearby churches that are good options for English speakers. Your school staff can show you how to get to them by using the bus and metro system.
Back when we began in 1960, our main focus was to get youth into short-term mission work and to give them opportunities to reach out in Jesus’ name. Today, we still focus on youth, but now we also involve people of every age – there is no maximum age limit.
If immunizations are needed before going on outreach, the school staff will arrange this with all the other students who need immunizations at a local travel clinic.
We do not have any required vaccinations, but it is a good idea to be up to date on all of your immunization boosters before you come.
