DISCIPLESHIP
TRAINING SCHOOL
Six months of chasing after God and jumping into His mission.
SIX MONTHS. TWO PHASES. ONE MISSION.
A Discipleship Training School (DTS) is a six-month journey of following Jesus through teaching, community life, and hands-on mission.
The first three months focus on learning, mentoring, and growing deeper with God.
The next three months are an outreach, where you serve cross-culturally with your team.
It’s a season to slow down, live in community, seek God, and let His story reshape yours.
LECTURE PHASE
3 months
Lecture Phase is about building a foundation. It’s more than just information. It is space to let God reshape how you see Him, yourself, and the world.
Classes: teaching on topics like God’s character, missions, the Bible, and identity in Christ
Worship & Prayer: setting aside daily time to seek God together
Small Groups: space to be real and ask the tough questions
Wisdom in Practice: learning how to live out truth in everyday life
This is where faith has space to take root.
OUTREACH
3 months
Outreach is about putting faith into action. It is where what you’ve learned moves from the classroom into the nations.
Cross-Cultural Service: serving with local churches and ministries in another culture
Team Life: traveling, living, and working with a group committed to the same mission
Practical Ministry: from children’s programs to community projects, sharing God’s love in word and action
Testimony: chances to share your story and the story of Jesus
This is where your faith can move outward into the world.
IS THIS FOR YOU?
DTS is open to anyone who wants to know God more deeply and live out their faith. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being willing.
DTS might be for you if you want to:
Go deeper with Jesus: open the Bible, wrestle with questions, and let Him meet you there
Live in Community: share life with people from around the world who pursue Jesus together
Serve: roll up your sleeves in practical ministry. Love looks like action.
Be Challenged: step out of your comfort zone and grow in faith
Discover Your Calling: explore how your gifts and passions connect with God’s mission
If you’re hungry to know God and ready to take the next step, DTS could be where it begins.
REAL STORIES. REAL GROWTH
Every student’s journey is different. But all of them found something real: a God who meets them personally.
AVAILABLE DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING SCHOOLS
Have questions?
We’d love to hear from you!
Frequently asked questions
Housing
-
Take a look our virtual tourto help visualize your experience! Students will generally share a dorm room with up to five other people depending on the size of the room. Married couples have a room for themselves, and additional rooms are arranged for families with children.
You will have access to a shared kitchen at all times, as well as our commercial kitchen after ‘work hours’.
-
At YWAM Dunham, family is one of our core values. We welcome families with children of all ages and do our best to accommodate them during their time with us.
Childcare is provided at no extra charge for families participating in our programs.
Please contact us for details about availability, housing, and arrangements.
-
We do our very best to keep families together. However, we may not have the space to house a whole family in the same room.
If this is the case, we will arrange for you and your children to have adjacent rooms.
There is limited availability for small studio apartments reserved in priority for families with children.
-
We have a community laundry room with multiple washers and driers. They can be used at no cost during reserved slots.
Preparation and Arrival
-
We made a helpful video guide so you know exactly what you need to bring!
-
It’s recommended to have a hiking backpack for outreach rather than a regular hard-sided suitcase, as a suitcase is more cumbersome to travel with and carry. You’re welcome to use a suitcase, but be prapared to lift, carry, and walk with whatever you bring! A hiking backpack can always be bought during the lecture phase.
-
While we are prepared to give letters of admission to students from any country, it is important to note that depending on your country of origin there can be varying degrees of difficulty in obtaining a visa with the Canadian government and it may not be possible for some.
If you have specific questions about obtaining the appropriate visa please contact us as we’d love to assist you.
Community Life
-
Within Our Community:
Our YWAM location is fully bilingual. That means we have both French and English speakers around the world who live and visit here. A sizeable amount of community speaks both languages, especially among our staff. That said, no one is required to know both languages.
Every formal aspect of our community is translated from worship times, meal-time announcements, classroom lectures, door signs, etc.
This also makes it the perfect setting to get ahead in your second language or pick up a new one!
The Broader Community
Many people can speak English in Dunham and the towns around, but as the first language is French, we encourage you (if you are able) to speak to people in French. Your time in YWAM Dunham is a great opportunity to put your French into practice even if you only know a few words!
-
We do our best to accommodate any dietary restrictions in preparing alternative meals for people with intolerances and allergies.
That said, our capacity to accommodate dietary needs differs from season to season due to the nature of cooking for large groups, the variety of restrictions, and the knowledge and ability of those cooking. Depending on your restrictions, preferences, and availability, there can option for you to cook your own meals.
Please contact us if you have questions for your specific dietary needs.
About Youth With A Mission
-
No, YWAM is an interdenominational organization. It works with various churches and denominations, but is not officially affiliated with any single one.
-
YWAM's theology is centered on knowing God and making Him known. We emphasize the authority of the Bible, the importance of personal relationship with God, and living out the Great Commission.
You can learn more about YWAM’s calling and values here.