Discipleship Training School
what it is and why you should do it
In a 5-month adventure into the heart of our God, you’ll learn how to
Dig into the Word and discover God’s character, His ways, His voice
Encounter how long and high and deep is His love (for you personally!)
Grow as a disciple of Christ, with the power to live as God designed
Become gripped by his burning heart for a hurting world
Discover His amazing destiny for your life
12-Week
Lecture
begins 02.08.27
8-Week
Outreach
begins 05.03.27
Program Structure
During lecture phase, students spend the mornings in worship, prayer and hearing from dynamic speakers. The afternoons and evenings follow a schedule which include small groups and one-on-one mentoring.
What’s Included
DTS Tuition (lecture phase) covers room and board, guest speakers, all program materials and supplies for daily living. Three meals a day are served, alongside snacks.
Outreach Fees include all airfare associated with the outreach and all ground costs.
Not included: Airfare (to and from Anchorage), travelers health insurance (required), expenses for personal items such as toiletries and spending money.
Dates & Costs
Lecture Phase: 12 weeks (Feb 8 - May 02, 2027) $4200.00 USD (estimated price)
Outreach Phase: 8 weeks (May 03 - July 2, 2027) $4200.00 USD (estimated price)
Pre-Requisites
Be 18 Years of age by the start of DTS
Have your high school diploma (or GED Equivalent)
Sample Itinerary
* a day in the [DTS] life *
Breakfast in the dining hall
8:00 amClean up and transition
8:45 amWorship and morning lecture
9–12 pmLunch & clean up
12 -1 pmSmall Groups, One-on-One’s, or Free Time
1 – 3 PMWork Duties
3 - 5 PMDinner & clean up
6 - 7 PMEvening Activities or Free Time
7 PMLights out
11 PMDTS is …
Word * Spirit * Community
A lamp to my feet (Psalm 119:105)
A Disciple of Jesus knows the word and weighs all their thoughts, attitudes and actions against the eternal truth of scripture. the written word is a disciple's sword, map, medicine and counselor. IT is the primary agent of transformation as we seek to become more like Jesus. in your dts you will become intimate with the bible and its author. you will move from desire to discipline to delight through the inspired, sacred text that is a lamp unto our feet and light to our path!
The Spirit gives life (John 6:63)
a disciple of jesus walks in intimate relationship with holy spirit, the third person of the trinity. jesus, even though he was fully god, walked in obedience to the leading of Holy spirit and worked countless miracles as a result. in your dts you will get to know this amazing person, fall in love with his ways and experience his guidance, loving correction and, yes, miraculous works in and through your life! 
Love your neighbor (Matthew 22:39)
a disciple of jesus loves people. they love the bride of christ and do everything they can to maintain the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace. true followers know that they need other disciples and recognize that they are part Christ's body, with him as the head. deep love for those who do not yet know jesus compels them to, like jesus, seek and save that which is lost. in your dts you will learn how to walk in wholehearted love relationships with all people!More about DTS - a deeper dive!
Anyone interested in serving short term or long with YWAM must complete a Discipleship Training School (DTS) first. The DTS was one of the first schools developed in the early days of YWAM history to equip its members to represent Christ faithfully, and was especially designed to provide a foundation for all other avenues of spiritual growth. Divided into two portions, lecture and outreach, the former consists of twelve weeks of training, education, and discipleship. Each week focuses on something new, from the Nature and Character of God, to your Identity in Christ, to the Present Acts of the Holy Spirit, and much, much more.
These weeks provide a foundation for further study (as it would be impossible to cover all of who God is in twelve weeks), and are a launching point for the weekly one-on-one mentoring each student receives throughout the school. All this is in preparation for the two month outreach where students and staff alike are sent around the world to minister and serve. After completing both portions, students are free to pursue secondary schools (of which there are many) or even apply to staff should they feel led to do so.
Not everyone who feels called to do a DTS is obligated or even supposed to become a long-term missionary in the classic sense. What a DTS will do for everyone who comes with an open heart and a mind to let Christ transform them, is to reveal to them how they can change the world. Jesus invested the vast majority of his time on Earth in twelve people, who then invested in others. We still speak of those twelve disciples, two thousand years later. It isn’t about the scale of our ministry, but rather if we are faithful to the ones our Father gives us, as Jesus was with those who were given to him. As we are trying to follow the example of Christ, we aim to be an example for our students to follow, that they might be an example to others in times to come. Jesus is faithful to encounter those who pursue him, and that is the essence of what a DTS is: an opportunity to pursue and encounter the one who loves us.
If you recognize that you want to better follow Jesus and want to devote a season of your life in constant pursuit of him, consider joining us in our pursuit as we stumble after our King.
DTS is ... an opportunity to pursue and encounter the One who loves us.
DTS is ... an opportunity to pursue and encounter the One who loves us.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Click the button on this DTS page to start your application.
Once YWAM * AK has received your application, we will reach out to your references, process and pray over your application, and reply to the email you have provided with our decision regarding acceptance to the program.
Upon acceptance you will be asked to submit a background check.
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Currently we have waived our application fee!
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Applications for the Feb 8th, 2027 DTS are due by January 1st, 2027
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DTS + outreach fees total $4,200 + $4,200 = $8,400 for all 5 months. Costs are approximate. Final Costs TBD.
YWAM * AK does not have any scholarships available at this time, but please see our Faith, Fundraising & Finances page (coming soon!) for helpful information on raising funds.
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At this time, YWAM * AK is not able to accept accept married students or those with children due to our housing and staff limitations. Many YWAM bases offer special programs suited for couples and families, however!
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We are currently in process to accept payments online and will update the website as soon as it is available.
We will be in touch with accepted students directly about payment options, as well.
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DTS Lecture Phase
45 days before Arrival Day: $1,000 deposit is due.
10 days before Arrival Day: The remaining balance for Lecture Phase is due.
Outreach Phase
28 days after Arrival Day: $2,500 deposit (per person) is due.
56 days after Arrival Day: All remaining fees are due.
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Yes! Once you’ve applied for, and are accepted into DTS, we will provide you with directions you can share with family and friends.
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YWAM * AK’s refund policy is as follows:
Training Phase:
Before Arrival Day: 100%
Leave on or before the 2nd Sunday of the quarter: 85%
Leave on or before the 3rd Sunday of the quarter: 70%
Leave on or before the 4th Sunday of the quarter: 60%
Leave on or before the 5th Sunday of the quarter: 50%
Any time after the 5th Sunday is non-refundable.
Outreach Phase:
Before Outreach: Full amount paid, less any airline cancellation fee and expenses already paid towards the outreach.
During Outreach: Pro-rated refund of room and board (by week), less any adjustments from the airlines, ticket change fees and other non-refundable expenses.
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Unfortunately no. Part of the experience is what we call the Live-Learn model, where you will live with other students and staff in an ongoing 24/7 relational, discipleship dynamic.
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No, DTS is not complete without both phases. Graduating DTS allows students to join staff or take part in secondary YWAM schools. If for some reason an outreach cannot be completed, students can appeal to complete their outreach the following year.
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