Structure of a DTS

The Discipleship Training School (YWAM DTS) Consists of two phases (Lecture and Outreach), always involving a cross cultural experience in one way or the other. Click on learn more to learn about the two phases.

The adventure start here in Saint Lucia (in the Eastern Caribbean) with the Lecture Phase. Learning foundational discipleship topics in a classroom setting, and living it out in our local community, serving each other, attending small groups, and experiencing one on one discipleship coaching.

The second part of DTS is 8 to 11 weeks outreach serving alongside existing ministries. Part of the outreach if not all will alway take place in a country different from Saint Lucia in the Americas  or else were . in the past we have target South America, Central America, and in the future Africa, and other

Finances for your DTS

The DTS cost cover both room and board throughout the whole program as well as ministry expenses. Don't let the overall cost intimidate  you, rather let God impress you with His faithfulness. Apply now at let your christians friends and church family know about your plan; you will learn in the process that noting is too big when it is in God perfect plan and timing; and we can tell you the YWAM DTS is in God plan; every year we see many trusting God in this adventure of faith and experimenting His Provision. let us know your chalenges and we will pray with you and if necessary suggest you some ideas. Link to DTS Fees schedule

Structure of the Lecture phase

The first part of the DTS is commonly referred to as the “lecture phase” and takes place at our YWAM Saint Lucia base. As a student here, you will attend classes on various topics surrounding the nature and Character of God.

Speakers include lecturers with experience, missionaries, and Christian leaders whose stories and insights bring not only head knowledge, but life transformation. Experience the breath and depth of the mystery of God; let Him inspire you like never before to live life intentionally. 

DTS Lecture topics includes among others:

• The Father Heart of God,
• God’s Nature & Character
• Relationships
• Hearing God’s voice
• How to Study the Bible Inductively
• Missions, Evangelism,
• Biblical Worldview,
• Spiritual Warfare
• Intercession
• - The divine Plumbline,
• Team dynamic and Outreach Preparation,
• etc...

Besides the theses  teachings during the Lecture phase, the weekly program will include Small group discussions, One & one Discipleship Coaching, Worship & Intercession, Bible reading and study, team building and time to time  outdoor adventure; all  this is what make the YWAM DTS an exciting program. The YWAM DTS in the caribbean (Beautiful Saint Lucia) is a more than exiting adventure.

Content of the DTS Field Assignment

The second part of the DTS is commonly known as the “outreach phase”. It is a time for you to share the good news of Jesus Christ with people who have not yet experienced His love. You will receive an opportunity to put all that you have learn in the lecture phase into practice on a cross- cultural missions outreach. 

We’ve recently sent teams to
- Suriname,
- Guyana,
- Trinidad & Tobago
- The Dominican Republic
Future possible outreach locations include: South America, Central America (Nicaragua), West Africa and the Caribbean. 

Whether you are serving a South American Amerindian tribe or a village in West Africa or the street people of Central American City, your outreach phase will surely leave you with a greater global perspective and even greater passion.

After Successfully completing A YWAM DTS

Students Learn the process and the responsibility of hearing from God for themselves but there are numerous opportunities available; they can either,

1- Join YWAM Staff - All successful DTS are qualify to be members of YWAM Staff anywhere around the globe. YWAM have over 18,000 full time staff that have all completed a DTS or equivalent. but not all that complete a DTS have become YWAM staff. It is important to seek advice from leaders and mature long term staff on How to make the transition to become staff as this will involve many details you may not alway see right away. 
We will love to have all our DTS graduate joins staff with us at YWAM Saint Lucia but this has to be God's Calling for them. You can commit to volunteer a few months to see first.

2- Join one of the YWAM Teams doing Evangelism and church planting around the World. there are numerous of them just ask and share  the impression God is placing on your hearth to leaders

3- Returning Home: All of our DTS students have the chance to experience being a YWAMer during their five to six months DTS. At the end of the DTS some know that YWAM is not the place for them at the moment, and that is great. Here also it is good to take on the suggestions we give on re-entry and input how to go home well:
- You can Go back to study, During the DTS God can give you a better clarity and conviction on what to study next and the motivation you need to do so with passion enthusiasm and purpose... 
- Back to Work, and/or Serve within the Local Church. During the DTS God also give you a conviction and assurance of the type of Career you will be better fulfilled in, He will give you a renewed passion to pursue it not just to be like every one else but with Purpose. The DTS also equip you to better integrate and serve in your local church and not just be a passive Believer.

4- UofN - following a DTS a graduate can Apply to Join the many full time staff with any YWAM centre around the world for 2 to 3 years develop some sense of assurance for their specific ministry calling, and then next pursue a few related UofN training program 3 to 9 months or so. and them get involve deeper into ministry and multiplication and so on.

Note:

Do not hesitate to discuss your next steps with us we will gladly pray with you and assist you with the process no matter what it may be.  Our aim is to See you fulfill and be Who God made you to be.

The Next DTS in Saint Lucia is planned from January 22th to June 24th 2017.

DTS Lecture and Outreach Fees for different Country Category

The table below gives an Idea of the DTS fees and include room and board. These fees are expected from each participant depending on their Country of Origin. Contact us and discuss with us if you have some limitations so we see how to pray with you and see what is possible.
As you look at the fees keep in mind that is a live in program. Also, Saint Lucia is a major tourist destination and a Caribbean Island, make the cost of living relatively hight.

Lecture Phase Fees includes room and board, lectures, some required books, planned activities and some limited recreational activities on the Island.  Lecture Phase fee does not include travel to and from Saint Lucia.

**The above Outreach Fees  includes room and board, and ministry only-related expenses throughout the outreach (But not the airfare or the transportation to outreach location )
The Outreach Locations will be finalized and announced before the school start or in the early weeks of Lecture phase.
To the above outreach fees each DTS Students should therefore add the airfare and other transportation  to outreach location and back to the Base in Saint Lucia.

Estimate Total DTS Cost Including Airfare

 ** The Airfare and transportation is From Saint Lucia to the outreach location and back to Saint Lucia. if the outreach location is within  the  Caribbean and/or South /Central America  each student should plan to add  USD 1,400 (EC$3,780) to the above fees for airfare/transportation this can vary depending of the time the ticket is purchase and the location. This is the minimum we recommend students to plan for. It will cover Air and Land transportation where necessary.

We normally pay the ticket once  all together fund have to be in at the same time with the rest of the school fees.

If students have extra luggage they must be prepare to pay the extra cost requested by the airline company.

The basic fees indicated above is for a DTS lecture phase of 11 to 12 weeks in Saint Lucia and an Outreach of 9 to 10 weeks

DTS fees including All Room and board and Transportation/airfare for ministry purpose

Considering the above, in All cases the Minimum budget for your DTS including airfare to the outreach location and back to Saint Lucia should be as follow:
- USD 6,100 (XCD 16,470) for country A*
- USD 5,100 (XCD 13,770) for Country B
- USD 5,000 (XCD 13,500) for country C

* only category A students pay the actual cost of the school therefore we are always looking for donors to help us provide scholarships to country C students or other financially limited students. Non designated donation to the DTS normally help cover this scholarship funds.

... if you Know some one or you yourself are willing to donate toward our DTS scholarship Funds please contact us

Immigration:

Students are responsible to pay any extra fees associated to their immigration extension or statuts separately. in Saint Lucia this may be up to US$80 per month after the entry visa expiration. 

Note :  School fees DO NOT include personal items, Personal Communication, Vaccinations, Laundry fees, Immigration Fees, Toiletries or health insurance. All fees are in Local Eastern Caribbean currency (XCD or EC$); the US dollars (USD) Equivalent is just indicative:
1USD =  XCD2.70

- In budgeting Participants should expect some variation mainly due to the outreach airfare if the final field assignment (outreach) location is further away from the region (caribbean or south central America), in such case each participant to the field assignment may have to raise additional finances to cover the extra airfare and/or additional expenses associated with the particular location. But if we stay within the indicated region there shouldn't be significant change.

 Caribbean region we are willing allow students from some countries of the region to contribute a lower fees independently or their Country Category (A, B or C). if you are from: Saint Lucia, Grenada, Barbados, Antigua & Barbuda, Trinidad & Tabago, Jamaica or any other nation but cannot afford the fees for your country category as indicated above, let us know as you apply; we will pray with you to find the right solution.

Each DTS student is expected to complete the two phase ( Lecture+ outreach) so you must plan consequently.

Payment Schedule

It is important to follow this schedule to help in planing the different school phase and events

• Deposit: of EC$ $1,350 (US$500) due within ten days of acceptance :will be apply to school fees 
• 1st Lecture Phase payment : 50 % of the Total lecture phase fees, is due 30 days prior to the start of lecture phase
• 2nd Lecture Phase payment : the remaining 50% of Lecture phase payment must be at least a week before school start : that is before January 15th 

• 1st Outreach payment payment : 50% of total outreach fees is due before the 4th week of lecture phase
• All outreach fees and school fees must be completely paid before the 6th week of lecture  (before the end of the month of February or the 1st week of March) this make it easy for us to book the airfare ticket at an acceptable rate.

NOTE: The DTS fees can and should pay if possible in one installment to limit the transaction fees that are at the expense of the students we only count fund that are effectively credited to YWAM Saint Lucia Bank account and will inform you.

Payment  recommended:

Wire Transfers:  You can pay by wire transfer. This option will most likely include a fee depending on your bank. we will only consider the funds that we effectively  receive in our bank account, it is therefore your responsibility to pay the extra transact fees to cover all transfer fees.

Money Order or Check Requirements:  For international students, your check or money order must be drawn on a United States or Canadian bank  with U.S. computer coding on the bottom of the check. if send US or Canadian Check send it at least 8 weeks before the schedule payment dateline.