ywam lakeside

ywam lakeside

ywam montana

discipleship training school

overview of dts

The format is unique because although this is a college-level course, it is not set up like most college programs. In most universities, you attend several classes covering several topics at once. The DTS is part of a larger university system called the University of the Nations, where each student focuses on one subject at a time and is given opportunities to apply learned principles in outreach settings as part of their course. The DTS is a microcosm of this model in that we cover topics for an entire week, rather than having several short teachings on various subjects. For example, you will spend an entire week covering prayer, while another week will cover evangelism, and another will cover relationships. Each week of the 12 week lecture phase is its own subject. All students are required to be a part of a live-learn environment. In this setting we attend lectures, eat, have small groups, prepare for outreach and have work duties together. Students live in dormitories with limited living space shared with people of various nations, cultures, and denominations. We live as a community which promotes an atmosphere of constant application. Meals are served in a cafeteria and are included in the cost of the school. DTS tuition includes everything but the travel to and from Montana at the start and end of the school. Friends and family are welcome to visit. There is wireless internet here and a town with a Walmart etc, 30 minutes away. Here in Montana we run, what we call, the "All-Inclusive DTS". We added something extra by supplementing our regular DTS curriculum with dedicated interest topics, or "tracks" that enable students to focus on a particular topic or vocation within the discipleship and ministry theme. Click here to find out more information on the interest tracks. Upon arrival you will choose a track and, during the lecture phase, spend a day learning how to use your talents and desires in that area in Christian ministry. The rest of the week is spent covering the standard DTS curriculum with lectures, devotions, intercessory prayer and group interaction in small groups and outreach teams. There are some weekly meetings in the evening, including a Thursday Night Community Meeting with worship and teaching. On Sundays, students attend the church of their choice.

Typical Daily Schedule:

The Curriculum
During a DTS, we include the following tools and teaching methods as part of the course:

LECTURES
We usually spend a minimum of 12 hours in lecture each week covering the following topics:

INTEREST TRACKS
What excites you? What are you passionate about? Come and be a part of YWAM Montana's distinctive DTS program which is made unique by a multi-track experience. See our track info page for details.

ORAL PRESENTATION
Each student will be required to present a 3-5 minute message on the character of God.

OUTREACH PREPARATION
Some afternoons will be given to preparing for outreach either in our individual teams or as a class. Preparation will most likely include music, drama, testimony preparation, cultural information, evangelism, etc.

SMALL GROUP MEETINGS
Some afternoons there will be small group meetings where students and staff members will have a chance to share needs, discuss the lecture content and minister to one another.

INTERCESSION GROUPS
This is an immediate way to become involved in world evangelism. Intercession times will take place a few mornings each week to learn to hear God's voice and to intercede for the nations.

REQUIRED READING
Book reports must be completed and turned in by the dates given during the orientation. Books required for book reports will be provided for you through our library check out system.

JOURNAL
The weekly journal will be an important tool to record God's faithfulness and your personal growth. It is a requirement to successfully complete DTS.

WORK DUTY
Each student will be assigned to a work duty. You will be asked to work for approximately 10 hours a week on the base. Work duties are as much a part of the discipleship process as all other school curriculum and provide an opportunity for you to serve.

COMMUNITY MEETINGS
Each Thursday, our entire base plus some of the believers in the local community gather to worship and hear from a gifted speaker. Students are required to attend this meeting.

MINI-OUTREACH
Get outta town!One entire week will be spent in a yet-to-be-determined location participating in a "mini-outreach". The Mini-outreach is a hands-on experience, as you will be working in soup kitchens, homeless shelters and food banks. There is no additional fee for mini-outreach.

OUTREACH
As important as the Lecture Phase is to the DTS, the Outreach Phase is where you have opportunity to put into practice all you have learned in the classroom. The successful completion of the outreach is a requirement for the DTS.

Go! Conference (September DTS only)
Every November, YWAM has a gathering called the GO! Conference that fousses on frontier missions. DTS Students & YWAM staff from all over North America converge in Estes Park, Colorad ( Check out their site: go-conference.com ). This is an option. You would have to choose between the conference or mini-outreach. Anyone with a long-term call or interest in missions should seriously consider this option. Choosing to attend the Go! Conference will have an additional tuition fee of $300.

ywam montana

School of Biblical Studies