be a wave maker
In your DTS, hop aboard a former antarctic ice-breaker.
Sail to isolated villages in Papua New Guinea.
Learn what it takes to become a world-changer.
From the Liberty, our medical teams deliver hands-on care and practical support, while our engagement teams help people encounter God through Scripture and evangelism, in isolated communities. DTS Students can be involved in both, gaining experience in service, discipleship, and cross-cultural ministry.
Bring the hope of Jesus to the one
Bring the hope of Jesus to the one
“Bringing transformation to isolated communities, accessible only by ships.”
“Bringing transformation to isolated communities, accessible only by ships.”
Fly to Papua New Guinea and live aboard the YWAM Liberty for 5 months. Experience discipleship training, cross-cultural community, and practical service, all from aboard a medical ship.
Wave Maker Discipleship Training School
Dates: August 1st - December 11th, 2026
Cost: TBA (not including transportation to PNG)
Location: Madang, Papua New Guinea
The Discipleship Training School is a 5 month program.
During Training Weeks:
Live teachings from experienced missionaries, pastors, and leaders from around the world
Workshops and team activities that drive the message deeper
Daily spiritual disciplines like worship, journaling, intercession, and Bible meditation
Community feedback and mentoring, so growth isn’t done alone
During Outreach Weeks:
Boldly sharing the Gospel with everyone from first time listeners, to former believers
Serving local villages and ministries from Bible engagement to practical medical ministry
Servant leadership often in unpredictable environments with the support of your team behind you
Letting the Holy Spirit lead, moment by moment remembering that everything we do comes from Him
Ministry Opportunities including but not limited to:
Medical Care
While it’s not necessary to have professional medical training, students can serve alongside medical volunteers to meet practical needs in remote villages.
A Global Movement- Oral Bible Translation
You can be part of an effort to bring Scripture access to 33 language groups in PNG. You can also learn how to support Oral Bible Translation, aiding Scripture translation in peoples heart language. This is one of the most remote places on earth that's still waiting, and you can aid in accelerating that work.
WHAT MAKES THIS DTS DIFFERENT?
Integrated Training and Outreach.
In our other DTS’s, Training and Outreach are two separate parts. The Wave Maker DTS breaks the norm! You can expect Training and Outreach weeks to be integrated, allowing you to apply what you’re learning immediately to hands-on ministry.
Full Cross-Cultural Immersion
In our normal DTS, you spend 2 months serving overseas. In the Wave Maker DTS, you be living in-country for the full five months. From day one, begin gaining a heart for Papua New Guinea and even start learning the language! Mipela laikim yu kam long Papua Nuigini! (We want you to come to PNG!)
Well… you’ll be living on a ship!
Wake up looking out a porthole towards the coastline you’ll be serving. Learn how to balance while making breakfast at the same time. Take a boat to ministry everyday.
Everyone aboard is working for the exact same goal- to make God known in some of the most remote places on earth.
Is this DTS for you?
We’re looking for wave makers to join us on this challenging adventure. This is an invitation to the ones who don’t want the easy route. It’s for those who feel called to do hard things, to reach the hard-to-reach and
Are you willing to leave your comfort zone and answer the call of Jesus to “Go to the ends of the earth”?
DTS INFORMATION
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The Discipleship Training School is a 5 month program.
During Training Weeks:
Live teachings from experienced missionaries, pastors, and leaders from around the world
Workshops and team activities that drive the message deeper
Daily spiritual disciplines like worship, journaling, intercession, and Bible meditation
Community feedback and mentoring, so growth isn’t done alone
During Outreach Weeks:
Boldly sharing the Gospel with everyone from first time listeners, to former believers
Serving local villages and ministries from Bible engagement to practical medical ministry
Servant leadership often in unpredictable environments with the support of your team behind you
Letting the Holy Spirit lead, moment by moment remembering that everything we do comes from Him
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Currently the tuition price is TBD*. The total tuition price will include training materials, outreach transportation, boarding, food, uniform and insurance.
The cost of your round-trip to and from Papua New Guinea is not included in the tuition costs.
Once you are accepted into the DTS and have made payments towards tuition, they are non-refundable.*Tuition payment must be made no later than august 1st.
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No! This DTS is for anyone who wants to grow in their faith, step into missions, and say yes to a challenging adventure!
If you have medical experience, you may be able to assist the volunteer medical teams during outreach weeks.
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Here is the tentative schedule for training and outreach. Outreach weeks correlate with weeks the Liberty is sailing.
Lecture Week 1 (August 1st)
Lecture Week 2
Lecture Week 3
Lecture Week 4
Lecture Week 5
Lecture Week 6
Lecture Week 7
Outreach Week 1
Outreach Week 2
Lecture Week 8
Outreach Week 3
Outreach Week 4
Lecture Week 9
Outreach Week 5
Outreach Week 6
Lecture Week 10
Outreach Week 7
Outreach Week 8
Debrief Week 11
GRADUATION (DECEMBER 11th)
Living on board
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On board a YWAM Ship, living conditions may be tighter than what you are used to. The vessel has steep stairs and the living quarters are compact(bunk beds), yet comfortable.
The living quarters are air conditioned, the disconnected bathroom space is shared by your roommates, and meals are eaten together on the medical deck.
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Our galley crew plan, prepare, and create balanced and nutritious meals with produce available to them in Papua New Guinea. Please note: the availability of fresh fruits, vegetables, and/or refrigeration storage can be limited. Please note that we are unable to accommodate specific dietary choices or dietary restrictions at this time.
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The climate in PNG is tropical - often very hot and humid. The ship, on the other hand, is very cool at night thanks to air conditioning. Please pack appropriately for both environments.
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YWAM is a Christian mission organization and Papua New Guinea is predominantly a Christian nation.
While aboard the m/v YWAM LIBERTY we will engage in weekly group worship and prayer. Some Maritime crew aboard are not yet christian. We invite you to pray and engage with the crew and locals you are serving and watch God at work.
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The catch phrase of PNG is “the land of the unexpected.” With this in mind, the schedule and locations of outreaches can change unexpectedly. Staying flexible is key!
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After each outreach week, our school and all additional volunteers will finish with a time of reflection and celebration with the ship community to remember all the hard work, fun and adventures that have taken place.
“Together with YWAM Ships and YWAM Madang, we commit to the communication of the Gospel in the mother tongue of 33 languages in Madang by training, sending, supporting, and being missionaries aboard the YWAM Liberty.”