Are you ready for an adventure that will challenge your faith, transform your heart, and send you out into the world with a new sense of purpose? A Discipleship Training School (DTS) with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Toowoomba could be the next step in your journey with God—and it’s likely to be one of the most significant seasons of your life.
Whether you’re eager to deepen your relationship with God, discover your calling, or find out what it truly means to follow Jesus, DTS offers all that and so much more. But what exactly can you expect during this life-changing experience? Let’s take a look at some of the key moments, challenges, and blessings that will shape your time in DTS.
1. To Be Challenged
During your YWAM DTS, the challenge starts from day one—and it’s not the kind of challenge that makes you want to give up, but the kind that pushes you to grow in ways you didn’t think possible. You’ll be challenged in several areas: in your heart, your mind, and your spirit.
In Lectures:
Every week, you’ll attend lectures that are designed to deepen your understanding of who God is and His calling on your life. Expect to dive into topics like the character and nature of God, hearing God’s voice, evangelism, and God’s heart for the nations. These teachings will challenge your views on God and the world we live in and open you up to new insights, all while encouraging you to live out your faith in fresh and tangible ways.
With A Mentor:
Each DTS student has the opportunity to meet weekly with a staff member (called One-on-Ones) who will walk alongside you throughout the school. These one-on-ones are not just for spiritual guidance—they’re a place where you’ll be challenged to go deeper, face difficult truths, and find freedom from things that have held you back. Whether it’s a challenge to forgive, to step out in faith, or to grow in areas of character, your one-on-one time will be a key part of your transformation.
Through Your Friends:
Community is one of the most powerful aspects of DTS. You’ll live and learn alongside a diverse group of people, and their challenges and growth will challenge you as well. Sometimes, your closest friends will push you to step out of your comfort zone, and other times, you’ll find yourself challenging them to grow in their faith. It’s all part of the process of becoming the person God has called you to be.
On Outreach:
The outreach phase of Discipleship Training School takes everything you’ve learned and challenges you to apply it in real-life situations. Outreach is often where the rubber hits the road, as you get the opportunity to serve, evangelise, and live out your faith in a completely different cultural context. Whether you’re ministering in the inner city, on a remote island, or in a community overseas, outreach is where your faith and the challenges you’ve faced come to life in the most practical ways.
2. To Encounter God
DTS is not just a program—it’s an encounter with the living God. Throughout the school, there will be countless opportunities for you to deepen your relationship with Him in powerful ways.
Through Worship:
Worship will become a central part of your daily routine. Whether it’s during corporate worship with the whole community, smaller worship sessions with your DTS, or personal worship time, you’ll encounter God’s presence in fresh and life-changing ways. These moments of worship can bring you closer to God, stir your heart for the nations, and help you hear His voice more clearly.
In Lectures:
Every lecture is designed not only to teach you about God but to help you experience Him more deeply. The speakers come with a wealth of experience, but it’s not just their words that will leave an impact. God’s Spirit will meet you in the classroom, and there will be opportunities for prayer, prophetic ministry, and deep moments of reflection where you can encounter Him in new and meaningful ways.
Through Quiet Times:
DTS will teach you how to cultivate a personal relationship with God through daily quiet times. These times of prayer, Bible reading, and reflection are where you’ll hear God’s voice and allow Him to shape your heart. Whether it’s in the middle of the bustling classroom, out in the beautiful parks of Toowoomba or in the stillness of your own room, expect God to speak to you in ways that will change your life forever.
Through the Prayer Room Ministry:
One of the unique aspects of DTS at YWAM Toowoomba, Australia is the opportunity to engage in our Prayer Room Ministry. This dedicated space is designed for personal prayer, reflection, Bible reading and intercession, and it’s open throughout the week for students, staff, and the greater community of Toowoomba to participate in. Whether you’re seeking a quiet place to hear God, praying for the nations, or simply soaking in His presence, the Prayer Room becomes a sacred space where you can encounter God in deep and intimate ways. During this time, you’ll also have the chance to partner with others in prayer, standing in the gap for the needs of the world and witnessing the power of prayer in action.
3. To Gain New Perspective and Vision for Your Life
As you journey through DTS, you may find that God is opening your eyes to a whole new vision for your life. For some, this will be a clear call to missions or a specific ministry; for others, it may be clarity about how to live out God’s calling in everyday life.
A Specific Call:
Many DTS students experience a direct and specific call to serve in missions, whether that’s in a particular country, ministry, or type of work. It’s not uncommon for someone to feel a deep sense of calling and direction by the end of the school, knowing exactly where God is leading them next.
When I came to YWAM Toowoomba, I was expecting a great 5 months with God. Spending time with Him and reaching out to those with the good news of the gospel, before going back home to the next thing God was leading me to. I didn’t expect for God to call me into full-time missions! However, God knew my heart was open to wherever he would lead me and for now that’s here in Toowoomba serving full-time with YWAM. It’s been a completely unexpected journey, but one I wouldn’t trade for the world. It’s said that the best place to be is in the middle of God’s will for your life, and I couldn’t agree more. Despite the challenges and doubts, I’ve grown so much as a person and found fulfilment in knowing this is exactly where God wants me and I can walk out confidently into the future knowing that he is right by my side in life and ministry.
Purpose For Your Life:
For others, DTS is a time to gain clarity about what it looks like to follow Jesus in a world that’s full of distractions. You may not walk away with a specific mission field in mind, but you’ll be equipped with a renewed sense of purpose and understanding of what it means to live a life that reflects God’s love to the world. Whether it’s in your career, relationships, or future ministry, DTS will help you align your life with God’s heart for the world.
4. To Meet People from Many Other Backgrounds and Make Lifelong Friends
One of the greatest joys of YWAM DTS is the people you meet along the way. You’ll be surrounded by young people from all over the world—each with their own unique stories, perspectives, and journeys. Many students leave DTS with friends they consider lifelong companions, and it’s not uncommon to stay in touch long after the school ends.
Building Community:
In YWAM, community is a cornerstone. During DTS you’ll live, eat, study, and serve alongside people who are just as passionate about growing in their faith as you are. This shared experience creates deep bonds and friendships that transcend cultural, national, and denominational differences. During meals, small groups, and spontaneous hangout times, you have the opportunity to learn about many different cultures, traditions, and backgrounds as well as have the potential to make deep friendships.
Learning from Others:
The diversity in DTS means you’ll get to hear stories and testimonies from people whose lives have been shaped in different ways by God. You’ll gain a new understanding of how vast and wide God’s kingdom is, and how His love is experienced in different contexts and cultures. One thing that I love about YWAM is learning about other cultures on a first hand basis, from people who have actually lived it out and can share and explain things from a personal perspective. If you keep your heart open, you can learn so many amazing things about who God is and how he shows different part of himself in all the different cultures around the world.
5. To Go Places and Do Things You Never Thought You Could!
One of the most exciting things about DTS is that it’s not just about learning—it’s about doing. The outreach phase will take you to places you never imagined, and you’ll find yourself involved in activities that stretch your abilities and challenge your comfort zones.
Going to New Places:
Whether you’re heading to a remote village, a bustling city, or a foreign country, outreach will give you the opportunity to experience new cultures, landscapes, and ways of life. These experiences will shape your heart for the world and expand your view of God’s global kingdom. This takes learning about a new culture to a whole new level by being involved in the day to day of your local contact’s community while serving.
Doing New Things:
You may find yourself serving in ways you never expected—whether it’s street evangelism, building a house for a local family, or teaching English to children in a foreign country. DTS will stretch you to step out of your comfort zone and try things you may never have imagined.
Over my years in YWAM I’ve been able to do so many things I’d never imagined I’d do. From preaching in local churches, to cleaning a medical ship, to learning how to be a barista, the things you learn in YWAM can truely be endless!
One memory that sticks out in my mind of my DTS outreach was having the chance to go to a local school. Our team was invited to go share an item (we performed a drama about the power of Jesus’s love) and a few of us shared our testimonies. Growing up I was extremely shy and even the idea of going to Australia for 5 months was a big surprise for my parents! As I’ve grown older, and especially on my DTS I felt a conviction to not let the fear of what people think (or not knowing what to do or say) dictate what I said yes to. So when we were deciding who would share their testimonies at this school, I felt to share mine. Being able to share my story of how God has impacted my life with about 150 kids was a marking experience! I know God used my story to touch these kids in specific ways and it’s inspired me to keep sharing my story.
6. To Be Equipped
DTS is not just about receiving; it’s about being equipped to live a life that reflects Jesus. Whether you’re called to missions, your local community, or a professional career, DTS equips you with tools that will help you live a life of purpose and impact.
For a Life Following Jesus:
The teachings, community, and outreach experiences you have in DTS will help you build a strong foundation for following Jesus throughout your life. You’ll learn how to hear His voice, respond to His call, and make decisions that reflect His heart.
To Share the Gospel:
Throughout DTS, you’ll be trained in how to effectively share the gospel with others—whether it’s through personal conversations, community service, or other forms of outreach. This training will equip you with practical tools to evangelise in your everyday life, no matter where God sends you.
For a Life of Mission:
Whether or not you feel called to long-term missions, DTS will equip you to live a life that’s mission-focused. You’ll learn what it means to live on mission wherever you are, whether you’re at university, working a job, or serving in your local church.
7. To Hear Amazing Testimonies and Make Your Own
Throughout your Youth With A Mission experience, you’ll hear stories of how God has worked in the lives of others. These testimonies will inspire you, encourage you, and remind you that God is actively at work in the world.
And the best part? You’ll have the chance to make your own testimony. As you step out in faith, follow Jesus, and see Him move in your life and through you, you’ll have incredible stories to share about how God has changed you—and the world around you.
---
Discipleship Training School with YWAM Toowoomba is so much more than a 5-month course—it’s a transformative experience that will challenge you, change you, and equip you for a life of purpose and adventure. If you're ready to take the next step in your journey with Jesus, sign up for an upcoming DTS today!