Matt Short

The Discipleship Training School (DTS) is a five-month training program that aims at helping students to know God more in-depth, as well as preparing them to be messengers of the gospel.  The DTS is divided into two distinct phases.

Phase 1 is a three-month classroom segment which uses a mixture of lectures, discussions, workshops, small group interactions, and personal devotion study.  A close community of students and staff provides an environment where the application of spiritual Biblical principles can be demonstrated and lived out.  Students benefit from the expertise of proficient lecturers from all over New Zealand and other various countries.

Phase 2 is an eight-week field assignment whereas the school is divided into several small mobile teams.  The purpose of this outreach assignment is to travel around New Zealand together, sharing the love of Christ and ministering to the backpacker community through lifestyle evangelism.  Teams often stay in backpacker hostels, campgrounds, or out in the numerous trail huts.  By living around people and trekking many of the famous trails, opportunities are afforded to reach out to fellow travellers through relational evangelism and discipleship.  For those who would prefer an overseas outreach, possible destinations include Australia, Thailand, Morocco, Nepal, and the Pacific Islands. A decision will be made at the start of each school as to which location will be offered.

The DTS is for those individuals who want their lives to count for eternity.  Though theory is very important, it is truly about developing a Christian character.  It is an examination into the heart of God, a journey of discovery where God’s ways become your own.  The emphasis is not so much on knowledge gained rather than on the principles applied; not so much on a mind filled with facts, but a heart filled with faith. 

This is an excerpt from the Backpackers DTS webpage: www.ywambackpackers.org