What is my first step in getting involved in missions?
Every person in YWAM must complete a Discipleship Training School (DTS). Here at YWAM Los Angeles we run a six-month Transformation Discipleship Training School (TDTS) that includes three months of teachings here at our LA campus and three months of international outreach. For more information, please visit www.transformationdts.org.
Can God open a door of service for me in missions?
Not only that, but He can begin to give you understanding of your life’s purpose and destiny. The DTS is one of the most powerful programs out there. It is designed to help you discover your calling, find your unique passion, gifts and talents, and launch you into a wonderful and rewarding life of service for Jesus. Life can be wasted or invested. God longs for those who are willing to take the good news to a dying world.
How long is the DTS?
The DTS lasts six months. The first twelve weeks are spent at YWAM Los Angeles. You will spend time in worship, lectures, intercession, local evangelism and a host of other activities. This is a time where you can be before the Lord and develop a deep relationship with Him. These first twelve weeks have been a key watershed experience for hundreds of thousands, and have been absolutely life-changing.
How much does the DTS cost?
We are thrilled to be able to offer the program much less than a semester at most colleges cost. The low price for the upcoming Spring TDTS in 2012 is U.S. $3180 plus a $35 registration fee (payable when you apply). This will include ALL of the 12 week Lecture Phase, Room and Board, Food, Books, Local Outreaches, Focus Tracks and all school-sponsored sightseeing trips in L.A. The 11 week outreach is extra and the cost depends entirely on the location. The outreach options offered will be announced during the first 2-3 weeks of the school.
Can I get college credit for completing the DTS?
Yes, you can. The Discipleship Training Program at YWAM Los Angeles is accredited through the University of the Nations in Kona, Hawaii. Credits from of U of N are transferable to a number of respected Christian colleges in the United States. Students receive 12 credit hours for the DTS lecture phase and 8 credit hours for the outreach phase. To find out more about the University of the Nations, call them at (808) 326-4400 or e-mail them at admissions@uofnkona.edu.
YWAM Los Angeles is also accredited through the Global Accreditation Association. We have a rating of 4 1/2 stars out of five. This is the highest rating of any YWAM campus to date (02/2012).
How old do I have to be?
In most cases, you need to be eighteen years of age or older to qualify for the DTS program. Apart from the age requirement, we ask that you fill out the DTS application to be evaluated by our school leaders. The most important requirement is that you have a desire to know God and to make Him known.
What is a normal day like for a student at YWAM Los Angeles?
This would vary depending on what school you were a part of. But in the Discipleship Training School, a balanced and in-depth curriculum and schedule have been developed. This would include a thought-through and active schedule, and time to relax and process new teachings.
A normal day for a DTS student might be as follows:
06:30 a.m. wake up
07:00 a.m. breakfast
07:30 a.m. quiet time
08:30 a.m. worship
09:30 a.m. intercession or small groups
10:30 a.m. lecture
12:30 p.m. lunch
01:30 p.m. work duty – three days a week
05:30 p.m. dinner and free time
07:00 p.m. lecture, local outreach or free time
Some weekends are free as well as some evenings unless a special event is planned.
What can I do in my free time?
There are a host of activities to do and places to visit in the greater Los Angeles area. You could watch a talk-show being filmed, go to a movie, swim at the beach, ski in the mountains or have an adventure in a famous theme park. If you love the outdoors you can rent a horse next door, go for a ride on your mountain bike on the surrounding dirt roads or just take a stroll in our neighborhood. You will experience it all in L.A.
Where will the international outreach go?
TDTS outreaches could go anywhere in the world! We partner with long-term ministries to ensure ongoing support for the people we minister too. We regularly send teams to: South Africa, India, North Africa and South-East Asia, however each school seeks specific guidance from God to determine the best outreach locations for that school. Outreach locations are announced and teams are formed in the first two or three weeks of the TDTS.
Do you have short-term opportunities available as well?
Absolutely! We offer Encounter4teams which is an short missions experience for your youth/school group. Your team will receive training here at our beautiful campus and then spend time in the city of LA, praying for people, ministering to the homeless, working with Habit for Humanity (this is an option) and a host of other ministries.
Don't have a group? No problem. Infusion is for high-schoolers who want more of God this Summer. Infusion is two weeks of life changing teachings, worship, global awareness, small group discussions, one-on-one discipleship and outreaches. Teachings include knowing God, surrender, hearing God's voice, purity, identity, how to study His Word, biblical worldview, how to share His message and much more!
Circuit Riders is coming to Los Angeles! This seminar serves to ignite and cultivate leaders who have the courage, dedication and initiative to awaken their generation to the freedom and power of the Gospel. Open to everyone.
What is the weather like in Los Angeles?
Sunny and warm weather is what most people think of when they hear about Southern California. Here are some average temperatures so you know what to expect.
| Jan. - March | Apr. - Jun. | Jul. - Sep. | Oct. - Dec. | |
| High temperature (ºF/ºC) | 69/21 | 78/26 | 88/31 | 74/23 |
| Low temperature (ºF/ºC) | 44/7 | 53/12 | 58/14 | 47/8 |
| Precipitation (in/mm) | 4.3/109 | 0.5/13 | 0.2/5 | 1.5/38 |
Click here to see the weather conditions right now.
How do I take the first step?
That is a great question. For DTS, check out www.transformationdts.org to get started or if you'd like to apply for another school, click here to take the FIRST STEP.