Discipleship Training School

What is a DTS?

The Discipleship Training School (YWAM DTS) is a 6-month course offered by University Of The Nations, designed to help you cultivate a more intimate relationship with God and understand your role in His story. You have a unique calling. God has given you skills and passions for a purpose. In DTS, you can come to a greater understanding of these skills and gifts and the part they play in God’s redemption plan for all creation.

Our DTS is based in Tokyo, Japan, one of the biggest cities on earth. It has a unique culture and is full of historic sites often side-by-side with innovative technology! The people value family, tradition, and harmony, but a thing many feel they lack is hope. We believe Christ is the Hope for the hopeless, and we get to be a part of His plan in bringing the Gospel to Japan and the nations. 

As our base has a vision to minister to the Heart of the Lord, worship and intercession are emphasized in our DTS, for we believe they are powerful tools from God in fighting spiritual battles, especially in Japan. And we will not only send you out into Japan but also to the nations beyond, to strengthen and encourage Christian communities through worship, intercession, and prophetic ministry. Embark on this journey with us! Come be a light to the nations!

Lecture Phase

During this phase, speakers from all around the world will come and teach on different topics such as Father Heart of God, Hearing God's Voice, Intercession, Spiritual Warfare, Evangelism, and more. You’ll learn not only from lectures but also from community living and practical training. This is a time to go deeper with God, a time to pursue and be pursued by Him.

Outreach

This phase focuses on applying what you learned through serving in cross-cultural setting. Typically, this phase has include portions both inside and outside of Japan. Throughout this journey, you will get to connect with, serve alongside, and encourage local churches and believers, learning about the history of Christianity in those places and how God is working there!

Before doing DTS, I really felt like I didn't have real direction for my life, or rather, I didn't have an understanding of what God's calling was for my life. Being surrounded by people who wanted to see God reach the nation's, and through being able to experience Japanese culture, DTS changed my life trajectory. God used it as a tool to help me grow in so many ways. And it helped propel me to pursue Jesus being known in Japan with all my heart.

Zach

My life has changed through a DTS which took place at YWAM Tokyo 2015. Until I joined the DTS, my life was rule oriented instead of oriented by relationship between God and me. I’ve always tried to be obedient to get God’s love and felt like never got to reach it. But through the DTS, I learned that God is the kind and forgiving God who never forsakes me!

Miki

I joined the DTS because I knew I wanted to serve God full-time overseas. YWAM Tokyo’s DTS helped me grow in worship, intercession, community and love for the word and fully equipped me to pursue the call the Lord had placed on my life. I am so thankful for my DTS and for my time at YWAM Tokyo. 

Katy

FAQs

  • We are sorry to say that we currently only accept applications from countries on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ “Exemption of Visa” list. Countries on this list are able to receive a 90 day visa upon arrival with a valid passport. If your country is not on this list or is limited to less than 90 day landing permission (Brunei, Thailand, UAE), we would ask that you attend a DTS at a different location. If you feel a call to serve in Japan, please consider applying to staff here after completing your DTS. We would love to have you here!

  • Currently our DTS is English only. In the future, we may host English/Japanese bilingual DTSs. Please refer to the ywamjapan.org website if you are interested in a bilingual DTS!

  • As long as you are a citizen of a country that is exempt from needing a visa (see above), you will enter Japan on a 90 day visitor’s permit. You will leave on Outreach before this expires. Please note that a round-trip ticket to and from your home country is required to enter Japan.

  • It is your own responsibility to get to and from Tokyo, Japan. The location of the DTS is in the Tokyo area so, for international students, there are two international airports you can arrive at: Narita International (NRT) or Tokyo International, Haneda (HND). For those in Japan, the closest train station is Higashikurume on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line. Once we know your arrival date and time, we can arrange someone to meet you and bring you to the school.

  • The Tokyo DTS outreach takes place both within Japan and overseas. In the past, we have gone to the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia, as well as various locations throughout Japan. Each school determines outreach locations through a process of prayer, so they are subject to change.

  • There are multiple expenses regarding the DTS:

    Registration Fee: A non-refundable registration fee of ¥5,000 must be sent with your completed application.

    Airfare to Japan: You are responsible for purchasing your own round-trip airfare to Japan scheduled for the arrival dates provided with your acceptance documents. The price will vary based on your point of origin. Please do not purchase tickets without confirming details with our DTS team.

    Lecture Phase Tuition: The tuition for the 12-week Lecture Phase is ¥650,000. This covers accommodation, food, local transportation, and other expenses related to the school. There is a special discount of ¥25,000 for those who make full payment before start of school. (This is subject to change.)

    Outreach Phase Fee: The Fee for Outreach Phase is estimated to be between ¥275,000 – ¥375,000 plus airfare to outreach country. This covers accommodation, food, local transportation, and other expenses with regard to the 8-12 week Outreach portion of the DTS. (Subject to change. The final cost of the Outreach Phase of the DTS cannot be determined until the outreach nation is confirmed.)

    Refundable Cleaning Deposit: Upon arrival, students will be required to pay ¥10,000 cleaning deposit in cash. This deposit is refundable based on meeting the cleaning and upkeep requirements of the room during their time at YWAM Tokyo as well as lack of property damage. Any refund will be issued before leaving YWAM Tokyo after graduation.

  • Details on how to pay will be given during your application process. Historically, Lecture Phase Tuition has been paid by international bank transfer or in cash upon arrival. (A ¥100,000 deposit is usually required before arrival.) Specific questions can be sent to the DTS Student Registrar or finance@ywamtokyo.org.

  • After you have been accepted, a deposit of ¥100,000 needs to be paid as soon as possible and must be done before coming to Japan. (This counts a part of your Lecture Phase Tuition). The remainder of your Lecture Phase Tuition should be paid before the end of the third week. The Outreach Phase Fee must be paid one month before departure to your outreach nation.