The UofN uses the word “Centre” in a restricted sense to refer to a worldwide network of persons and locations in which well-defined interdisciplinary missions objectives are facilitated, communicated, resourced, researched and organized.

The University of the Nations Centres facilitate and integrate international resources and personnel from various Colleges, groups and organizations, either outside or within YWAM, to accomplish specific mission objectives. Integration is based upon an operating agreement established between the Centre and the various groups and organizations. This agreement defines and describes how the parties plan to work together on specific projects.

Each Centre typically performs research, develops and makes available seminars, workshops, appropriate reference materials and monitoring procedures related to its objectives. Also, the Centre may develop and organize a foundational school which presents the rudiments and overview of a specific Centre’s mandate. This school is not to exceed 24 full learning weeks (including the field assignment).

Centres do NOT offer degrees, but they do work with the Colleges to develop degree programmes related to their areas of expertise. Specialized courses and degree programmes related to the Centre’s mandate are offered within the seven Colleges. Currently there are six functional international centres in the University of the Nations.

Centre for Discipleship Training Schools

The Discipleship Training School (YWAM DTS) is a prerequisite for all other courses and is therefore the gateway into the seven Colleges and various Centres of the University of the Nations. The DTS also serves to orient and prepare all new Youth With A Mission (YWAM) and UofN staff.

The purpose of the DTS is:

• To gather and challenge people to worship, listen to and obey God, releasing them (in the context of the DTS) to serve through evangelism, intercession, acts of compassion, and other expressions of God’s heart for the world, possibly even pioneering new ministries;
• To inspire and cultivate growth in one’s relationship with God, resulting in Christ-like character which is based on a solid biblical foundation, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the personal application of biblical truth, especially concerning God’s character, the Cross and empowering grace;
• To encourage growth in relationship skills through living, learning and working together with people who differ in personality, perspectives and cultural backgrounds;
• To further equip every person to serve God’s purposes both within the YWAM context and in other spheres of relationship, strengthening a commitment to reach the lost, especially the unreached, to care for the poor and to be an influence in all areas of society;
• To impart the vision and foundational values of Youth With A Mission International, as well as that of the host operating location, and to provide information regarding a variety of opportunities for service upon successful completion of the Discipleship Training School.

The DTS aims to graduate students:

• Who are growing in understanding of the breadth and depth of God’s character and ways, and in particular of His great love for every person and culture;
• Who are becoming more like Jesus in the way they relate to God and people;
• Who increasingly cooperate with the empowering presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit;
• Who listen to and obey God as the result of God’s enabling grace;
• Who search the Scriptures in such a way that transforms beliefs values and behaviors;
• Who are growing in lifestyles of worship, intercession and spiritual warfare;
• Who learn to live and work well with others, especially those different from themselves;
• Who can share the Gospel with the lost and have a life-long commitment to do so;
• Who have a commitment to continue to be involved in some way with God’s work among the nations. including unreached people, the poor and needy and in spheres of society;
• Who understand the calling and values of YWAM and are aware of a variety of opportunities for service with various YWAM ministries;
• Who have a growing heart knowledge of God’s purposes for their life and a sense of their life direction;
• Who desire to continue a lifestyle of serving God and His Kingdom purposes either by pursuing further training, joining a YWAM ministry team, or serving through local churches and ministries, as the Lord leads them.

The goals of the DTS Centre Network are:

A. Partnering within YWAM International: to develop a relational network of DTS leaders/staff within each region that is also connected to the global DTS world and with all streams of the YWAM family of ministries.

B. Programme Development: to aid in the design of DTS programmes in accordance with the DTS purpose, curriculum and guidelines set by the international leadership of YWAM/UofN.

C. Leadership Development: to facilitate DTS leadership and staff development in response to requests and identified needs.

D. Educational Resource Development: to create resources that aid in the training of DTS staff or in implementing an aspect of the curriculum in the DTS and to facilitate the distribution of new and existing resources to the DTS world.

E. Programme monitoring: to receive, track and review course registration documentation for each DTS programme.

F. Strategic multiplication: to promote the pioneering of new DTS and Field Assignments/Outreaches in the ten major language groups and the least evangelized nations of the world.

We offer training in the following areas...

Discipleship Seminar

Destiny By Design

DTS Leadership Development & Field Assignment

Discipleship Training School (DTS) & Field Assignment

International Director & Committee for the DTS Centre

International Director: Carlinha de Paulo

International Committee: