Gospel Grit (noun): the ability to persevere and remain steadfast in the face of challenges, rooted in faith in God’s promises and empowered by grace
Urban bible Discipleship Training school
You were made for a life of adventure and partnership with God in His mission to reach the world. Our Urban Bible Discipleship Training School (UBDTS) will equip you to reach your full potential so you can be activated to live a life of gospel grit.
Come and join an authentic community in the heart of Detroit to be trained to live a fully-surrendered life with Jesus no matter where He takes you. From day one, you will be surrounded by over 30 nationalities in the local community as you grow your faith through in-depth Biblical training along with practical missionary skills for any walk of life.
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Sept. 14, 2025-June 13, 2026
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Non-refundable application fee: $40 USD
Tuition for semesters 1 & 2 is $8,800 USD (Made over 8 payments of $1,100 USD)
Tuition for semester 1 & 2 includes housing, transportation to course-related activities, meals, course materials, and 1-4 week-long outreach trips to various US cities (housing, transportation & food included for trips)
Cost for outreach is TBA (between $2000-$4000 USD)
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Semester 1 - Sept. 14-Dec. 19, 2025
Semester 1 includes a standard DTS “lecture phase” schedule.
Includes 1-2 week-long outreaches in various US cities.
Christmas Break - Dec. 20, 2025-Jan. 3, 2026
Semester 2 - Jan. 4-May 1, 2026
Semester 2 includes a standard BSN course schedule.
Includes 1-2 week-long outreaches in various US cities.
Outreach & Debrief - May 5-June 13, 2026
5 weeks overseas, cross-cultural trip to serve the local church.
Course is finished with a week of debrief and re-entry training in Detroit and a graduation night!
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DTS aims to graduate students…
with a growing understanding of the breadth and depth of God’s character and ways
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 a result of God’s enabling grace
who search the Scriptures in such a way that transforms belief, values and behaviors
with a strengthened lifestyle of worship, intercession and spiritual warfare
with a greater ability to work with others, especially those different to themselves
who can share the Gospel with the lost and have a life-long commitment to do so
with 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 available to them throughout YWAM
with a clearer understanding of God’s purpose for their life and a sense of their life direction
who serve God and others in contexts foreign and familiar with openness to pursue further training and education (inside or outside YWAM/UofN) continuing to be equipped for a life of faithful service
Skills learned:
Inductive Bible study approach
Ability to teach the Bible in a variety of contexts
Familiar with Metanarrative of Scripture
Crafting a sermon
Crafting a Biblical teaching/Bible study
Sharing your personal testimony
Sharing the Gospel in other cultural-contexts
Applying the Biblical truth to life
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Participants who complete the DTS will have the following courses completed/credits with the University of the Nations:
DSP 211 - 12 credits
DSP 212 - 10 credits
CHR 225
CHR 125
About the University of the Nations (UofN):
The University of the Nations was born out of Youth With A Mission (YWAM), a highly decentralized international movement of Christians from many denominations dedicated to presenting the person of Jesus Christ to this generation and to training and equipping many believers in that endeavor. As citizens of God’s kingdom, YWAM staff seek to love, worship, and obey their Lord, to love and serve His Body, the Church, and to present the whole gospel for the whole person throughout the whole world. Learn more about the UofN here.
Topics
The following are a sampling of the topics that will covered during the classroom portions of the course:
Hearing God’s Voice
Hermeneutics
Living in the Fear of the Lord
Church History
Atonement & the Gospels
Biblical Worldview
Spiritual Formation
Apologetics
Father Heart of God
Holy Spirit
Chronological study of the Bible - Creation to Revelation
And more!
Other elements of DTS
DTS is not just classes on weekly topics. The schedule also includes small groups, local ministry, worship, intercessory prayer, one on one accountably, and inductive Bible study. We believe the best education doesn’t simply come from the classroom; it comes from doing life with those around you. The live-learn element of DTS is one of the reasons it is so impactful, because you are growing with a community of believers!
During each semester, you’ll have a chance to get away from the normal routine and partner with God’s heart and his people in various cities across the US through our state-side outreach weeks. We don’t think its enough to simply know a lot of new information, we must put it into practice and make God known!
The course culminates with an overseas outreach where you will be able to serve alongside the local church expression and take what you’ve learned about God and the Bible and share it with others in their cultural context.
frequently asked questions
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DTS is a full time course with 50 hours per week of course related activities/content. It is a live-learn course, so all participants are required to live at our ministry properties for the duration of the school.
Our DTS is 8 months long (think 2 college semesters), starting in September and ending in early June.
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Globally, YWAM is united by a shared statement of purpose, belief and foundation values. Please follow this link to learn more and read YWAM’s statement of belief.
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You must be 18 years old or a high school graduate to participate in DTS.
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If you don’t have the full tuition fee for DTS we’d love to talk to you more about creating a financial support team who can fund your time.
