Compassion DTS (Fall)
The Call
“Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into the places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish. Compassion challenges us to cry out with those in misery, to mourn with those who are lonely, to weep with those in tears. Compassion requires us to be weak with the weak, vulnerable with the vulnerable, and powerless with the powerless. Compassion means full immersion in the condition of being human.” Henri Nouwen
What to expect
A YWAM DTS is for people of all ages (17+) who are serious about taking their relationship with God to the next level. It is a five month program blending classroom learning, small group activities, personal reflection, practical service, and community living, with the goal of learning to give your all for Jesus as you discover your part in God’s mission for the world. Come join us as we pursue God and His purposes together!
When
2026:
September 20 – March 13
Electives: Children @ Risk, Teachers for Transformation, Apologetics, Freedom’s Cry
How much
Lecture Tuition – $3995 plus applicable conference fees. Tuition covers the cost of meals, lodging, guest speakers, and books. Conference fees charged separately and range from $250-$400 depending on conference location.
Outreach – Outreach fees vary from $3000 – $4500, depending on the location and cost of airfare.
About this DTS
The Compassion Discipleship Training School invites you to see the world as Jesus does. Can you imagine the look in Jesus’ eyes when a leper fell at his feet? Although no one else would come near this man, Jesus was not afraid. Jesus leaned down to touch the leper. And in that moment, this man who had spent most of his life as an untouchable was healed!
Compassion starts with seeing the world as God does. But then it quickly moves to action. Jesus felt compassion for a hungry crowd. So He taught them. And then He fed them. When He saw a funeral procession for a widow who’d lost her only son, He not only comforted the widow, but took this young man by the hand and raised him from the dead.
Everywhere Jesus went, He was moved by compassion to teach, to help, and to restore hope. But the needs were overwhelming! And as He looked out over the crowds His heart broke. They were “so confused and aimless, like sheep with no shepherd. ‘What a huge harvest!’ he said to his disciples. ‘How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!’” (Mat. 9:36-38)
Are you ready to answer the call of compassion? Will you go where it hurts? The challenges today may look a little different. But the need for compassion has never been more urgent. Refugees fleeing wars and economic disaster. Aids orphans. Human trafficking. Widows. Unreached people groups. Broken families. People without access to medical care, clean water, Scripture or a home to sleep in. God’s heart is breaking. He is moved with compassion. And He’s looking for workers. Will you go?
During your three month lecture phase, you will learn about the needs in our world today and how you can help. Each week, you will also reach out to hurting people in Madison. And then you will go, spending two months overseas. Past DTS outreaches have gone to Mexico, India, Brazil, Africa and Eastern Europe.
The Compassion elective is a feature of our Fall Discipleship Training Schools. DTS is a 24/7 discipleship community designed to grow your relationship with God and your ability to share His message with the world.
Electives included
Each DTS follows the same core curriculum. However, you can choose an Elective that will provide supplementary teaching and training on a topic that you are uniquely passionate about. Not every Elective is available with every DTS, so whether you attend the Fall or Winter DTS could impact which Electives you have available to choose from.
