Christian gap year programs are all about learning. Learning more about who you are, learning what path you want to take in life, and learning to listen to and understand God and God's word in different ways.

For recent high school graduates and other young adults seeking a future in global missions, it's also a chance to earn college credit and engage in a Christian community in a way that you can't achieve simply by attending church every Sunday.

When you do Discipleship Training School with YWAM San Diego/Baja, you'll experience gap year missions that will empower you to take the first step down the path God has laid out for you. Whether you plan to go to college, join the workforce, or dedicate yourself to ministering to diverse cultures on international mission trips, DTS will set you up for success.

A major part of joining our gap year team includes gaining a deeper understanding of God's purpose for your life. For some DTS students, this means discovering a new passion or skills, for others, it means finally understanding some of their behaviors and the reason for their God-given talents.

Lauren Pinner, a recent DTS graduate from our Photo-Storytelling DTS elective, returned from her YWAM DTS and realized the potential to be a powerful disciple had been within her all along. Read her story below, and when you're ready to experience your own transformation with the Holy Spirit, apply for a YWAM San Diego/Baja DTS today.

Dream On: A Student's DTS Mission Trip Story

During the past five months of DTS, God taught me more than I could ever possibly imagine.

He taught me new things about Himself, showing His love to me in ways I had never experienced. He also revealed to me new things about myself and helped me to see myself the way that He sees me. It reminded me that my worth is found only in Him.

I held a lot of false beliefs for a very long time, lies that I needed to slowly unlearn.

Learning to Trust Fully in a Christ-Centered Community

One of the things He revealed to me very early into the campus phase, is that I really struggle with trusting Him. Specifically, I struggle to trust Him with my future and my dreams.

I had actually gotten to a point in my life where I had stopped allowing myself to dream: because if you don’t dream, God can’t say “no,” right? Somehow, that seemed less painful to me. Through DTS, God started peeling those fears back, layer by layer.

A month or so into the campus phase, our entire DTS went on a camping trip. We were given four hours to spend alone with God in silence and solitude. I found a spot on the edge of a cliff, overlooking the ocean, sat down, and asked God, “How do you see me?”

He responded by giving me an impression of a picture.

It was me, sitting on that same cliff. I was nice and safe up there. But the fullness of God’s love, the fullness of His plans for me, were floating in the ocean below. He beckoned for me to dive in, but I was too scared.

Then I felt like God asked me, “Do you trust me?”

“I want to. Yes,” I responded.

"Come down to the sea," He gently answered.

So, I did something that probably wasn’t the smartest thing I’ve ever done. I started climbing down the cliff.

Dreaming Starts with Facing Our Fears

I wouldn’t recommend that anyone else ever free-climb down a giant cliff - it was one of the most frightening experiences of my life. But, I did it.

The entire time I climbed down, two thoughts were alternating back and forth in my mind. First, "You're an idiot and you might actually die." Second, "God, I really hope you're the one who told me to do this.”

Needless to say, I did make it down safely! I made my way to the edge of the ocean, sat down, and waited for God to show up. I think I was expecting something spectacular to happen. I mean, He did just bring me down a cliff.

But instead, God said, “Let’s dream together.” So we did.

It wasn’t anything fancy, but we started making a list together - a list of dreams that I wanted God to be a part of. I think it was honestly the first time I’d ever allowed myself to do that; at least, it was the first time I’d done it with God.

I’m still learning how to trust Him. Thankfully, He’s a patient teacher. And He’s been revealing, little by little, to me that He actually gets excited about my dreams; that He created me with the specific passions and desires I have.

He's teaching me, slowly but surely, that He's actually the one who made me a dreamer.

YWAM San Diego/Baja's Christian Gap Year Program

Looking for a transformative gap year experience rooted in Christian values? YWAM San Diego's Discipleship Training School (DTS) offers an exceptional opportunity to grow spiritually, develop leadership skills, and engage in meaningful mission work.

Our DTS program spans 5 months, beginning with an immersive 11-week lecture phase followed by a transformative 8-week outreach phase and gap year mission trip. Your journey into missions starts on one of our two gorgeous YWAM bases. Each just minutes from the beach, we have a campus with dormitory-style housing in Ensenada, Baja, Mexico, and San Antonio Del Mar, Tijuana, Mexico, both just south of the U.S./Mexico border.

The goal of our flagship gap year program is to provide students with practical skills and a stronger foundation in their faith to effectively serve alongside other believers to share the love of Jesus Christ with the nations.

Gap Year Missions Training in the DTS Campus Phase

During the campus phase of our DTS program, lasting 11 weeks, participants delve deep into faith-based teachings, interactive discussions, and hands-on learning experiences. Through dynamic lectures, small group sessions, and specialized elective courses, students explore topics such as biblical principles, personal discipleship, and practical ministry skills.

Students have the chance to choose from a variety of specialized DTS elective courses during the lecture phase, each catering to their diverse interests and passions.

Our gap year elective courses include:

Transform yourself with missions leadership training with YWAM San Diego/Baja today.

The DTS Outreach Phase - A Gap Year Mission Trip

Following the campus phase, students embark on a transformative outreach experience in diverse international locations.

During this phase, participants put their training into action as they engage in cross-cultural ministry, community service projects, and other outreach efforts. This hands-on experience provides invaluable opportunities for students to apply their faith and newfound missional mindset in real-world contexts.

The outreach phase solidifies the lessons learned during the lecture phase and empowers students to become compassionate, effective agents of change in their communities and beyond. Possible outreach destinations include:

Europe
Southeast Asia
Latin America
The Caribbean
Africa

Want to learn more about DTS or YWAM secondary courses? Check out our DTS frequently asked questions page for more information.

The Importance of a Christian Gap Year Mission Trip

A mission trip with YWAM San Diego/Baja during your gap year holds immense importance in shaping your spiritual growth and worldview. It provides a unique opportunity to step out of your comfort zone, and become immersed in different cultures you may have never encountered otherwise.

Actively engage in spreading the love of Jesus Christ to communities around the world when you do a DTS.

Our outreach phase mission trips offer a transformative experience where DTS students not only serve others but also discover their own strengths, passions, and purpose. By participating in cross-cultural ministry and community service projects, students learn the value of empathy, compassion, and servant leadership. They witness firsthand the diverse ways God works in people's lives, broadening their understanding of His love and grace.

Overall, the experience equips young adults with practical skills, spiritual resilience, and a deeper commitment to living out their faith in tangible ways. It's the start of a brand new life with discipleship at the center.

Do a DTS with YWAM San Diego/Baja

Ready for a cross-cultural experience that will change the course of your life and the everyday lives of those around you? Interested in doing a DTS or other Christian gap year programs with YWAM? Apply for DTS today and open the door to a future in missions.

WORDS + PHOTOS by Lauren Pinner.

Lauren recently graduated from the Photo-Storytelling DTS.

Learn to Dream Again on a Christian Gap Year Mission Trip