10 Reasons We Love Ensenada And Why We Know You Will Too

So, you want to do a YWAM discipleship training school (DTS)? Now that you've decided to answer God's call and step into the future He has laid out for you, it's time to pick which DTS you'll apply for.

YWAM has hundreds of locations across the globe, each with its own unique features and beautiful location. At YWAM San Diego/Baja, we believe we have one of the best YWAM DTS locations of all! While our headquarters are in sunny San Diego, California, our DTS students will stay at either our San Antonio Del Mar (near Tijuana, Mexico) or Ensenada (just outside Baja California, Mexico) campuses.

Ensenada is tucked just an hour and a half south of the U.S./Mexico border. Only a couple of minutes walk from sprawling beaches and ocean views, this campus is in the heart of a local community. Staying at our YWAM DTS location in Ensenada gives you the unique opportunity to spread both your DTS lecture phase and the outreach phase at an international location.

We know you have a lot of YWAM locations to choose from, all with varieties of discipleship training schools, but we truly love our YWAM location in Ensenada and we think you will too! Here are 10 reasons why.

1. Hands down, the food

From tacos, sushi, ramen, and falafel, to basically any other kind of food you can think of, it’s here. And it is so good. All over Ensenada and within walking distance of our YWAM bases, there is an abundance of little restaurants and food stands with unbelievably delicious and cheap food.

If you ask any staff or former students what they like to do in their free time, you will probably hear a majority of them say that they love to go out to eat with their friends. It’s basically our biggest hobby and we are so proud of it.

My personal favorite is any taco stand that I can find and Nigori Sushi. This quaint sushi restaurant has a classy dining room and offers all the standard rolls you love to eat at home as well as some unique dishes that put a local twist on the cuisine.

2. The Coffee shops

From amazing aesthetics to cheap prices on specialty coffee and amazing chai, there are so many different coffee shops to enjoy in Ensenada.

There is one to match whatever type of mood you are in and the majority of them have really great coffee! One-on-one, small groups, friend outings, DeVos, reading, and studying are all the perfect excuses to pop into your favorite cafe, get comfy, and enjoy yourself.

Coffee shops are my love language so if you join us, you can find me in one multiple times throughout the week.

I go to Black Coffee so often that they've opened a tab for me. Seriously. But who can blame me? Their creative, house-brewed coffee creations are irresistible and they also have a range of tasty treats on the menu, such as the ice cream-filled chimney cakes.

When I want a comfy spot to crash, I go straight for the couches at Cafe con Leche. Don't forget to try a brownie while you're there, but I'll warn you - once you have one, you'll have to keep coming back for more!

3. The Ocean

The most popular beach in Ensenada is a whopping 30-second walk from our YWAM school. It is fittingly named, Playa Hermosa, or Beautiful Beach.

It is perfect for walks, surfing, sports, swimming, hanging out, runs, introspection, or whatever you like to do outdoors. It also isn’t the only beach in Ensenada. There are tons of other beaches open to the public within walking distance.

My favorite thing about the ocean here is that no matter what beach you are at, you are guaranteed to catch an incredible view at sunset. There have been countless nights when our entire staff will stop what they are doing and walk down to the beach just to watch and document the sunset.

We have all traveled to multiple destinations and seen tons of different sunsets around the world, but most of the staff here would agree with me when I say nothing compares to an Ensenada sunset!

4. The Mountains

Along with the ocean, we have a beautiful background of mountains surrounding Ensenada on the opposite side. They make for great views of the city, but if you prefer hiking and foliage over sandy beaches, then this location is for you.

At YWAM San Diego/Baja, we have taken it upon ourselves to put a cross at the top of our most popular hiking route as a reminder of God’s faithfulness. The mountains complement the ocean beautifully, and Ensenada would not be the same without them.

5. The Fish Tacos

Ensenada is the birthplace of fish tacos...and they are amazing.

‘Nuff said.

6. LOCAL CHURCH SERVICES

A lot of the staff here at Ensenada attend a church called Horizonte and we love it.

They have a bilingual service with amazing worship, preaching, hipster vibes, and a coffee shop. What else could a traveling young person want or need?

In all seriousness, we all love getting out of our little bubble on the YWAM campus to take part in another Christian community. Many of our staff also help serve in the church. My YWAM San Diego/ Baja experience definitely would not be the same without Horizonte, and I think a lot of other staff here would say the same!

7. The Chill Vibes

The skate and surf culture, the ocean air,  the beautiful views, and the relaxed Mexican culture, all combine to create the best atmosphere for your lecture phase free time.

Ensenada is such a laid-back city, and you'll have the space and time to adopt that mindset as your own. A chill environment is also the perfect cultivator of self-reflection. When your world is quiet, your mind can be as well, so you can focus on listening to the message God is sending to you, and spread that to others in a more effective way.

I am all about vibes, so the relaxed, go-with-the-flow culture here has really helped me feel comfortable even though I'm far away from home!

8. The People

A huge part of a city is the people. I absolutely love meeting the locals in Ensenada.

From the modernized and hipster “Ensenadans” in the coffee shops to the indigenous people in the mountains, they all bring such a beautiful aspect of Mexican culture to the city and our YWAM location.

They show the diversity between urban and rural, and modernized and conservative that this city encompasses so well. Walking between cultures and meeting new people is a critical part of DTS, and living in Ensenada is the first step for our students to meet these goals and practice what they learn in the DTS classroom.

9. We can walk everywhere

One thing I love about Ensenada is that there are a lot of places that are close to each other and within walking distance. I love that I can walk to a grocery store, the beach, the base, a coffee shop, an OXXO (a Mexican convenience store), or any of my friends’ houses from my place.

Most of the time, the weather is amazing for a walk, which is so good for the soul. Let’s also not forget the physical and mental health benefits of walking, and the environmental benefits as well. Hello, healthy body, clear mind, and a cleaner Earth!

10. The YWAM Base (obvi)

The YWAM San Diego/Baja campus is obviously the biggest part of our experience in Ensenada.

Here lies the majority of our intimate friendships and community. This is where we do life together, encourage one another, and keep each other accountable. One of the biggest reasons Ensenada has a huge hold on my heart is the people on the base.

No matter where I am in the world, I know I have a close-knit community to come back to that loves, supports, and is always there for me.

How to Choose Your DTS Location

All of YWAM's DTS programs will bring something to your life. However, choosing the YWAM community that is best for your personal goals and will allow you to deepen your faith to the greatest level is just as important as the missionary training itself.

A good way to find the best DTS locations for you is to make a list of what is important to you in your DTS. Factors on this list could include:

• YWAM DTS cost

• World missions destination

• DTS elective offerings

• Where God calls you to go

• What different cultures appeal to you

It's okay to take time to think it over. We understand it's a big decision! If you're feeling conflicted about where to do your DTS, speak to one of our staff today. They can provide you with information about both our YWam San Diego/Baja locations, including everything we love about Tijuana, and connect you with resources on other YWAM locations.

Do a YWAM DTS Today

Want to experience Ensenada in all its glory? Join us at our Ensenada campus for a discipleship training school or one of our secondary courses for DTS graduates through the University of the Nations, or DTS for older students such as the Crossroads DTS.

Ensenada is waiting for you. Don't miss your chance to live in this breathtaking location - Apply for YWAM San Diego/Baja today.

The Art of Packing for YWAM DTS

Packing for a weekend away is hard enough, but for a 5-month trip, packing becomes a foreign art.

When you're preparing to go do a discipleship training school with YWAM San Diego/Baja, it is common to wait to even think of packing until the very last minute before leaving. I call this pack-crastinating, a thing of which I too am guilty of doing. But “pack-crastinating” leads us to overpack, leaving no space for those fun international gifts you inevitability buy to bring back to your family and friends.

Not taking time to pack, or not knowing what to pack also leads us into a “just in case” mindset. We end up attempting to bring our whole worlds to our small 6-8-person dorm rooms. We squeeze our stuff into our allotted space, consisting of only a 1 1/2 foot wide closet with two drawers and a bit of hanging space per person, maybe even a shared drawer under your and your bunkmates' bunk bed as well. 

My point is not that our dorms should have more storage space, it’s actually nice to have your own little nook, but that coming to a DTS means that you need to be mindful that the other 6 people in your room are also embarking on this journey with you, and also brought some luggage of their own.

Additionally, pile on the fact that after your time on the beautiful campuses in either Ensenada or San Antonio Del Mar, Mexico, you'll be hopping on a plane and traveling to a remote destination to spread God's word. You definitely don't want extra luggage to weigh down your ability to mission to the nations during your final 8-week phase of DTS.

I promise you don’t need to bring everything you own, and you can learn to live with less - it is actually a freeing feeling. But understand that the panic is natural, and we've all been there! The good news is there is a strategy for how to pack for DTS, and I'm happy to report it works.

So read on and get ready to take some notes!

Before You Go: Understanding DTS

In 1960, Loren Cunningham was a man with a vision and a prayer. By combining his passion for helping youth with his deep relationship with God, he founded Youth With a Mission that year. Now a global organization, YWAM has helped thousands of young people realize their full potential in Christ and become a part of the largest missions movement & Christ-centered community in the world.

In 1991, Sean and Janet Lambert brought Loren's vision to life in San Diego and the neighboring region of Baja, Mexico, just south of the border. Since then, YWAM San Diego/Baja has offered 10 year-round missions training experiences and conferences, including discipleship training school, to hundreds of students including you and me.

DTS is available to people from all locations and walks of life. The training experience is open to recent high school graduates or young people 18 years or older. Many students are seeking a Christian gap year experience that traditional gap year programs can't replicate. YWAM's gap year missions training can even help you gain college credit to apply toward a future experience and connect you with a gap year team with the same faith-based goals that you have.

Whether you're searching for a fulfilling gap year program or simply desire practical tools to help you become a powerful missions leader in whatever sphere of society you choose, YWAM San Diego/Baja's DTS is a great first step toward the rest of your life.

Apply today, or if you've been accepted, read on to learn more about the art of packing for a YWAM gap year.

Step 1: Pick Your Bags

As far as what to pack in, you can pack in either a suitcase or a hiking backpack. Bring what you have - there is no need to go crazy spending money on super expensive or high-tech luggage.

Usually, a hiking backpack will be best, especially if you end up with a more remote or physically active outreach location. In my experience, using a larger, comfortable backpack also encourages you to pack less, which is a plus when you're on the move.

Step 2: Packing for Campus Phase

The campus phase, here in sunny Mexico, is 3 months long and is the first phase of the Discipleship Training School.

In this phase, you will experience practical training, leadership training, and daily worship to help you discover how God calls you to ministry and the skills you need to answer this call. During this time you will establish a strong foundation for the rest of your life, but physically you'll mostly be walking around the base, to and from classes, going to meals, serving the campus, having downtime in your room, and doing local ministry.

You are welcome to bring that unique splash of your own style, believe it or not, you don’t have to invest in Chacos right away. I was thrilled to learn that YWAM San Diego/Baja is a community of individuals. They want you to be you!

When I say this, it does come with a couple of restrictions. Because being you does not mean showing us all of you. You probably have that in mind already, but the fact that we are in Mexico and it can be warm at times isn't an excuse for the shortest shots partnered with the smallest shirts. Be the modest-fashion forward young adults that I know you are. 

With both of our campuses being right on the beautiful ocean that God created for us to enjoy, a cool breeze is common. It may also come as a shock that it can be a bit colder at night, especially in the spring quarter. If you are planning on doing a fall quarter DTS with us, late November-December is when sweater weather kicks in, so don’t only pack your summer wardrobe.

So, What Should I Actually Pack?

Here's a list I think covers all the essentials:

• Passport: Make sure it is valid for more than 6 months from the end of DTS so you do not have any issues while traveling. 

• Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, shampoo & conditioner, deodorant, etc. 

• 6 shirts: 4 for out and about and two for sleeping.

• 2 pairs of pants

• 1 pair of shorts

• 1 light sweater/flannel/cardigan

• 1 heavier sweater 

• 1 modest swimsuit & sunscreen

• All the undergarments 

• 1 set of sandals

• 1 set of running shoes/close-toed shoes

• Baseball hat

• A set of clothes you wouldn't mind getting paint on or dirty (maybe two if you're in the Building Hope DTS).

• Your Bible & journal

• 1 good book other than your Bible

• Computer/camera if you have one (especially for the Photo-Storytelling DTS)

• Guitar, instrument, or your art supplies if you are doing the Music + Arts Collective DTS

• Surfboard or skateboard if you are doing the Surf + Skate DTS

• Small backpack for day trips

• Water bottle 

• Twin-size bedding or a sleeping bag for your bunk bed

Important Notes for the Campus Phase

You aren't stranded when you come to one of YWAM San Diego/Baja's campuses, so if you do forget to pack something, don't stress.

You can use US dollars as well as Mexican Pesos here at both our Ensenada and San Antonio Del Mar campuses, and there are ATMs in town for you to be able to get cash.

There is a Walmart nearby if you need something immediately. Plus, our local Oxxo (like a 7/11) is within walking distance from the base and has snacks and some toiletry essentials. You also can order things from your Amazon to our SD offices and receive them later in the mailroom on campus.

You will have access to a washer and dryer, which can help you pack light. We recommend you go in on laundry soap with your new roommates once you get here. Oh, and be sure to bring some quarters for the laundry machines! 

We do have a storage unit where you will be able to leave some stuff when you go on outreach, so you don’t need to plan on bringing everything with you into the outreach phase if you do overpack initially.

Step 3: Packing for Outreach Phase

The outreach phase is harder to pin down until you know exactly where you will be going. This second section of DTS lasts approximately 8 weeks and consists of a mission trip to an international destination.

This cross-cultural experience is the first time many people travel internationally, which means you'll probably be nervous about more than just packing. But that's totally normal! I was too!

The good thing is you'll be surrounded by your fellow YWAM students. You'll serve alongside them and spread God's word to unreached communities using your newfound missional mindset. Experience a foreign language and navigate cultural differences to be the best disciple you can be.

Outreach teams are determined a couple of weeks into your campus phase. So, don’t panic, you will have time to prepare. And Amazon will come in handy for any location-specific items you may need.

Here are some must-haves for the outreach phase:

• Passport (obviously!)

• Bug repellent

• Shoes to walk and potentially hike in

• 3 shirts

• 2 athletic pants, ones you won't mind hiking in

• 1 set of nice clothes for church services (guys: button-up shirt and pants - girls: modest dress or maxi skirt)

• All your undergarments

• 1 pair of modest shorts 

• Toiletries bags/baby wipes are great when you don’t have access to a proper shower.

• Flashlight/headlamp 

• Bible & journal

• 1 set of sleepwear

• Sleeping bag (You could wait to order one to make sure if you need to have a thicker or cooler one depending on the temperature of where you’re going.)

• Space for cool little gifts you’ll want to bring back.

• Your camera/computer if you feel comfortable (those in the Photo-Storytelling DTS will need to bring this one). 

• Light rain jacket or windbreaker 

Keep in mind that you’ll probably be able to replenish essentials somewhere along the way at a local market.

How Does Packing Tie in With Discipleship?

THE TRUTH:

“Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road.”

— LUKE 10:4

This verse seems extreme. None of that, Jesus? But she just said something about Chacos and a hiking backpack…

Jesus isn't saying that you sitting at home packing right now should stop or not bring any material items on mission trips, or be unfriendly, not greeting anyone on your journey here. No, what he is doing is asking you to trust Him.

Discipleship has always been at the center of Jesus' story. The Greek root word for discipleship, akoloutheo, means "to follow," aligning with Jesus' call to "Follow me." The emphasis in discipleship has always been on action, letting go of personal attachment to follow Jesus to the greatest capacity throughout your life.

He is asking you to let Him be your source of provision. So, whether you're getting overwhelmed and stressing over each item or you're a pack-crastinator, stuff is just stuff and Jesus is bigger than stuff.

Here’s the good news - you will survive even if you forget your flashlight.

At YWAM San Diego/Baja, less is more. Embodying the spirit of full-time ministry, people are always giving and sharing, participating in the generous provision of God. It’s a new journey and just like you’ve trusted God so far, you can continue to trust while participating in the art of packing.

Apply for DTS Today

Interested in doing a DTS? Click below to learn more about the different Discipleship Training Schools that are offered at YWAM San Diego/ Baja! Get to know God's heart and use His love as a launching pad for the rest of your life in global missions.

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The author, Olivia Meers is full time staff with YWAM SDB staffing the Photo-Storytelling DTS and in the Communications department. 

Just Scratching the Surface

32 days.

Today marks 32 days until the final deadline for coursework, the final day of sitting in front of a computer for hours on end, the final page in my Bible being marked up by crayons - 33 days until the final day of my 9-month journey through the Bible with the Chronological School of Biblical Studies.

It’s hard to put into words all I have learned, as it is hard to process within the cycle of moving on to the next book right after finishing.

It’s when I get talking to people I feel the passion inside of me rise and I realize that the words coming out of my mouth are finally coming from a place of understanding (to some degree). It’s when I share my faith with people that I see how much God has taught me in this school and it gets me pumped up to start a life driven by sharing the love of God with people!

In the Beginning...

Before coming to YWAM San Diego/Baja, I knew that God was real from experience. I told people about Jesus because it was my duty as a Christian. I was eager to share because I had tasted and seen the Lord is good, and it made me want to share it with others.

Even in my misunderstanding and lack of knowledge, God used me and still would regardless of whether I chose to do this Biblical texts school or not. Although I have a better understanding than I did 8 months ago, I now know more than ever that I am just scratching the surface.

The fullness of His Glory simply cannot be revealed within a limited time or circumstance. So, I suppose I have learned that I just need to learn more and that in this life there will never be a “final day” of learning about God through his word. I will always be sitting at the desk with Jesus Christ teaching me, and that excites me!

Learning How to Apply Scripture in Biblical and Theological Studies to My Future

I never expected to like it this much but I love being a student.

It’s true, I love sitting down for hours doing coursework if it means soaking in the presence of God with each word that he has spoken since the beginning. I love spending most of my time reading if it means I am learning about God’s story of His creation.

I love diving deep into history each week if it makes God’s word truly come alive. I love being deeply challenged by my preconceived notions if it means that God’s truth is being revealed.

A popular phrase I’ve heard in YWAM is “being ruined for the ordinary” and I can definitely say that this phrase is true for my life. I have been ruined for the ordinary.

I can’t settle for the ordinary skimming through scriptures as if I am reading the daily newspaper, for being comfortable in my ignorance to the questions that arise while reading the Bible, for reading a daily bible verse to be fed for the day, for the avoidance to the Old Testament (or the Bible entirely) or for the lack of drive to seek understanding. I can’t settle anymore for these things that used to be normal for me.

I can’t settle with having these 9 months be the extent of my studies. I hope to spend the rest of my life with the same determination to study the Bible as I have during this school because the words in this book are so real, true, and tangible.

What Biblical Theology Taught Me

God is good.

I say that not because someone else told me so or just because of something he has done in my life, because even that is so temporary.

God’s goodness is more precious than the Garden, deeper than the flood, beyond the promise to Abraham. It goes farther than the borders of Israel, and it is immeasurably displayed on the cross. God has been unbelievably good and faithful to me personally but I have seen such an impact from understanding the story of God through the big picture of the Bible.

It has been such a beautiful and humbling experience to see His love and the love of Christ Jesus from the very beginning consistently pursue man in all his wickedness. Love is not at all what I had once perceived it to be.

Reading the entire Bible is where one can truly discover genuine truth, which is the genuine love of God.

 

MEET THE AUTHOR:

CHELSEA FERGUSON IS A STUDENT IN THE CHRONOLOGICAL SCHOOL OF BIBLICAL STUDIES RUNNING AT OUR SAN ANTONIO DEL MAR CAMPUS. 

Are you interested in learning more? Check out more information about the Chronological School of Biblical Studies or the secondary courses offered at YWAM San Diego/Baja by clicking HERE.

10 Reasons We Love Tijuana and Why You Will Too

Just south of the busiest border crossing in the world lies one of Mexico’s largest cities, Tijuana, Baja California.

This is the city where YWAM San Diego/Baja gets the incredible opportunity to do life and ministry. And with our immersive discipleship training school, DTS, you could live and serve here as well. We love it here and we know you will too!

In the past years, this city has seen incredible growth in local businesses and attractions. From the stretches of beaches to some of the most creative art, to killer coffee, and of course incredible tacos, Tijuana is an epic destination to spend a few months or more!

The Best YWAM Locations

Why is Tijuana one of the best YWAM locations? It goes beyond the incredible experiences you'll have at a YWAM discipleship training school. Many DTS students who attend a DTS at YWAM San Diego/Baja are drawn here due to the unique culture and campus diversity. We are one of the few YWAM DTS locations with two distinct campuses.

Both within walking distance of the beach and vibrant local communities within Tijuana, our Ensenada and San Antonio Del Mar campuses give students even more to explore in their YWAM location.

DTS Programs at Ensenada

An hour and a half south of the U.S./Mexico border, our Ensenada campus houses 200 staff, volunteers, and students. Hosting international conferences as well as local concerts and events such as skateboard competitions, it is a community hub, as well as a YWAM DTS location.

Experience the DTS Campus Phase at San Antonio Del Mar

Our flagship property in Tijuana, San Antonio Del Mar overlooks stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. While you participate in your YWAM school, you'll enjoy God's beautiful creation with natural landscapes, as well as close access to a thriving local culture. Currently, with 200 beds, this YWAM base is expanding to host more than 800 students and staff, and even DTS graduates taking part in University of Nations training schools and Missions Adventures.

But enough about us... here is a list of 10 Must-Do’s in Tijuana, for you to use as a bucket list when you are with us!

1. Telefonica Gastro Park

Telefónica is Tijuana’s favorite Gastro Park. Think of anything you’d want to eat, chances are, it’s here. You’ll find ceviche, pulled pork sandwiches, vegan tacos, ramen, kombucha, and even sushi burritos. You’ll definitely want to try more than one thing. But don't worry, discipleship training schools have free time built in so you'll be able to try every dish on your list.

2. Nativo Coffee Community

This cafe is incredible!

There are two Nativo Cafes here in TJ, the Estacion Federal location is just a block from the walking border crossing, and another on Calle Sexta. Nativo serves excellent coffee and is a beautiful space for reading, meeting, or hanging out with friends. Our favorite drink to order and share with our YWAM community is the Spicy Orange Latte.

3. THE CULTURAL CENTER

In the Zona Río district of Tijuana, you’ll find the Tijuana Cultural Center. This center opens its doors to over a million tourists per year.

Why? Besides the several art and cultural programs for the public, this center has the only IMAX theater in all of Mexico. This cinema has a 360-degree projector, literally surrounding its viewers with the ultimate movie experience. And our YWAM bases are only a short distance away!

4. THE COFFEE SHOPS

One of Mexico’s many gifts to the world is its coffee. We hit on Nativo earlier, but Tijuana is a city full of awesome coffee shops. Be sure to check out:

• B HAUS

• Das Cortez

• Grulla Cafe

• Electric Coffee Roasters

5. THE TACOS

What more can we say? Tacos are everywhere here and they are delicious!

You can sit down in a restaurant or pick some up from a street cart, both are awesome options. Here are the places we recommend to get your taco fix every day, not just on Tuesdays:

• Tacos El Franc

• Taco Nazo

• Tacos Manuel

• Tacos El Yaqui

6. CAESAR’S

Did you know that the Caesar Salad was actually invented in Tijuana?

Caesar Cardini invented the salad in 1924 right here in Tijuana in the Hotel Caesar restaurant. The story is that during a July 4th rush, Cardini had to make do with what was left over to fill orders and he ended up creating what we now know and love as the Caesar salad.

7. The Nature!

Believe it or not, this city is surrounded by many majestic scenes. Besides breathtaking ocean views, there are options for those who like to hike, bike, and stroll. La Jolla, pictured above is right outside the city and is the perfect place for a sunset viewing party.

8. La Playa 

Take a moment (or many) to stroll down the boardwalk here in Tijuana.

It starts right at the border wall where you can see, and touch, the actual border wall between Mexico and the U.S. As you walk down you can enjoy the view of the beach as well as many souvenir shops, cafes, and restaurants. We also have a beautiful beach a couple minutes walk from each of our YWAM San Diego/ Baja campuses.

9. THE VIEWS FROM THE CAMPUS CAN’T BE BEAT.

We have an epic view of the ocean and the Coronado Islands from our campus. Imagine going out on your balcony and seeing the ocean every day. It never gets old!

10. THE MARKETS

In the heart of downtown Tijuana lies one of the most famous markets, Mercado El Popo.

Here you can explore and buy Mexican fruits, cheeses, herbs, spices, ceramics, souvenirs, and even piñatas! Bring a little cash and enjoy the sights, smells, and sounds as you walk through.

There is also another great market in Tijuana called Mercado Hidalgo and if you head a couple of minutes south of the campus to Rosarito, a popular beach destination, you can explore the markets there as well. You’ll find rugs, blankets, ceramics, and beautiful jewelry.

Apply for DTS Today

Have you thought about doing a school with us but haven’t applied yet? YWAM San Diego/Baja runs various Discipleship Training Schools and Secondary Courses with the University of the Nations at our San Antonio Del Mar campus located just south of Tijuana.

YWAM ministry extends outside of Tijuana with locations across the world including:

• Orlando, Florida - YWAM Orlando

• Salem, Oregon - YWAM Salem

• Louisville, Kentucky - YWAM Louisville

• Kailua Kona, Hawaii - YWAM Kona

• New Orleans, Louisiana - YWAM New Orleans

• Dallas, Texas - YWAM Dallas

• And so much more!

While every location brings something special to the YWAM family, we believe that Tijuana is one of the best DTS locations. While most students only get to go abroad during the overseas mission trip in the outreach phase, Our DTS students can experience international travel throughout their entire DTS experience.

So, what are you waiting for? Apply for our DTS today!

The FIVE Biggest Questions I Had Before My DTS

So, you’re thinking about doing a DTS! This is awesome, God is about to take you on a beautiful journey full of sweet times, learning more about God's love, and who He made you to be.

Maybe you’re excited, maybe nervous? To help calm the nerves and give you some helpful information, here are answers to the five biggest questions I had before my DTS!

1. WHAT EVEN IS A DTS?

A DTS, or Discipleship Training School, is a five-month program through Youth With A Mission (YWAM). The school consists of two parts, a 12-week campus phase, and an 8-week cross-cultural outreach phase.

You'll spend the campus phase on one of YWAM San Diego/Baja's campuses here in Mexico, either in San Antonio del Mar or Ensenada! For 12 weeks of the campus phase, we are in a classroom setting, learning from speakers from all around the world about different themes like Hearing the Voice of God, the Nature and Character of God, Fear of the Lord, and the Holy Spirit.

Then, after we’ve learned more about God and we’ve pursued knowing Him more, we move out to make Him known!

In the outreach phase, we spend 8 weeks traveling with a team to another culture overseas for evangelistic outreach. You and your team will travel and do a variety of things, depending on where you go, but in any case, get excited!

God could take you anywhere, from sharing the love of God by building homes in Nepal, evangelizing in Hungary, hosting children’s programs in Brazil, and everything in between.

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2. WHO ELSE WILL BE THERE?

In our DTS, we have students from many different backgrounds, nations, and age groups.

Students come from all over the world as every diverse individual can benefit from knowing God. I remember one night at dinner, we soon realized that each person sitting at the table was from a different nation.

You will have classmates and make long-lasting friendships with people from all over the world. This is a super fun part of DTS. Maybe next year you’ll even visit a friend for Christmas in New Zealand or take a summer trip to Colombia!

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3. DO I KNOW ENOUGH? AM I READY?

If you are thinking this, you are not the only one, trust me!

Jesus calls us to Him, exactly as we are, with no requirements except being open to learning from Him! Don’t worry about what you do or don’t know, you’re here to learn. So come hungry to learn and you will be ready.

Along with being in class, you will get to spend time being involved in and learning about local ministries, intercession, worship, evangelism, and many other activities! You will learn and grow alongside the staff and the campus community. It is an amazing season to grow in the Lord.

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4. WHERE EXACTLY AM I GOING?

Our base, YWAM San Diego/Baja, is one base with three locations! We have offices in San Diego, and two campuses with schools and ministries in two different cities here in Baja California, Mexico.

If you’re doing your DTS at our San Antonio Del Mar campus, you’ll be about 30 minutes from the US border between Rosarito and Tijuana. If you’re going to our Ensenada campus you will be about an hour and a half drive south of the U.S. border. But luckily, both Campuses are located only minutes from the beach!

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5. WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

What do I wear? This was a HUGE question for me, and honestly, I didn’t do it right. To avoid the regret, here’s my best packing advice:

Don’t get too ahead of yourself like I did. Outreach was definitely on my mind while packing and boy, was I shocked being the only one wearing Chaco’s in the classroom. While these are awesome for hiking, they are not so comfortable to wear in the classroom.

Pack for the campus phase as well as the outreach phase. For the first 12 weeks, you will be in a classroom setting, so whatever you would wear to class, bring that. Also, remember that space is limited, so limit what you bring, but bring things to layer and mix as it can get chilly near the coast.

Depending on when you come and do your DTS, the weather changes. Bring a light jacket, but leave the boots at home. (Pro tip: Bring a bathing suit, the beach is nearby for study breaks at both campuses.)

Toiletries? There is a Walmart near both campuses, so don’t worry about packing so many bottles of your favorite shampoo, you can get it all here. Save the room in your bag for something better.

How about for Outreach? If you have a hiking backpack, bring it. You’ll have time before outreach to prepare and finalize what you will bring. There is a storage unit where you can leave a bag throughout the outreach phase.

Don’t forget to bring a Bible and a notebook, but remember, anything you forget you can buy here- except your Passport. Whatever you do, remember to bring your Passport! It should have validity for more than 6 months from the time of your return home date.

Need more packing advice? Check out our super detailed blog, The Art of Packing for YWAM DTS here.

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BEFORE YOU COME TO DTS

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DTS, like any experience in life, is what you make of it. If you go into your missions training and immersive mission trip with confidence and curiosity about God and your relationship with him, you will succeed.

What does success look like at DTS? Letting go of your fear and anxiety and throwing yourself full force into a community environment full of other young people yearning to share the love of Jesus Christ with the nations. Youth With a Mission is a global movement, but God speaks through the individual. Serve God's kingdom and step into your Christian life of missions without doubt when you experience a DTS.

Now that you've received answers to your basic informative questions, let me help you get in the right mindset before you come to your DTS with a little self-reflection.

Ask yourself the following questions before your DTS and come up with your own answers. Write them down, record them well, then re-answer them afterward and see how your answers changed. Be as honest as you can:

1. Why am I doing this?

2. Who is God to me right now?

3. Do I have any dreams? What are they?

4. What do I want God to show me?

5. What do I want out of this school? What do I want to learn or gain?

We’re so excited you are looking into doing a DTS with YWAM San Diego/Baja! If you want more information about the different DTS focuses we offer or still need to apply click HERE!