Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations.

Matthew 28:19

International Discipleship Training School (DTS)

What is a Discipleship Training School (DTS)?

A 3 month intensive residential course which enables Christians to grow and embrace the call to become radical disciples of Jesus Christ.
An opportunity to:
* Explore and study the essentials of the Catholic Faith
* Grow and mature spiritually
* Experience Community Life
* Engage in Evangelism and Mission

Tell me more...

* Held at S.E.N.T. in Brentwood, England. (Sion Community centre for Evangelisation and National Training).
* Alongside a variety of invited speakers and guests, the DTS will be staffed by a core team of experienced teachers, facilitators and animators.
* The overall director of training is Sarah Beresford, a qualified youth and community worker and experienced trainer.

The Programme
The programme is set out in 12 one-week modules. These aim to give variety and depth to the teaching. For people whose time is limited it is possible to attend a week or certain weeks of the course. This enables you to receive the teaching, but sadly you may miss out on the Community and pastoral dimension which is an invaluable part of a fully residential DTS experience.

Topics include
* Foundations of Faith
* Knowing and growing in your gifting
* Catholic Apologetics
* Evangelisation in Todays Society
* Ecumenism
* Formation for Ministry

There will also be opportunities for
* Spiritual development and growth in prayer
* Participation in the sacramental life of the Church
* Involvement in Evangelisation and Mission
* Personal development through close pastoral support

Practicalities
Costs Include
* All teaching sessions and provision of resource materials
* Food and accommodation - usually a shared twin room in our training centre
* Travel for outreach or training purposes

You will need to pay your own travel to the centre and have money for any personal expenses.

12 Week Fully Residential £1000 sterling
Weekly Residential (Mon-Sun) £110 sterling per week

Some limited sponsorship may be available. Please check with us about this before proceeding with your application.

Application Procedure

How do I apply for the DTS?

Just download the DTS Application Form from (MS Word format) or obtain one from the address at the bottom of this page.

Fill in the Form and send it back to us by email, airmail or ordinary post as soon as you can. When giving contact details, remember to provide email addresses and/or fax numbers if at all possible so that we can communicate with people quickly and efficiently.

What happens next?

We will acknowledge receipt of your application as soon as we receive it and then go on to obtain spiritual and character references from the referees named by you. Please remember that the acknowledgement does not mean that your application has been accepted, it is only confirmation that we have received it. Once we have contacted your referees we will then let you know whether your application has been accepted.

Do you need a Visa?

If we accept your application and you are an overseas student, you may need a Visa to come to the UK for the DTS. If you expect any difficulties in obtaining a Visa, please follow carefully, the instructions given on the Visa-Info page.

Do I have to attend all 12 weeks of the School?

There are some ‘open weeks’ which are specially designed to meet the needs of those unable to come on the DTS for extended periods. While this may enable you to receive specific teaching, sadly it may mean missing out on some aspects of Community and the pastoral dimension which are an invaluable part of a fully residential DTS experience.

If you are only applying for one or two open weeks you only need to supply the name of one referee and fill in the full application form with brief details.

We also recognise that some people may be able to come for an extended time but not the whole School. Please state your available dates clearly on the application form so that we can consider your application. Please fill in the application form fully. Preference will be given to those who are able to come for a longer period of time.

For more information about the School and an application form, please email Michelle Moran at: admin@sioncommunity.org.uk or write to her at:

Discipleship Training School
Sion Catholic Community
Sawyers Hall Lane
Brentwood
Essex, CM159BX
United Kingdom
or Fax: +44 (0)1277 234401

Typical Course Programme (taken from DTS 2006)

Link to YDT