FDTS 2024
Base Directors: Brian & Sue McCoy
FDTS: Stories 2022
FDTS: Stories 2021
FDTS 2024 Classroom - Missionary Dan Baumann teaching
FDTS - 2025
April 3rd - August 22nd
Jesus calls us to walk with others, just as He did with His disciples. Community life is a vital part of discipleship, refining us and deepening our love for God and others. FDTS is an opportunity to learn from and grow alongside brothers and sisters from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Our approach to discipleship combines biblical teaching with family mentoring and small group sharing, creating a safe space to process God's Word and apply it to your life. Over five months, you'll witness the Lord's transformative power as He prunes, heals, and begins to restore your family for a life of purpose and fruitfulness.
FDTS provides a unique opportunity to disconnect from the world and realign with Jesus. By simplifying life and living in a tiny house, you can create an open space for spiritual growth and renewal. Each family enjoys a private cabin with a minimum of a queen bed and a loft for children. Complete bedding is provided; just bring your own towels and toiletries. Shared bathrooms are conveniently located, and each cabin has a "camping-style toilet" for nighttime needs.
Lecture Phase
April 3 — June 20, 2025
Rancho Abierto's bilingual (Spanish and English) FDTS is a transformative experience, going beyond academics to cultivate a deeper relationship with God. Through engaging curriculum and community living, you'll discover His character, experience His love, and learn to share it with others. Over eleven weeks, you'll encounter God's heart in a new way each week with a different teacher and topic. Children engage in age-appropriate sessions, discovering their role in God's mission and developing a closer relationship with Him. Shared worship, family time, and intercessory prayer create a dynamic environment for a family’s spiritual development.
Outreach and debriefing
June 21 — Aug 22, 2025
The FDTS at Rancho Abierto emphasizes hands-on missions experience. After the lecture phase, you'll embark on an outreach designed to help every family member discover their gifts and serve others. This practical application is crucial for completing the program and equips you to share your faith effectively.
The debriefing week is a vital part of the Family DTS, providing space for reflection, integration, and planning. We encourage families to process their outreach experiences, connect them to the teachings, and consider how to continue living missionally long after graduation.
SCHEDULE
Our school schedule is Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 3 PM, for all students - adults and children. Each day from 3 to 5 PM, one parent will be scheduled for “Work Duty” - a time to work, serve and help around the base. The other parent then will be available for the kids. After 3:00 pm is a good time for parents to help kids with home-schooling. Every Wednesday evening, there is an all-base campfire, which will be a time of worship and teaching/devotions for the whole family. Other than that, the evenings are free. There is not a schedule for the weekends… other than mealtimes. However, we do try to plan a monthly trip to the beach… or some other fun outing. Families are free to rest or explore during the weekends. There are stores and beaches about an hour away. The stores include Costco, Walmart, Home Depot… there's pizza and ice cream… and of course … TACOS! There are ranch vehicles that can be borrowed, depending on availability, for trips into town during the weekends. We have big vans where families can carpool. Families are asked to cover their own gas when using the Ranch vehicles for their personal excursions. On Sundays, there are different Spanish speaking or bi-lingual churches you may attend if you'd like. We understand that the DTS can be very tiring and draining at times, so we want you to do whatever brings rest to your individual family during the weekends.
Tuition FEES
We have structured our tuition fees in such a way as to allow families from all different nations an opportunity to attend. Please click the link and find your nation of origin in categories (A,B,C ) to find pricing for the lecture phase. The price of the eight-week outreach phase can range from $3,500 to $4,500 per adult, depending on the location. Outreach costs for children are slightly lower due to reduced expenses for accommodations and meals.