Mazatlan Carnaval Outreach

Marking the onset of Lent, a major religious event, Carnaval is Mazatlan's annual celebration of Mardi Gras. Said to be the third largest in the world, Carnaval is Mazatlan's most attended citywide event. Each year over 400,000 people bombard the city ready to party with the masses. With a mandate to 'transform Mazatlan one party at a time', YWAM Mazatlan, together with teams from around the world, Mexico, and the local church, plunge head first into the 6 day festival. The ministry is broad and focused on children, youth, and adults. Performing arts, skate and graffiti competitions, free coffee and hair cuts, are just a few ways YWAM Mazatlan demonstrates the love of God to this major party.

Carnaval for YWAM Mazatlan is evangelism to the extreme. The tactics are honed weeks before as YWAM Mazatlan gathers corporately to wait on God, listening intently for His strategy and insight into the chaotic event. With a plan in mind and a 24/7prayer house in place, the spiritual battle for the city begins. The God-inspired ideas take shape through the various Carnaval ministries targeted to reach out to partygoers of every age.

Outreach activities include clowns, balloon art, dramas and dance to entertain and share the simplicity of Jesus Christ to the very young and young at heart. Youth of the city find an outlet that allows them the freedom to express themselves through skateboarding and graffiti art while daily seeing God's love demonstrated. The smell of fresh coffee, cakes and pastries draws in the passers-by as the open-air café provides a haven of relaxation and a quiet moment to hear about the love of God. The line-up is long as hoards of eager girls wait their turn to enter the "beauty salon" where professional hairdressers provide a labor of love long into the night. The hard-core party-goers are challenged inside the heart of the Carnaval zone as our evangelism 'swat' teams go in full force, armed, protected and covered by the prayers of the passionate 24/7 intercession team.

Contact us about getting involved in our next Carnaval Outreach at programs@ywammazatlan.com