Help Shape the Future of Missionaries
A highly interactive and practical course,
specially designed for leaders, member care workers, and anyone interested in walking alongside and strengthening missionaries. This course will equip you with key tools, biblical perspectives, and effective strategies to provide holistic support to those serving in the mission field—from preparation to return. It will empower you to journey with others through every stage of their missionary life, promoting emotional, spiritual, and relational health.
This course will equip you to:
- Help missionaries flourish personally and in their ministry.
- Build their resilience to face stress, crisis, andchallenges head-on to stay healthy.
- Empower them to overcome burnout and staycommitted to their calling.
- Support them in becoming all God created them to be.
- Guide them theough smooth transitions; starting strong, staying steady, and finishing well.
Key topics and skills covered in the course:
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The seven essential support systems for missionaries
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The missionary life cycle: from entering the field, through transitions, to the closure of a season
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Holistic missionary well-being (emotional, spiritual, relational, and physical)
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Practical active listening skills
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Effective debriefing processes
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Managing stress and cross-cultural stress
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Conflict resolution and peacebuilding
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Developing healthy structures and policies for missionary care
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Walking alongside others through pain, loss, and grief
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Understanding and responding to depression and suicidal thoughts
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Risk assessment and contingency planning
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Specific care for missionary families, Third Culture Kids (TCKs), and singles in missions
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Principles and tools for raising spiritual, emotional, and financial support
"As a base leader, I found that the teachings from Member Care on culture shock, stress management, and conflict resolution have truly helped my staff listen to one another, be more considerate, and encouraged us to pray more."
– Nilivette,
Base Leader
YWAM Boquete, Panama
Prerequisites for this school:
This school is bilingual - English and Spanish.
For prices and more information, please contact us at:
ywammembercareca@gmail.com
Upcoming Schools
2025
September 1–20
Cost
$750 USD
Want more information? Fill out the form below!
FAQ's and Resources
Have other questions? Email us at schools@ywammazatlan.com
How fluent do I need to be in Spanish or English?
We are a completely bilingual campus! Meaning, speaking only Spanish or English will be more than enough. If neither Spanish nor English is your first language, you just need to comprehend and/or speak one. That being said, we’ve had students in the past that weren’t fluent in either of our languages, and they’ve been willing, amazing people that brought amazing life and culture to our base family. Pray about it! We don't want to hold you back if you're called here.
How far away will I be from everything?
Our YWAM campus is located within walking distance to lots of ‘Tiendas’ (little shops), restaurants, yummy tacos, scenic spots, and coffee shops, as well as some great beaches. Wal-Mart and other grocery stores, the Golden Zone (tourist area), excellent restaurants, movie theatres, and a shopping mall are either a short taxi/uber ride or bus ride away.
What are the eating/cooking arrangements?
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided and all meals are eaten together on our outdoor patio, which looks out over the ocean! Our campus has a kitchen run by our staff and students. We do our best to accommodate all health restrictions (gluten-free, dairy-free), but know that there might be times where we are unable to. There is a fridge for students to use and store personal food in.
Is there a dress code on the base?
For girls – there are no short shorts or skirts, no crop tops. When it comes to swimming, we require swim shorts, and a one piece/tank top.
For guys – Please no speedos. Please don’t have your boxers showing or be shirtless unless swimming.
This will all be covered more in-depth in your welcome pack, after applying!
How much luggage can I bring?
Your airline will determine how much/what kind of luggage you can bring; however while on outreach you will be limited to one pack/suitcase. So pack accordingly. Large hiking/trekking backpacks are ideal for Outreach, but you can get along with a duffel or suitcase if you can't get your hands on a backpack. We totally recommend having a hiking pack if possible. Your accommodations during the Lecture Phase will be limited in personal storage space, so keep that in mind! Everything you bring on to DTS will need to be taken with you on outreach. We have no extra storage space on our campus.
What kind of clothes should I bring?
You’ll need a set of good clothes for local church and ministry, casual clothes for lectures/leisure. We tend to be pretty casual at the campus, but churches here tend to dress up more. Also, depending on where you go on outreach, girls may need longer skirts and long sleeve shirts for working in remote communities. That can be purchased here if needed. And don’t forget some dress clothes for your graduation!!
*Because of the humidity here, clothes can occasionally get stretched out. Keep this in mind when you’re packing your favorite things (but don’t pack like your going to the wilderness either! We still enjoy wearing nice, stylish clothes as much as anyone!
Here's a blog to help!
How do I raise money for my DTS/Secondary School?
There are several different ways to raise money for YWAM Mazatlan schools and outreaches. How you decide to raise your money really depends on your motivation, creativity and willingness to work hard. There is no one right way to raise the money, but to help you along, listed below are some suggestions and ideas that have worked for us. Remember that everything starts and end with prayer.Trust that if God is giving the heart to attend a school with YWAM Mazatlan, He will also give you the tools, favor, and strength to do it. Our biggest recommendation is to start right away! Fundraising is much better and easier when you're at home, than when you are here.
Suggested Reading on Raising Support:
Friendraising: Building a Support Team That Lasts by Betty Barnett
Funding Your Ministry: Whether You’re Gifted or Not by Scott Morton
People Raising: A Practical Guide to Raising Support by Bill Dillon
What is the weather like in Mazatlan?
May through to September are the hot, humid months. You can expect to be sweaty and sticky some of the time you're outside! October and November are a bit more temperate, but you’ll still be wearing summer clothes. Then December through March are the cooler months where you can throw on a light jacket or hoodie at night.
In regards to the hot months- do not worry! There is an AC unit in each bedroom and classroom, and we are blessed to have that during the summer!
How do I pay for my school?
Is there phone or internet access?
How much spending money will I need?
What’s supplied in my room?
How should I bring my spending money?
What about laundry?
Is it safe?
Mexico in the media has been pinned as a dangerous place, but put all those “I’ve heard’s…” to rest. Our city is a beautiful city to live in. The people are warm and friendly and willing to try out their English. Our beaches are generally safe for swimming and surfing. We will help get you acquainted to the city, the beaches and the Mexican culture.
Yes, like all countries, there is brokenness, hurting people, and corruption in Mexico. God has called us to be bearers of light and hope, to be a part of Him redeeming Mexico, one story and family at a time. Our campus is located in a perfect spot where we can reach places that God has called us to go to, but also host students from all over the world and have an incredible place to do that without jeopardizing safety.
We live in a middle-class neighborhood located directly on the boardwalk of the city, which is one of many places that are safe. Just like any other city in the world, there is wisdom to how we live here, and that doesn't change wherever you are. Our campus is a closed-to-the-public building, and only students and staff live there!
Because of our community-style culture, we're always doing things together. Ministry, going out for tacos at night, walks to coffee shops. We have set curfews at night, and a security guard that takes care of our campus at night.
