Youth With A Mission Mazatlan, often called YWAM Mazatlan, is located in the historic heart of the city and is ideally situated and convenient to reach. In 2004, a small pioneering team from YWAM Australia, led by Brent and Heather Madsen, worked to re-establish the missions center with a fresh vision to serve Mazatlan, Mexico, and beyond. Although YWAM Mazatlan was closed for a few years prior to 2004, God blessed the efforts of the small pioneering team and the base came to life again.
Mazatlan is set on the Pacific Coast of Mexico almost directly across from the tip of the Baja Peninsula and is one of Mexico’s most popular vacation destinations. Given its history as a fishing village long before it became a beach resort, Mazatlan is the ideal place to visit for those interested in relaxation rather than the fast pace of some of its neighbors along the coast. The city has a rich history and culture all on its own and expressions of these can be seen throughout the year in a variety of festivals and cultural exhibits. Mazatlan is home to more than a half million residents and is a beautiful location for everyone to enjoy.
From its humble beginnings, YWAM Mazatlan has grown tremendously because of their strong vision and dedication. By adding programs and ministries that have touched the lives of the local community and beyond, YWAM Mazatlan has become an integral part of what God is doing in Mexico.
We are an international Christian missions center dedicated to providing young people from all over the world opportunities to serve Mazatlan, Mexico, and the nations. Our training schools and mercy and outreach programs provide short and long term experiences that transform the hearts and minds of individuals and communities. We model a lifestyle that inspires and challenges the generations to realize and fulfill their purpose through hearing and knowing God.
Our Vision
Engage young people through missions, training, and discipleship.
We've got big dreams to establish a vibrant missions training campus with up to 5000 students a year. This campus will train students in a multitude of programs and courses, equipping them to use their individual callings to bring the Good News across the globe.
Transform lives through the living reality of Jesus Christ.
From bringing medical care to unreached areas of Mexico, building a new home for a local family, and joining us for one of the world's biggest parties, we've got many missions trips geared to get you plugged into the mission field.
Mobilize missionaries out into Mexico and the nations.
We're focused on providing opportunities for those interested in long-term missions. Come get trained and sent out! We've got a 110 City Vision – our goal is to establish YWAM locations in 110 cities in Mexico, as well as continue to take young people into the nations to be part of the global mission movement.
Our Values
Community
The principle – “all believers were together, and they shared everything with one another.” Acts 2:44
We choose not only to work together but to be in intentional community with one another. We eat, socialize, and play together as a family. We are gathered together from nations around the globe to be united as one in Christ.
Beauty and Excellence
The principle – Everything God has created is beautiful.
When God created the earth and all life within it, He did so with diversity, beauty, and excellence. In everything we do we desire to do it with excellence as unto the Lord and to take extra care to present things that exemplify the beauty of God.
Hospitality
The principle – “An overseer must be hospitable, loving what is good..” Titus 1:8
God calls us to love our neighbor as ourselves, and there's no better way we love expressing that than through the gift of hospitality. As sons and daughters, we're called to share His Kingdom through loving one another. As we say here "Mi casa es tu casa" - my house is your house. So welcome!
Fear of the Lord
The principle – "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Prov. 1:7
We believe wisdom should guide everything we do. Our deep love for God is reflected in our daily choices, decisions, and lives. We believe in choosing to follow Him in all the little things because, in that, we grow in wisdom.
Worship
The principle – “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." Psalms 100:4
We are passionate about worship. We will do whatever it takes to enter in: jump, shout, scream, or whisper. Hearing God’s voice in worship is the key, not following some religious ceremony. We choose to worship always and in everything we do.
Intercession
The principle – “Pray in the Spirit in every situation. Use every kind of prayer and request there is.” Eph. 6:18
We believe in stepping in the gap for others. It starts with us hearing God and getting His heart for something. We yield ourselves to Him, always remembering not only to ask him what to pray for but also how to pray; that prayer is not a task but an intimate conversation between God and us.
Releasing Young People
The principle – “Don’t let anyone look down on you for being young. Instead, make your speech, behavior, love, faith, and purity an example for other believers.” 1 Tim. 4: 12
YWAM International is all about releasing young people and seeing them take risks for God. Our mission is to believe in, trust, encourage, inspire and release young people into everything God has for them.
Evangelism
The principle – The ‘Great Commission’. Jesus told us to do, so we’d better “DO IT”!
This is what we love to do: tell people about Jesus! We recognize that we have to get out there, out with the people but also ‘out there’ with our style of evangelism. We cannot afford to get stuck in old methods. That is why we will always look for something new and fresh, something that will reach each generation.
Being International
The principle – Jesus mixed with people from all different cultures and races; and every nation, tribe, and tongue will proclaim the Glory of God.
We value people and the cultures they come from. We are called to be an international base, that’s why you’ll find people here from all across the globe! God has given each nation its own unique gifting and we want to create a place where the gifts of each nation can be represented.
A Fighting Spirit
The principle –“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?” Rom 8:31
We don’t have a passive, can’t be done attitude. NO. Our spirits are ready to fight any battle – emotional, physical or spiritual. We are known as a tribe of fighters!
Servant Heart / Life of Faith
The principle – “You are chosen people, a royal priesthood… people who belong to God. You were chosen to tell about the excellent qualities of God…” 1 Peter 2:9
As YWAMers, we have a call similar to that of the Levites. That is, our portion comes from all the other tribes in the land (living by faith or support). Our call is to serve the Lord and others, and continually say yes to the things God has called of us.
Honoring
The principle– ‘Follow the LORD and honor; obey Him and keep His commands; worship Him to be faithful to Him.’ Deuteronomy 13:4
We honor God and one another. Honoring God is not hard, as we love Him and His ways. Honoring others can be challenging at times but we choose to do it. We know it brings freedom and life to them, and also to ourselves.
Generosity
The principle – “Give, and you will receive. A large quantity, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your pocket. The standards you use for others will be applied to you.” Luke 6:38
In all areas, we desire to break the poverty mentality as missionaries here in Mexico. God is generous towards His kids and we aim to model this. We are generous in our giving, our time with others, and in sharing the things that we have.