Ministries
Ministries of YWAM Antigua
At YWAM Antigua, we have several ministries that we participate in on a weekly or monthly basis. A summary of each of these ministries can be found below:
English Worship Service
Since January of 2000, a worship service in English has been conducted during the week in Antigua. Currently we meet on Monday nights at 7 p.m. at Iglesia del Camino, 6ta Avenida Norte in Antigua, for a time of praise, a message and a time of fellowship. It is a great opportunity to meet other believers who have come to Antigua for a variety of reason but share the common bond of having Christ as their Savior. Groups who come to minister with us have the option of participating in the service through music, dramas, testimonies and preaching.
Seminars
YWAM Antigua has conducted several seminars on a variety of topics such as: marriage, relationships, prayer, evangelism, missions, discipleship, finances for missionaries, and ministry to children. Groups that come prepared to minister on a specific topics of interest to pastors, leaders and missionaries are always needed.
Homeless Ministry
We are providing food to the homeless one night per week. Groups may participate in this ministry by helping prepare the food or helping to serve it to the people. We spend time talking and praying with the people we serve. We have also been conducting a Sunday night worship service by the market area for the people which involves worship, teaching, prayer and conversation time with the people.
Children’s Ministry:Kid's Club
We place special emphasis on ministering to children whether at our base on in another community. There are many opporutnities to conduct children's ministry and we encourage groups who are coming to Guatemala to come prepared with a program that can include any of the following: drama, worship, puppets, Bible story, craft, and a snack. The base has puppets, Spanish kids music, a large felt set to teach stories in the Bible, a sound system, and some craft supplies. We encourage groups to join us in our weekly Kid's Club or do their own VBS for 3 or more days.
Street Ministry
Antigua is a great place to conduct street ministry in the market area or other areas around town. We have used music, drama, testimonies, preaching and handing out tracts to present the gospel to people from many different countries. Songs could be done in Spanish or English. We have a portable sound system that can be used for this. However, you will need to provide your own Spanish tracts. You may also want some English tracts as there are always English speaking people around the city.
Soul Patrol Evangelism
Soul Patrol is an evangelistic ministry that takes place in Antigua on Saturday nights. We spend time in prayer and then go to the streets and parks to talk to people about Jesus. Antigua is an international city which gives opportunity to share your faith with people from many countries. We pass out tracts, engage people in conversation and pray for people with needs.
Family Nights at the Base
One of our community outreaches that has been very successful is showing Christian movies at the YWAM Base. We have had over 100 people attend the movies and always take advantage of the opportunity to share the gospel message with those who attend. At the end of the movie we provide popcorn and a beverage to the attendees. If your group has access to Christian movies in Spanish that are legal to show to groups please bring them with you.
School Programs
Many of the public school are open to having groups make presentation to the students. We usually present profamily and antidrug information through dramas, puppets, testimonies and music. Programs vary in length form 30 minutes to one hour.
Construction Projects
We have hosted many groups who have dedicated part or all of their outreach time to construction projects. There are many families living in inadequate housing and would truly appreciate a new home that will be a healthier living environment for them. We work with local pastors in communities to identify families in need of a new home. It is a great opportunity to build relationships with the family members and be a testimony to the community of God's love being expressed in tangible ways. A typical home made of cement blocks can be constructed for under $2000.
The following ministry opportunities are available to groups but special arrangements are needed. We do not conduct these ministries on a regular basis but can help make arrangements for groups that would like to minister in these areas.
Nursing Home Ministry
We can arrange to do ministry in two different nursing homes. Most of the residents do not have family to care for them and they truly appreciate visitation by individuals and groups. Ministry there could include: music, drama, reading the Bible to them, praying with them, and volunteering where help is needed.
ESL Classes
Reaching people by offering English classes is a great way to develop relationships and share the gospel. Many of the Guatemalan youth as well as adults have a strong desire to learn English but are often limited by finances to be able to take classes that may be offered at some to the schools. We have had a very good response from the community when we have offered English classes at the base. If you have qualified people in your group who want to do ESL classes for a week or two please let us know in advance and we can do promotional activities for the classes.
Hermano Pedro Orphanage/Hospital
Hermano Pedro is an orphanage/hospital for malnourished babies and severely handicapped children and adults. Most of the residents spend their lives at the orphanage as their families are not able to provide proper care for them. The hospital will only work with groups that will commit to a 2 week period of time of daily ministry so unless your group plans to be here for a longer period of time this ministry would not be available. Groups are able to minister to them by assisting with feeding, playing with them in the courtyard, and just spending time with them. Some of the older residents are able to to art and craft projects and they enjoy singing and watching puppet shows. It may also be possible to take the residents out to eat, but this takes special permission.
Jackson House Malnutrition Center
This is a home for young children who are severely malnourished. Through special arrangements with the God's Child organization, volunteers can help with feeding and interacting with the children.
