PUBLIC SCHOOL MINISTRIES

Panama has always been receptive to the gospel and in the past we have done evangelism in many public schools but recently due to the former First Lady of Panama, a law has been passed opening up all of the public schools for evangelism and discipleship. They have asked the local churches along with YWAM, PAAM, Campus Crusades for Christ and Inter Varsity to be involved in this challenge. All of us working together to reach the thousands of schools in Panama for Jesus. It is incredible to think of a government opening up the department of education to be given an open and clear gospel message. It's not only evangelism. They have also asked us to disciple the young people by holding small groups in the schools. This is unheard of!

Though there are many organizations working together in this, we are still short staffed. Perhaps you can rise to the occasion of this incredible and unprecedented ministry opportunity. If we can reach this generation in the schools, then we will be affecting all of Panama for years to come! This could bring great transformation to this country!

ORPHANAGE MINISTRIES

YWAM Panama has an impressive history working with orphanages. In the past we have worked with more than 25 orphanages at the same time. Orphans of all ages, most with abusive pasts, some with AIDS and other illnesses but all with a deep need to be loved. What greater love can be offered than the love of God? We heed the Biblical call of James 1:27 where it says that pure and faultless religion is helping the orphans in their distress. This ministry could continue to flourish and thrive but we again are short staffed. We need people who have the heart to extend the Father’s heart to these young ones. This ministry is so needed and has eternal results.

MINISTRY TO THE DISABLED

Recently the government of Panama has given us access to all of their seminars for people with physical and emotional challenges. We are free to present the gospel to people with all kinds of disabilities. Freedom to counsel, to pray for, and more importantly to speak of what humanities greatest handicap is: The handicap of not having Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. These people may be challenged physically in one facet yet they are so gifted in so many other ways. For example a few months ago we did some ministry amongst the deaf and mute. We found that they were incredibly expressive and dramatic. We taught them some dramas and soon realized that we were watching some of the most well done mimed performances that we had ever seen. This was greatly encouraging to us and them. However we can also minister and work with even more challenged yet gifted people. People that are blind, have downs syndrome, people on wheel chairs and many other types of challenges. All with a desire to overcome. With Jesus they can overcome! Physically and spiritually!

This is another huge open door where we can make a big difference in Panama by showing that God loves all people and that He can take all things that the world labels as "foolish" to stumble the wise.

CREATIVE ARTS

The arts are among the greatest influences of any culture. Where there is man, there is culture and there is creativity and art. Without a doubt, man’s desire to create is a natural response of being created in the image of God-the Creator. In the beginning God gave the mandate to Adam and Eve to subdue the earth as creative stewards, and indeed, since that time, whether for better or worse, man has designed his dwellings, cities and nations with creative pursuits.

Here in Panama we are finding so many open doors to redeem and utilize the arts to influence Panama and the nations. Open doors in theatre, dance, drama, fine arts and music. There are opportunities to do art festivals, workshops and arts training not only on base but off base in local churches, universities and public arenas.

We are in need of a full time arts coordinator who is passionate about expressing God's creative juices for His glory. Who can instill this passion in others, teaching them to worship God through their gifts and talents as well.

KINGS KIDS

King's Kids is called to lead children, youth and families worldwide into an active role in the Kingdom of God, bring Him joy and together make Him known to all peoples.

King's Kids is a worldwide ministry of Youth With A Mission committed to giving children and teens of all nations the opportunity to be established in a proven knowledge of God.

A variety of training programs, mercy ministries, and outreach efforts are offered to assist young people in helping to fulfill the Great Commission. Outreach teams communicate and serve through performing arts, practical service, and sports activities. The King's Kids ministry capitalizes on the vitality and enthusiasm of youth, a willingness to serve, and the beauty of people of many races and tongues joined together in unity.

The basic structure through which King's Kids ministers consist of discipleship teams consisting of 15-35 young people who serve, worship and study together. Each team has approximately one adult leader for every two team members. King's Kids teams have performed before orphans and dignitaries, on the streets and on television, in small Sunday school classes and in large rallies--wherever God opens the doors.

Here at YWAM Panama we have great potential to run with this ministry due to the many children on our base and the countless off base. In the past we have run many King's Kids camps and outreaches. At the moment we are in need of full time King's Kids staff who have a heart to see children and teens rise up, tapping into the potential they have to be a witness to the nations. Perhaps God is asking you to raise up this generation through King's Kids?

INDIGENOUS OUTREACHES

Panama has an amazing openness to ministry with native indigenous peoples. They live in remote jungle and mountain villages, many only accessible by foot or boat. Because of their isolation, many indigenous peoples lack good education, health care, and many of the churches lack sound Biblical training.

YWAM Panama has had a long history of outreach to these people groups. We have taken multiple teams from the US, Canada, and other countries into these remote areas to do medical outreaches, build churches, and share the Gospel.
Lives have been saved, bodies healed, and souls brought into the Kingdom.
We also partner with mission agencies and ministries who work long term among these peoples so that follow up work is done after our team is gone.

If you are someone with experience or interest in community development, there are many opportunities to work among the 7 indigenous peoples of Panama. Also, if you would like to bring a team from your church to come down and minister in one of these villages, we would love to host you.

CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES

In Panama, 86% of children are born out of wedlock. Most are raised by single mothers, abusive parents, or relatives. These kids are Panama's future. YWAM Panama has several different ministry works that focus on children.

Several people from the base go to a community called Nuevo Mexico and do a kids program. They use puppets, mimes, clowns, dramas, and games with the kids; sharing the love of Jesus and gaining favor to speak into the lives of their parents.

There are many opportunities to work with children here in Panama, and if God has placed that on your heart, we invite you to consider joining our team.

YWAM BOCAS DEL TORO

YWAM Bocas Del Toro is a new ministry headed up by Dale and Kim Kapsar. They are located in the beautiful Caribbean Island in province of Bocas Del Toro. They are located right on the beach on Bastimentos Island amid resorts, Afro-Caribbean towns, and indigenous villages of the Ngobe people group. The only access to this island base is by boat. Their vision is to build a base that others can come to and grow in the Lord Jesus.

They have a desire to host groups of all kinds that can experience the rain forest and coral reef, while ministering to the indigenous people all around, as well as the many cultures represented in Bocas.

They're currently teaching English to neighboring indigenous, and hosting a pastor and his wife for weekly bible study and worship with them.

If you have done a DTS and are interested in coming on board to make this new ministry explode please let us know and further information will be forwarded to you.

SUPPORT MINISTRIES

Support ministries deal directly with managing and caring for the daily needs that need to be met in order to maintain the base property and staff. Though these are daily tasks and should be a focus for anyone directly administrating any of these areas, it does not have to be an exclusive or singular responsibility. It is possible and highly recommended to be involved with any of the above mentioned internal or external ministries while managing a support ministry.

The Bible says that we are one body with many parts. Can a body function if it is not fed, given rest or cleaned? We are looking for people who have the missionary call and vision to care and maintain the body of Christ on a daily basis.

The following are the areas of need that we have in Support Ministries:

KITCHEN MANAGEMENT

Believe it or not the kitchen could be one of the most vital ministries on our base in terms of keeping up the overall morale of the base. Everyone loves to eat and if this experience can be enjoyable it will bring a smile to most people's faces which in turn will effect all of the ministries positively.

We are in need of diligent kitchen staff that will take this responsibility to heart. Who can maintain the kitchen, offer good culinary service for large groups of people while seeing the big picture of missions in YWAM Panama.

If you are interested in being involved in this ministry please let us know and further information will be forwarded to you.

OFFICE ADMINISTRATION

The office administration is another very important facet of our base because they are indirectly involved in every department and ministry on base. Aside from keeping order and cleanliness in the office they also receive and forward all phone calls, faxes and visitors to the designated staff. They will in many cases be the first representative or impression of YWAM Panama. General secretary work, typing, posting and creating documents, schedules and work duties is another responsibility of the office administrator.

We are in need of a full time (bilingual) office administrator who can be hospitable, polite and organized to offer the best service as possible to anyone who is in communication with our base and ministries.

If you are interested in being involved in this ministry please let us know and further information will be forwarded to you.

COMPUTER AND WEBSITE MAINTENANCE

We live in a computer and internet based day and age. The many e-mails, documents, and files that we have stored in our computers give us sufficient reason to want to maintain our computer hardware and software in good, decent working condition. We also have our YWAM Panama website which needs to be consistently updated and relevant. On top of this we have many brochures, posters and other forms of advertising and promoting that need to be made.

We are in need of a full time Computer and Website Manager who knows computers, is creative and task oriented.

If you are interested in being involved in this ministry please let us know and further information will be forwarded to you.

HOUSEKEEPING MANAGEMENT

On a large property like this, full of people coming in and out utilizing the facilities, it takes a very assertive and committed house cleaning manager. Aside from cleaning and maintaining the cleanliness of the base the Housekeeping Manager must keep people accountable to maintain their living and work areas clean in a mature and Christ-like manner.

We are in need of someone who can oversee the general housecleaning of the base on a daily basis while implementing a sanitary environment and administrating the various tasks within this department.

If you are interested in being involved in this ministry please let us know and further information will be forwarded to you.

GENERAL MAINTENANCE

Many buildings, facilities and equipment combined with the constant use of such by the many people who go to and through our base gives rise to the need of a good general maintenance manager. Electrical work, plumbing, painting, equipment management and coordinating projects on the base are but a few of the responsibilities that a general maintenance manager is in charge of.

We are in need of a diligent, hard working person who enjoys fixing things and can maintain the base in good working condition.

If you are interested in being involved in this ministry please let us know and further information will be forwarded to you.

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE

We have many base vehicles and a bus that we utilize on a regular if not daily basis. As you can imagine keeping the vehicles in clean, working condition will take a consistent maintenance.

We are in need of someone who knows cars, mechanics, and can drive and maintain our base vehicles keeping them in proper condition.

If you are interested in being involved in this ministry please let us know and further information will be forwarded to you.

GARDEN AND LAWN MAINTENANCE

We have a large property surrounded by a lush tropical rain forest, grassy hills and all kinds of nooks and cranny's ideal for flower gardens, vegetable gardens, and nature trails. However because of the size of this property, the extreme climate patterns, and some tropical pests, the garden and lawn maintenance is another full time job that needs to be a focus on a daily basis.

We want this property to be developed to it's full capacity in this area and to be a haven of botanic beauty and nature. We want this base to reflect the creativity of God, and to care for what we have been entrusted with in turn.

We are in need of a full time gardener who is creative to see the full potential of the property, implementing that creativity while also maintaining the grounds on a daily basis.

If you are interested in being involved in this ministry please let us know and further information will be forwarded to you.

HOSPITALITY COORDINATOR

On a regular basis we have people coming to and through our base for multiple reasons (DTS, SALT and SGC teachers, Mission Adventures Teams, New DTS students and passing guests). It is our desire to show the upmost hospitality and make each person that comes on base feel welcome, cared for and at home.

The scriptures are full of scenarios and examples of being hospitable. In Romans 12, we are encouraged to practice the gift of hospitality. The apostle Paul was dependent on the ministry of hospitality as he traveled as we read in Romans 15:32: "...... so that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company."

Because this is not a typical home but a large community of people it takes a special team of people to make those serving with us feel at home and welcome. We are not simply in need of a hospitality coordinator but in someone whose openness and generosity nurtures the spirits and bodies of all who visit the base. This is done through practical ways such as making welcome cards, care baskets, washing and folding the linen, cleaning and setting up the bedrooms, and relationally in how we address and care for the guests.

If you are interested in being involved in this ministry please let us know and further information will be forwarded to you.

WORSHIP COORDINATOR

Worship and Intercessory worship are an integral part of YWAM International. We at YWAM Panama affirm that worship is a lifestyle and more than just singing songs. It happens more than just two mornings a week, it happens in how we live our lives and how we love one another. The worship leader should be the lead-worshipper in this aspect.
As we are in Latin America, the heart language of the Panamanians is Spanish. We seek to honor the culture in which we live by singing most of our songs in Spanish with little exception.
The worship coordinator is responsible for much more than just playing an instrument or leading songs. Their jobs include:

1. Coordinating who will lead worship at the designated times.
   
2. Having planned practices with the musicians ahead of time, not just before the cooperate worship begins.
   
3. Being constantly searching for dynamic new songs in Spanish.
   
4. Making sure all the instruments are tuned and in working order.
   
5. Making sure the sound equipment is clean, neat, and in working order (cables, mics, etc…)
   

We are in need of a full time worship coordinator who can lead bilingually. This job is a full time job but it does not take up all of the coordinators time. This leaves great opportunity to be involved in many other ministries.

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