In August of 2005 YWAM Iquitos opened its doors under the directorship of Clark and Beth Barnard. Along with their team of co-laborers, they have a long-term commitment to help develop YWAM’s objectives in Peru to increase and strengthen the body of Christ in her role in the Great Commission.
Where in the world are we?
YWAM Iquitos is located in the Amazon jungle of northeastern Perú. Launched from YWAM Colombia, this is the only fully established YWAM base in the country. Iquitos is only accessible by boat or plane, and it is a close neighbor with Ecuador, Colombia, and Brazil. This city of 700,000 is in the center of the largest department of the country, Loreto (368,852 km2), which is also the least densely populated department of Perú.
Ministry facility:
In May 2006, YWAM Iquitos made its final payment on a 10,000 ft2 (1,000 m2) ministry facility, located on Avenida Guardia Civil, across from a Peruvian military base. By “motorcycle taxi” it is about 8 minutes from downtown, 13 minutes from the river port, and 18 minutes from the airport.
The three-story building presently has twelve bedrooms (two of which are large dorms), ten bathrooms, three efficiency apartments, two large meeting rooms, two kitchens, dining room, garden, large patio, carport, and picnic pavilion, and is capable of comfortably housing approximately 50 people.
Construction projects began in 2005. The first tasks were digging a well and installing a security system. The biggest projects so far have been the construction of the men’s dorm and large bath, three efficiency apartments, and staff rooms. This facility currently houses the YWAM Iquitos staff and offices, the Discipleship Training School, the Christian Academy of Performing Arts of Iquitos, Hephzibah women's ministry, Kids for Christ, and also serves as the base of operations for all the other YWAM Iquitos ministries.
Statement of Purpose:
YWAM Iquitos believes that there is great potential in each local Peruvian church to reach their own city for Christ, as well as to commission and send out missionaries to the unreached people groups in the nation of Peru and beyond. To this end we work with the body of Christ to plant churches, train pastors, construct church buildings, equip missionary candidates for full-time service, and operate discipleship and creative arts programs for children and teens.
