Our team.
Jose & Adriana Curiel, Founders/Directors
Jose is originally from Jalisco, Mexico. He did his DTS in 1982 in Arkansas, USA and now has over 40 years as a YWAMer. He was the first Mexican to become a YWAMer. Adriana is originally from Nicaragua and did her DTS 1985 in Arkansas, USA and has over 37 years as a YWAMer. They founded the base here in 1999 with their two children. As the Directors they serve in many different areas of the base. They teach in DTS all over Mexico, cast vision for the future, handle logistics, host teams and retreats, shepherd and encourage the staff, church plant and serve as vice president of the religious interalliance.
Nicole Curiel, Staff/Lights To The Nations School Director
Nicole was born in the US but has lived most of her life in Mexico. She did her DTS in 2012 in Le-Gault La Forest Francia. She has done the School of the Bible, a year long Teacher’s for the Nations training course, translates, teaches in DTS and Teacher for the Nations school, and was a teacher for 7 years at a Christain school and now has founded the Light to the Nations school. She is a single mom to her son, Ezequiel.
JD Curiel, Staff
JD was born in the US and has been involved in missions his whole life. He did his DTS in 2014 here at the YWAM Guadalajara Campus. He is our resident jack-of-all trades and helps in many areas on campus. He is a huge blessing to all the ministries he touches.
Gawalek Family, Staff
The Gawalek family are originally from Guadalajara. Richard, Gaby, Ximena and Matías have all been involved with YWAM Guadalajara for about 10 years but just recently did their DTS and decided to join the team permanently. They are the pastors at our local church plant in Chalpicote. Gaby is in charge of our hospitality department as well as the 4th grade teacher in our Light to the Nations school. Richard is head of grounds and vehicle maintenance as well as all the miscellaneous things that need to be done around the base. Their children, Ximena and Matías, are also a huge blessing helping with whatever is necessary. Ximena also participates in running our on-campus coffee shop. They are both students in our Light to the Nations school.
Cano Family, Long term Volunteers
The Cano family are originally from Guadalajara. Javier, Arcelia, Naomi, Sharon, Viky and David have been a pastor family in Guadalajara and have had seminar training in different parts of Mexico. They recently decided to do their DTS and join the team. Javier helps with building maintenance and Arcelia heads up our kitchen. They are both teachers at our Light to the Nations school. Javier as the Middle school math teacher and Arcelia as our 2-3rd grade teacher. Their older daughters, Naomi and Sharon, participate in running our on-campus coffee shop as well as numerous other things on base. All their children are enrolled in our Light to the Nations school. As a family, they will be pastoring a church in Nicolas de Ibarra.