About Us

Sean Lambert joined Youth with a Mission in 1979, completing his Discipleship Training School and School of Evangelism at the Los Angeles Center. Sean served at the Los Angeles Center until 1991 in various capacities, including running the print shop, directing Discipleship Training Schools and launching the Short-Term outreach department. In 1990 Sean organized and led a team from the Los Angeles center to build YWAM'S first home for the poor in Tijuana and in 1991 the Lamberts moved to San Diego to start the present day YWAM San Diego/Baja ministries. The Mission Adventures International ministry was formally launched in 1997.
sean.lambert@ywamsdbaja.org

Janet Lambert joined Youth with a Mission in 1976 completing her Discipleship Training School and School of Evangelism. She served with the first Bibles for Mexico team in the hills surrounding Tijuana, camping on the very property that YWAM San Diego/Baja would later purchase 25 years later. From 1979 to 1991 she served at the Los Angeles Center in various roles, as Joy Dawson's secretary, co-leading DTS schools with Sean, and helping to establish the short-term missions department. Their three daughters were born while in L.A. (Rachel - 20, Andrea -17, and Tiffany -13) and in 1991 the Lamberts moved to San Diego to begin YWAM San Diego/Baja.
janet.lambert@ywamsdbaja.org

Brett Curtis joined Mercy Ships in 1983 completing a Discipleship Training School on board the m/v Anastasis. He and his wife Karen joined DTS staff, eventually becoming directors of the training schools. An ordained minister, Brett accepted the position of CEO on the m/v Good Samaritan in 1992 and was appointed founding CEO of the m/v Caribbean Mercy the following year. Brett served on the YWAM Regional Council for Central America and the Caribbean for 8 years. In 2000 he relocated to Mercy Ships International offices as a Vice President firstly establishing Executive Events before his appointment as V.P. International Development Group. In January 2004 Brett became the Chief Operating Officer for YWAM San Diego/Baja. He also serves on the board. brett.curtis@ywamsdbaja.org

Karen Curtis joined Youth With A Mission - Mercy Ships in '83 completing her DTS in the Pacific Islands with her husband Brett. A registered nurse from the nation of New Zealand, she co-directed the Discipleship Training Schools (DTS) on the m/v Anastasis with Brett. Karen went on to serve as Assistant CEO of the m/v Good Samaritan and m/v Caribbean Mercy. In 2000, after shipboard life in more than 50 nations, the family relocated to a land appointment in Texas. Karen's role involved planning and implementing the extensive details involved in events hosting the former head of state who currently serves as Mercy Ship's patron. Karen now works with YWAM San Diego/Baja. Brett and Karen have four children Wade (18), Larissa (15), Chelsea (11), and Shannon (9).
karen.curtis@ywamsdbaja.org

Joe Matta has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and an Associate of Arts degree in Accounting. During 35 years of business experience he has held several high level positions such as V.P. Operations, Chief Financial Officer, and Director of Finance and Administration. Joe completed his DTS at Kona HI in 1992 and was the Director of Administration at YWAM Los Angeles for 4 years before moving to YWAM San Diego Baja where he served as Assistant Director from 1996 until 2004. Joe now serves as the Director of Special Projects which includes assisting the Development Director of the new Tijuana Del Mar Campus.
joe.matta@ywamsdbaja.org

Kay Matta joined YWAM in 1992. She served as Human Resources Director at the YWAM-Los Angeles base for four years. In 1996, Kay relocated to San Diego as the H.R. Director at the YWAM-San Diego/Baja base. Kay's background has been in the Human Resources area for over 20 years. Kay and her husband Joe completed their Crossroads in Kona, Hawaii in '92. They have two adult sons, Joe Jr. and Gary, and are the proud grandparents of Ryan.
kay.matta@ywamsdbaja.org

Craig McClurg received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Minnesota in 1992. That fall he attended the Discipleship Training School at the YWAM center in Los Angeles. After completing the DTS, he joined the staff of YWAM LA where he met and married Kay Charlotte. Their primary ministry in Los Angeles was the Mission Adventures short-term outreach program for groups. In 1996 they joined the staff of YWAM San Diego/Baja to multiply the Mission Adventures program. Currently there are 35 YWAM centers in 12 nations that will mobilize approximately 6,000 youth this year. The McClurg's have a son Levi (4) and a daughter Taylor (2).
craig.mcclurg@ywamsdbaja.org

Jim Walker joined Youth with a Mission 1993, completing his Discipleship Training School at the Los Angeles Center, where he served on staff a short time thereafter. In 1995, he relocated to Germany and started a family with his wife Nico. They returned to the Los Angeles Center in 2000 and completed a School of Ministry Development. In May of 2000, he and his wife joined YWAM San Diego/Baja full-time as the Ensenada Base Directors. Jim has served in numerous areas, including handling operations for the Ensenada location, directing Discipleship Training Schools, and helping to pioneer new outreach programs. Jim is currently working as the Chief Programs Officer in San Diego and chairs the Program Committee.
jim.walker@ywamsdbaja.org

In 1988 Jorge Silva joined Mercy Ships in the engineering department on the m/v Anastasis. He completed a DTS in 1989 in Bogotá, Colombia completing a 3 year term back on board after his training. During that time he met his wife, Karen, married then moved to Bogotá, Colombia to work with training school for two years. In 1993 the Silva´s returned for three years to work on board the m/v Good Samaritan and the m/v Caribbean Mercy where he worked as assistant to the CEO also overseeing the advance logistical work and finally directing the Discipleship Training Schools on board. In 1997 the Silva´s returned to work with YWAM Cartagena where they founded and pioneered the mercy ministry of Proyecto Libertad, working in the area of Community Development. Jorge has recently accepted the position of Base Director in Ensenada and will relocate from Colombia in September ´04.
jorge.silva@ywamsdbaja.org

Kody Spang began his YWAM experience in the summer of 1999 as one of the leaders of YWAM Ensenada's Missions Adventures program. From Everett in Washington State, Kody found the impact was not only on the participating teens and the local Mexicans during that summer trip, it was also on his life, determining his next steps. He went on to complete additional training in the organization's pre-requisite DTS School and in 2000 he returned to join staff. Over the next three years Kody had responsibility for a number of areas of operations including being a team host, translator, and an A-Builder for the Homes of Hope program. In 2003 he served as the Assistant Base Director and now as the Program Manager, overseeing all initiatives in the field. Kody also serves on the Program Committee.
kody.spang@ywamsdbaja.org

Andy Ortega was born in Alamosa, CO in 1946 which in his estimation makes him real old. He began his missions career 19 years ago and is currently Director of the Tijuana YWAM base and serves on the Program Committee. He is passionate about people and seeing them discover Jesus, which is why he thinks Mission Adventures rocks! He has three children and 4 grandchildren and loves sports, especially baseball. Just in case you're interested in an extra dinner guest - he LOVES strawberries and cream.
andy.ortega@ywamsdbaja.org

Ivette Mendez was raised in Mexico City, becoming a Christian at 13. She joined YWAM at the age of 20 (1993) becoming a full time missionary. Yvette moved to the Tijuana base in 1998 and married her husband Jonathan in 2002. Her favorite past times are watching movies, crosstitch, sewing, and cleaning (it's true!). Her favorite fruit is papaya-which she declares is good for you! During Mission Adventures she loves seeing kids realize there is a God who loves them as a person & who wants to use them to bless others and preach His word. ivette.mendez@ywamsdbaja.org