Y-KNOT Missions is called to the nations. Guatemala will be our first Central American hub, a place where every YKM program can thrive, multiply, and ultimately help support the ongoing work in Haiti.
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Our vision is to see lives transformed for Christ through locally-led, holistic programs that meet spiritual and physical needs.

Filling the gap:

Santa Cruz, located along Lake Atitlán, is home to the Kaqchikel Maya, an Indigenous community with deep ancestral roots in the region. While the area is a well-known tourist destination, many local families live on the margins:
  • Kaqchikel is the primary language in homes; Spanish is often a second language, especially for elders
  • Life is subsistence-based, relying on farming, fishing, and crafts for survival
  • ​Rising costs from tourism have left many Indigenous families underserved and overlooked
  • Many homes lack running water, sanitation, or consistent electricity, especially in the upper village
  • Malnutrition and stunted growth are common among children
  • ​School attendance often drops after primary grades due to poverty

What We are planning for 2026

At YKM, we prioritize locally led initiatives that empower individuals and strengthen families. As we listen and learn from local leaders and families in Santa Cruz, Lake Atitlán, we are exploring new program opportunities designed to meet practical needs, strengthen those families, and provide hope for the next generation.

Youth Soccer Outreach

Our soccer program offers more than just a game. It builds character, fosters belonging, and creates a safe space for youth to learn about the Gospel. Through mentorship and discipleship, we use soccer as a platform to reach and transform lives.

What this will look like:

  • Mentorship through soccer: lessons in biblical discipleship, teamwork, leadership, and discipline
  • A meaningful alternative to street life, violence, and alcoholism
  • Locally led: coaches are raised up from within the community and developed through intentional training

​Pastoral & Church Support

At the core of Y-KNOT Missions is the desire to see lives transformed spiritually and physically. In Guatemala, faith plays a vital role in daily life and pastors have a profound impact on their communities through the roles they fulfill as mentors, counselors, mediators, and community anchors. Yet many lack access to formal theological training or resources. By equipping pastors, we strengthen entire communities from the inside out.

What this will look like:

  • Theological training and mentorship
  • Practical ministry resources
  • Leadership networks and collaboration

Erers Valioso — Alcohol Recovery Program

One of the greatest challenges identified by pastors and community leaders around Lake Atitlán is the devastating impact of alcoholism. Alcohol use is deeply rooted in cultural and social practices, with youth beginning to drink as early as age 7 or 8. And, pastors have shared that alcoholism is the single greatest hurdle in family health, community stability, and even staff recruitment.

What this could look like: 
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  • Addressing cultural & contextual factors (e.g., generational drinking practices, social acceptance of heavy drinking, local spirits like “cuxa”)
  • Offering biblical, community-based recovery programs that affirm dignity and provide support
  • Creating safe, transformative spaces for individuals and families impacted by alcohol abuse

Why Guatemala?

After more than a decade of proven impact in Haiti, we see an opportunity to bring the same Christ-centered, locally-led model to Guatemala, where many Indigenous families around Lake Atitlán remain underserved despite the area’s thriving tourism industry.  Rising costs of living, limited education, and lack of access to resources have left these communities on the margins. ​Now is the time to expand, replicate what works, and fill the gap for families who are too often overlooked.

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