General Info

Contact Info:

Office Phone Number (619) 407-7126

Ryan Sorensen Cell (619) 392-1853

Mexican Phone Number 011 52 664 638-69-77

Email:  info@bajabible.org

Outreach Opportunities

At Baja Bible School, we feel it’s our responsibility to give your group the opportunity to get out and see, meet, and work with the surrounding people, serving them as Christ taught us to do.

We work with several ministries here in Tijuana:

Iglesia Bautista Monte Horeb (a local church)

Ministerios Nueva Generacion (a home for boys in Groupo Mexico, Tijuana)

We also go into the surrounding areas of Tijuana asking neighbors how we can serve them. This usually results in the repairing of a roof or the digging of a bano.  As these and other ministries have need we will be asking you to not only help us get our building ready for students but also to help these other ministries.  We may also ask your group to serve the people of Tijuana in some other way; we will let you know where the greatest need is before you come down.

Teaching

At a time when your group is being challenged by getting a glimpse into the lives of many less fortunate people, we feel it’s a great opportunity to bring in teachers to share about missions and answer cultural questions.  Please set aside approximately one hour in the mornings for teaching.  Speakers such as Luis Salinas, Dave Burdette, Eddie Passmore, and others will be brought in.

Preparation

Preparing your group is very important.  Please pray regularly and challenge the group to find prayer partners.  A favorite verse of ours is Philippians 2:3-8 and is a good place to start in preparing students and staff.  Please encourage your group to come down as learners and servants.  Any Spanish phrases learned are great. We are praying with you.

Transportation

You will be responsible for your own transportation in Mexico. Our campus is located just two miles from the border crossing at San Ysidro. One of our staff would be happy to meet you on the U.S. side of the border and guide you to the school, if you wish. Contact Ryan Sorensen to set up a meeting time and place.

Insurance and Identification

Mexican vehicle insurance is required. Please purchase insurance before entering Tijuana.  There are several companies located just before you cross the border; Ryan can give you details on where those are located.

To cross back over into the United States, passports or passport cards are required for everyone. While in Mexico, keep your passport on you or in a safe place. Our campus has a gated area to park your vehicles but never leave anything in your vehicle, regardless of where it is parked.

Facilities and Food

Our facilities are basic.  You will be sleeping on a concrete floor inside the Castillo therefore pillows, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads are highly recommended. We have a kitchen with a stove and large refrigerator. We will provide your group with clean drinking water.  We recommend you bring food to eat breakfast here, and an easy packable lunch (you may eat at the Castillo or on a job site). We hope that your group will eat out at night and enjoy the delicious food available in the city.  Our staff will take you to the best restaurants and taco stands Tijuana has to offer. Please keep in mind that most restaurants are cash only. An average meal costs $5.00 per person (for tacos and a soda).  Shopping for food may be done in Tijuana or in the States.  There are several large grocery stores and a Costco on both sides of the border. Or, for a learning experience you may want to try a local farmers market where you can find almost anything you may need for your stay.

What to Bring

Your Bible

Tools are provided but feel free to bring your own also

Work clothes (see note in next paragraph) and a pair of nice cloths for church

There are clean baños (public showers) 5 minutes from campus for $3.50 a person; this includes towels and soap. Bring shoes to shower in.

Sleeping bag, pillow, & mat

Money in smaller bills for eating out, showers, etc.

General Information

Never leave anything in your van.  A bag of dirty clothes could look like a bag of gold to someone else.  This is especially important when leaving your vehicle in various parts of downtown.  Please be sure that girls bring a guy with them whenever walking outside of our campus.  Go in groups of at least two and let someone know where you’re going.  Also, please have your group dress conservatively (for example, we discourage shorts and tank tops). Different cultures have different conceptions of modesty in dress and we ask visitors to dress conservatively in a way that will not draw attention to themselves. It is not necessary to bring an interpreter. Usually you will find someone nearby who speaks English and will be happy to help you.

Fundraising

There is no charge to stay at the Castillo; we just ask that your group raise funds to help us with our building costs.  We do distribute monies brought by groups to our speakers and other ministries you will be working with. Ryan will be in communication with you on how to best use this money. 

Schedule

Please be ready to stick to our schedule, also please be ready to be flexible, as things don’t always happen as you plan down here in Tijuana. Depending on the size of your group, we may split you up and do several projects at once. A normal day will look like this:

6:30-7:00 am               wake up

7:00-7:30 am               quite time, personal devotions

7:30-8:00 am               breakfast & clean up

8:15-9:30 am               worship (bring your own musicians) & teaching

9:30 am                      work assignments given

5:00 pm                      meet at Castillo, clean up & go eat dinner 

* after dinner we recommend a debriefing time but its up to you

10:00-11:00 pm           quiet time

11:00 pm                    lights out

On Sunday morning you have the option to attend a local church.