Church camp is one of the most powerful tools the Church has to engage, disciple, and ignite the faith of young people. It’s where kids unplug from distractions, encounter Jesus in a fresh way, build real friendships, and discover that they have a place and purpose in God’s family.

That’s the heartbeat behind Camp Kikomar—a unique Christian camp located right on the beach of the Gulf Coast near Tuxpan, Mexico. Over the years, this seaside sanctuary has become a vital space for local churches, youth groups, ministries, and families to connect, be refreshed, and grow deeper in their walk with Christ.

But Camp Kikomar didn’t start with pristine cabins and ocean breezes. It started with a vision.

In the 1960s, Juan Isáis—a Mexican missionary—and his wife Elisabeth, an American missionary, moved to Mexico with a dream to see youth reached for Christ. Their time serving across Latin America and the U.S. left a lasting impression: camps have a way of capturing hearts for Jesus in a way few other environments can.

In 1995, that vision took root when Juan and Elisabeth purchased the first parcel of beachfront property near Tuxpan. They later added a second lot in 1997, dreaming of what this land could become. At the time, it was wild and undeveloped—no electricity, no bathrooms, just tents and a hope that God would use it.

By the early 2000s, Juan had passed away, and the camp struggled to stay afloat. But God wasn’t done with Camp Kikomar.

In 2007, Diana, a long-time missionary with CFCI, and her teammate Mirna, moved from the outskirts of Mexico City to the Camp Kikomar site—unsure of what the future held, but certain that God had called them there. The early years were filled with sweat, prayer, and perseverance—tearing down what didn’t work and slowly building up new infrastructure, one step at a time.

With the help of a faithful church partner eight hours away and annual construction teams from Canada, the camp began to transform. In 2015, the dining hall and kitchen were inaugurated—turning the camp from a hopeful project into a fully functioning space for ministry.

Today, Camp Kikomar can host over 100 people, with eight cabins (including jungle-style youth cabins with hammocks!), plenty of tent space, and staff who live on-site and treat each guest like family.

What makes Camp Kikomar truly special isn’t just the location—though it is the only Christian camp on the beach in the region! It’s the heart behind it.

Camp Kikomar doesn’t run its own programming. Instead, they come alongside churches, youth leaders, and ministries—equipping them to run their own camps and retreats. They provide facilities, advice on games and counselor training, meals when needed, and a peaceful environment for growth, healing, and encounter.

And it’s not just about youth. Local churches come for baptisms and family days. Pastors send struggling couples to retreat. People wander into camp just needing someone to talk to—and find loving staff ready to listen, mentor, and pray.

As Diana puts it, “Camp Kikomar is a place of reconciliation—with God and with others.”

That’s not just a motto. It’s a reality that plays out week after week—whether it’s a teen experiencing Jesus for the first time, a youth leader being equipped to lead, or an indigenous family encountering healing and restoration.

After nearly two decades of service, Diana and Mirna are prayerfully preparing for a new season—revitalizing the board, rebuilding the staff, and raising up new leaders who will carry the vision forward. Their dream is to strengthen the camp’s focus on serving indigenous churches, who they call their “VIP guests,” while still welcoming churches and ministries from across Mexico.

They’ve weathered many storms—including the COVID-19 pandemic, financial challenges, and health struggles. But they believe the best days of Camp Kikomar are still ahead.