Frequently Asked Questions
Click question to pop-down the answer.
What happens at The Journey Deepens?
How much does the retreat cost?
How do I register?
The retreat fee covers handouts,
three light meals Saturday, Sunday continental breakfast, and
sleeping accommodations.
For the
California retreat cost is $125 per full-time student,
$145 per nonstudent if paid at least ten days in advance.
Retreats in
Georgia, Illinois, Texas and Pennsylvania cost $100 per full-time student, $120 per nonstudent if paid at
least ten days in advance.
Less than ten days before a retreat the cost increases an additional $25
per person and space may not still be available then, either.
Cancellation policy: when necessary the retreat will refund all fees
paid minus $20 processing charge.
To
register please complete our
Contact Form.
Everyone who participates in the retreat will stay overnight on site
even if you do live nearby. At the
Georgia retreat each single will have a bunk bed. For other retreats
each single will have a single bed and share a room with others. At all locations
a pillow, sheets
and blanket are provided. Married couples at Georgia retreat will be assigned at
check-in a private bedroom with sheets, etc in a host home and then drive there
after each evening session. Married couples at other retreats will
have a private room on campus.
Is the cost a hindrance to you coming? Don’t let money keep you from
discovering your journey into God’s plan. If you don’t have the funds, but you
do have the desire to learn more about missions and how to bring the glory of
God to the nations, then ask the Lord to provide.
Go to your pastor and request a meeting. Share your desire to
explore becoming a missionary and ask for financial help you go to the retreat. Even if
you have only been attending for a short time, they will probably still want to
help you. Also consider a friend in your church. Invite them to
invest in you and your potential life in missions.
Cast a large vision; don’t just ask them to pay for a retreat. You are a worthy
investment. They are not giving you a handout, and you are not begging. The
Great Commission is the most worthy vocation on the planet, and investing in
potential missionaries is a strategic investment in God’s Kingdom. This is their
offering to the Lord, and you receive it from the Lord. If you have this
perspective then you will understand why the Apostle Paul asked the Lord to provide and then
asked people to give. The body of Christ is God’s instrument.
Checks are tax-deductible when made payable to Finishers Project and mailed to
the attention of Paul Erdmann, 3303 S. Lindsay Rd, Suite 108 Gilbert, AZ 85297.
Special thanks for the above comments from John with The BodyBuilders,
a ministry that gives vision, equipping, and mobilization to the body of Christ
to help fulfill the Great Commission. For more attend their training seminar
"Boot Camp for Personal Support Raising." Visit
www.TheBodyBuilders.net.
I want to tell a friend about this. What resources do you have?
You can
tell a friend
using our example email, handout, or video.
Who comes to the retreat?
Prospective missionaries come from a variety of ages and life stages. A key part
of the retreat are the small groups which meet four times during the weekend
with the same missionary coaches. We have discussion groups for high
school seniors, college students, young adults, mid-lifers, baby boomers
– anyone willing to explore becoming a missionary. We do not have
accommodations or a program for children. The four-minute video
shows the various age groups though the interviews do not include the older
adults who were too shy for the camera.
How should I prepare?
Ask God to prepare your heart.
Read most or
all of the first nine articles in the workbook Send Me: Your Journey to
the Nations. If you have the book see pages 15-32. Or read these articles
online in the section titled
Charting the Course.
Or you can download the entire book as a
17 MB pdf file and print pdf pages 7-24.
Invite friends and family to join you in prayer:
- Pray for the prospective missionaries coming to connect with the Lord,
experienced missionaries, and each other.
- Pray for clear minds, open hearts, and physical health and endurance of each
participant.
- Pray for safe travel for all involved.
- Pray for wisdom, grace, and patience for the speakers and staff.
- Ask the Lord of the Harvest to send forth workers into His harvest fields.
Optional: occasionally some participants
like to
print the nine-page guide to the
small group
discussions and answer some of those questions in advance. Note:
most people just receive the guide at the retreat and work on it there.
What should I bring?
This is just a weekend so be practical,
but don't forget your basics. These items you will certainly need.
- Bible
- Notebook & Pen
- Soap, Shampoo, etc.
- Casual clothes only
- Any questions you want to ask the missions coaches
- Money to buy snacks or books (checks or cash, no credit cards). If you have already have the workbook Send
Me bring it. (Send Me may also be available at the retreat to
purchase.)
- Note: married couples may need to pack separate bags depending on the
housing option they select.
- Optional: a digital camera or mini-DV camcorder if you're willing to take some
shots that could be added to our website or promo video. Please also
bring a cable so a copy can be downloaded to The Journey Deepens
computer
at the retreat.
- Coaches: for prayer bring one topic (including three prayer
points) and one photo (on thumbdrive or CD)
- Print this page with directions below to the retreat location
(Hint: click on all answers you need on paper and then use your browser
print button.)
Where will I sleep?
Everyone who participates in the retreat will stay overnight on site
even if you do live nearby. Pillow, sheets and blanket are provided.
Please bring your own toiletries. At the
Georgia retreat each single will have a bunk bed. For other retreats
each single will have a single bed and share a room with others. At all locations
a pillow, sheets
and blanket are provided. Married couples at Georgia retreat will be assigned at
check-in a private bedroom with sheets, etc in a host home and then drive there
after each evening session. Married couples at other retreats
will have a private room on campus.
When does this retreat begin and end?
The retreat begins on Friday at 7 pm with check-in 5-7 pm.
(Missions coaches check-in and meet Friday at 3 pm.)
Dinner is not available Friday night so eat before you come. The
retreat concludes around 12.30 pm on Sunday after cleanup and Sunday lunch is not
provided. (Missions coaches debrief and leave Sunday at 2 pm). We
will all have three light meals together on Saturday and continental breakfast together on Sunday.
What do you suggest if I want to fly?
Please select a flight that arrives Friday before 5 pm and departs
Sunday after 3pm. (Missions coaches should select a flight that arrives Friday around
1p and departs Sunday after 4.30 pm.)
For the
California retreat we suggest you first look for flights
to the Burbank Airport (BUR). This is closer and typically has fewer
flight delays than the alternative: Los Angeles International Airport
(LAX). In either case those who fly should reserve in advance a shuttle
van ride to the Aylward building of the U.S. Center for World Mission on
the campus of William Carey International University (WCIU), 1539 East
Howard St. Pasadena CA 91104. WCIU receives a discounted rate from
Prime Time
Shuttle (800) 733-8267 as well as
Supershuttle
(909) 984-0040 . Be sure to mention William Carey International
University when calling for reservations and call to arrange for service
several days prior to your arrival (to reduce wait time at the airport).
Rates vary.
We suggest you do not reserve your return ride since at
the retreat we can get together and arrange to travel back together at a
cheaper group rate.
For the
Georgia retreat select a flight to the Atlanta airport (ATL).
To reserve a seat in the volunteer vehicle between the airport and
retreat center please indicate your interest via the
Contact Us form and be ready to give
some money for gas.
What are the directions if I drive?
About a week before the retreat begins we'll send email addresses of others coming from your
area so you can consider sharing a ride together.
If it looks like you will arrive Friday after 9 pm or if you need
directions please call (918) 748-1713 x1 (this number
will be forwarded to
The Journey Deepens
cell phone). Dinner is not served Friday so you may want to
eat in advance. Remember: space is limited at the retreat and
pre-registration is required.
For the California retreat we are using the
dorms and the China room in the
Gladys Aylward conference
facilities at the U.S. Center for World Mission on the campus of William
Carey International University. For driving directions enter your
starting address from inside this link to
1539 East Howard St,
Pasadena, CA 91104.
The office phone is 626-398-2415. William Carey International University
is on slightly elevated ground near the San Bernardino Mountains; the
Aylward House is the westernmost Building on the campus. The main
entrance to the Aylward Dorm is on the eastern side of the building,
opposite Wesley Ave (which borders Aylward on the West).
For the Georgia retreat we are using the conference facilities of Operation
Mobilization just 20 minutes from the Atlanta, Georgia airport. For
driving directions enter your starting address from inside this link to
285 Lynnwood Ave, Tyrone, Georgia. Their office phone is 770-631-0432.
If you're driving from Birmingham take I-20 east. Then exit #10A
onto I-285 south. Then take I-85 south. Take exit #61 which is highway 74
and then proceed south. Exit onto Senoia Road and continue south. Turn
right onto Lynnwood Avenue. Follow signs to Operation Mobilization and
The Journey Deepens.
If you're driving from the north or east sides of Atlanta take I-285
south towards Atlanta International Airport. Then take I-85 south. Take
exit #61 which is highway 74 and then proceed south. Exit onto Senoia
Road and continue south. Turn right onto Lynnwood Avenue. Follow signs
to Operation Mobilization and The Journey Deepens.
If you're driving from Montgomery take I-85 north. Then exit #56,
turn right onto Collingsworth/Palmetto Road. Turn right onto Senoia Road
and continue south. Turn right onto Lynnwood Avenue. Follow signs to
Operation Mobilization and The Journey Deepens.