Local Hosts
The core of the retreat and the key distinctive is the discussion group with six prospects and two coaches. Each group meets four times throughout the weekend. This is not a conference with workshops. See separate seven page document with worksheets for the small group discussions. Here a sample schedule.

Local hosts are needed to co-sponsor future retreats in the U.S.

To co-sponsor The Journey Deepens (TJD) retreat in your region here's what is involved:

  1. Recommend two to four qualified missions coaches to serve in discussion groups. These will then have a phone interview (see next section below) with Ele Parrott before these are accepted.
  2. Recommend a local, inspirational missionary speaker to speak 20 minutes in Friday evening general session about “Reflection on Personal Preparation.” This person will then have a phone interview with Don Parrott. Note: the Saturday morning and Sunday morning speaker is Don Parrott.
  3. On Saturday evening TJD has a Concert of Prayer which may be led by the local host or by TJD.
  4. Help find a possible worship leader for the four general sessions. This person will then have a phone interview with Don Parrott. If needed in the meeting room, arrange to have a small sound system and sound technician.
  5. Provide a retreat facility that has available dates, affordable meals (three Saturday plus breakfast Sunday) or kitchen facility for our staff to use, adequate sleep accommodations for singles plus options married couples onsite or at a nearby motel or host homes. Note: coaches have a working intro dinner Friday evening and a working debrief lunch Sunday.
  6. Suggest a way (shuttle or volunteers) to assist those who need a ride from the airport to the retreat facility.
  7. Find a missions coach or volunteer who can give directions to those who get lost driving. For example, we will tell participants “if it looks like you will arrive Friday after 8.30 pm or if you need directions please call ______’s cell phone at (XXX) _____.”
  8. Promote the retreat to your leads. This may include an email or facebook message sent to appropriate contacts, listing the retreat on your website, showing retreat video at your short-termer debriefings, etc.
  9. Optional: phone people who inquire via the TJD website.

The TJD national office handles:

  1. Scheduling Don and Ele Parrott and selecting retreat date to minimize conflicts with local school, university and church calendars, regional and national events including Passion, Urbana, World Pioneer conferences, etc.
  2. Telephone screening of missions coaches. Not every missionary is qualified or has the personality mix or fits with the demographics of a specific retreat.
  3. Perspectives courses promotion and cost: duplicating DVDs, printing brochures, mailing of DVD and brochures.
  4. E-mail reminders to those who have inquired. Additional promotion to Perspectives alumni, Finishers Project, Missions Catalyst, etc.
  5. Registration via web, phone call inquiries, and payments by mailed check or credit card. Advance registration and payment is required. Afterwards TJD pays local host the agreed upon expenses for food and accommodation. TJD also uses part of the registration fees to cover airfare for Don and Ele Parrott, promotion costs, etc.
  6. In-person orientation of missions coaches on the afternoon just before the retreat begins.