Testimonies

"This has been the greatest and most helpful retreat I’ve ever been to. Mixing with different people and missionaries was a great learning time. I really enjoyed the small groups. I enjoyed the one on one. It was awesome!”

"Being able to ask missionaries question after question was such a great opportunity! "

"The retreat helped me with practical ideas for missions and spurred my passion for Jesus."

"This weekend provided great information and gave me a realistic picture of missions. It helped me learn things I was unaware of and better prepare myself."

"The retreat helped me focus my passion into reachable goals. Maybe I can’t leave for the field tomorrow but I can pursue what will prepare me now for what God has in the future."

"You should be aware of some items that were lost. We lost our fear of being missionaries. We lost our pride and entitlement to be comfortable. We lost our rights of security and safety. Most important, we lost our preconceptions of what we thought God had for our future and discovered a new direction."

"This weekend gave me a clearer view and vision for what I would like to do and how I can get there. It brought people into my life to help me along the journey in many ways."

"This retreat helped solidify things about the future and expanded what I know about missions. I loved being able to talk with the missionaries who are doing what I dream of doing."

"It rocked my world. I’ve learned a whole new level of passion and action."

"We came with a vision of going to Asia but we weren’t sure we were ready. Now I know we’re not, but we know where we lack and some of the steps to be prepared. Our hearts are ready to go now. We’re committed. And we will be moving forward in faith that God will work in us to build the character we need and equip us with the tools that are necessary."

"It was so encouraging to meet others who have the same passion for missions, missionaries and agencies. This really helped make going to the mission field seem closer, not so huge and complicated."

"This helped me learn to take one step at a time to continue my spiritual walk with God and deepen my relationship with my church."

"The retreat provided an environment free of my everyday distractions, helped me process and gain refreshed perspective."

"I was so encouraged by my small group time and the sincerity of all the participants and missionaries. There was a different feel than a typical retreat. God gave us a much needed refreshing, renewal, and peace about such an anxious, confusing subject – our call to missions. We had already taken the Perspectives course but we needed this weekend to get headed in the right direction."

"I realize that becoming a long-term missionary may be years in the future but I am willing to grow and wait. It was so refreshing to share my vision with so many people who urged me forward in this God-given dream. The retreat helped keep my head up in the face of the nay sawyers, unbelieving family members, and others who say I should stay in the states. This was the one place where no one thought I was crazy to follow God into long-term missions.

"Every one of the missions coaches was very helpful and open to talking. They were truly interested in my life and where I’m at. I could tell that they care deeply, and I am very grateful for that."

"This retreat has been as awesome time to focus – time set apart from a schedule that has been to “busy”, and really seek after God. It has encouraged me and reminded me that it is time to seek God’s plan for me – and not just push it to the back burners in my mind."

"Through the help of the coaches and God I can now see what I should do next and how I can participate in missions. My desire to go overseas is confirmed, but I see I must wait. God will show me when."

"This weekend was so encouraging to fellow people who are very mission minded. It helped sharing problems with family and talking out fears and my relationship with God."

"For me, the retreat has been a spiritual embrace. I feel that the Lord has lovingly reminded me of His control in my life and that all I need to do is follow. What a joy it has been to meet like-minded people from all over!"

"It helped me refocus on God, instead of on the need of the world. It also helped me examine my life and look at what I value, and if those are things worthy of value. The teachings and questions prevented me from pushing to the side important issues, which need to be dealt with before going to the field, and it helped me get serious about finding a mentor. "

"It helped me realized that I would like to be a missionary someday. It made me want to plan for the future by praying about where God wants me to go and working harder to get rid of my debt. It helped to be able to speak to both people who are and have been missionaries and to those who want to be. It was nice to be able to hear about their experiences and to exchange ideas with those who are like-minded."

"I learned about organizations and so enjoyed hanging with like-minded people who didn’t walk off thinking I was crazy."

"It was a great help in clarifying not just my vision but also my spouse’s. This has brought us affirmation because they fit together so well. It was also beneficial to have access to some different agencies to better understand what to look for in one."

"During group time it gave me a chance to talk out some of the thoughts God was putting in my mind through the main sessions. That was a great time of talking, reflecting, processing, praying, and vision casting for my next steps in helping further God’s kingdom. The meals were also a good opportunity to fellowship. I think the size was also conducive to getting so much from the retreat."

"I now have an incredibly clear focus regarding missions and God's call on my life."

"I have concrete goals that will help me get to where God wants me to serve Him."

"The weekend was fun and gave important facts and truths to help me proceed forward with God's plan."

"A year later I can see how the retreat helped me to really seek Jesus for what He has for me and how I could be involved in what He was doing. This helped me to listen to God's voice and seek Him first in the path my life is taking instead of looking around at others. The weekend helped me learn to persevere and complete things in my life. God has shown me that I lack discipline. It is a choice. I must remain in Him, the source of every breath, every blessing." - Lana

"A year later I realize how God used this retreat to bring me to a desire to know Him more deeply so that I can share about that close friendship with others. Knowing Him and making Him known is the one thing that truly satisfies. I don't just follow Him when I have an emotional high, I follow Him all the time no matter how I feel." - Trevor