What is Missionary Debriefing?
Missionary Care
The debriefing may be done individually, as a couple, or as part of a small group who have had similar experiences, including the joys and challenges of missionary service. The challenges may include such things as betrayal, trauma, culture shock, loss, gains, discouragement, and reentry.
It is an opportunity to consider how God has and wants to continue using your experience toward who you are becoming in Christ.
It is an opportunity to consider how God has and wants to continue using your experience toward who you are becoming in Christ.
Debriefing Options
Critical Incident Stress Management
We come alongside missionaries as soon as possible following a significant incident, providing immediate care, encouragement, and support at no cost to them. Our goal is to help missionaries and their families navigate difficult seasons with compassion, practical assistance, and a reminder that they are not walking through these challenges alone.
Whether responding to an unexpected crisis, a ministry-related need, or a season of transition, we are committed to serving those who faithfully serve others. Through timely care and personal support, we seek to strengthen missionaries, help them recover and move forward, and demonstrate the love of Christ during challenging moments.
Whether responding to an unexpected crisis, a ministry-related need, or a season of transition, we are committed to serving those who faithfully serve others. Through timely care and personal support, we seek to strengthen missionaries, help them recover and move forward, and demonstrate the love of Christ during challenging moments.
Individual/Couple Missionary Debriefing
We come alongside missionaries 2–3 months after they return to the United States following a term of missionary service. Whether we come to you or you come to us in Central Florida, our goal is to provide a meaningful time of reflection, encouragement, and care as you transition back into life and ministry.
Returning from the mission field can bring unique challenges as missionaries adjust to a new culture, reconnect with family and churches, and process the experiences of their time serving overseas. We provide a space to share, reflect, and receive encouragement as you evaluate your previous season of ministry and prepare for what God has ahead.
Returning from the mission field can bring unique challenges as missionaries adjust to a new culture, reconnect with family and churches, and process the experiences of their time serving overseas. We provide a space to share, reflect, and receive encouragement as you evaluate your previous season of ministry and prepare for what God has ahead.
Group Missionary
Our group missionary debriefing provides an intentional time of reflection, encouragement, and renewal for missionaries returning from a term of service. Groups are limited to no more than six participants, including both single missionaries and married couples, allowing for a personal and meaningful experience.
The debriefing is held in a Christian retreat center setting in either Tennessee or Pennsylvania, typically from Monday afternoon through Friday afternoon, approximately 2–3 months after missionaries return to the United States.
The debriefing is held in a Christian retreat center setting in either Tennessee or Pennsylvania, typically from Monday afternoon through Friday afternoon, approximately 2–3 months after missionaries return to the United States.
Individual/Couple “Returning Well” Missionary
Our individual couple debriefing provides personalized care and encouragement for missionaries as they transition back from a season of ministry overseas. This debriefing takes place through Zoom over the course of several weeks, allowing couples to process their experiences in a comfortable and intentional setting.
Using the book Returning Well as a guide, couples are encouraged to reflect on their journey, discuss the challenges and blessings of reentry, and evaluate how God has worked through their time of service. These conversations provide a safe space to process emotions, identify areas of growth, and receive encouragement as they continue following God’s calling.
Using the book Returning Well as a guide, couples are encouraged to reflect on their journey, discuss the challenges and blessings of reentry, and evaluate how God has worked through their time of service. These conversations provide a safe space to process emotions, identify areas of growth, and receive encouragement as they continue following God’s calling.
Online Debriefing
When missionaries are unable to attend an in-person debriefing, we bring the debriefing experience directly to you through an online format. This option provides flexibility while still offering the same intentional care, reflection, and encouragement found in a traditional debriefing setting.
Through seven guided debriefing modules, missionaries are given the opportunity to process their experiences, reflect on their season of ministry, discuss challenges and transitions, and recognize God’s faithfulness throughout their journey. These sessions are designed to provide a safe and supportive environment for missionaries and their families as they navigate the transition back from the field.
Through seven guided debriefing modules, missionaries are given the opportunity to process their experiences, reflect on their season of ministry, discuss challenges and transitions, and recognize God’s faithfulness throughout their journey. These sessions are designed to provide a safe and supportive environment for missionaries and their families as they navigate the transition back from the field.
Modules
- Module 1: Everybody Has a Story
The experience of every missionary is unique. The Bible contains many life stories. A danger for every Christian is getting stuck at a point in their missionary story. In this we look at two familar people in the Bible and the potential for getting stuck in your story. - Module 2: The Work of God
God promises to work all things together for good in the lives of Christians. In this module, we consider anew and afresh the sometimes slow, but certain work of God in our lives. - Module 3: The Perplexity of Paradox
There are things in life that seem contradictory to each other. In this module we look at paradox in general, some Bible paradoxes, and are reminded that the sometimes slow, but certain work of God is not frustrated by paradox. - Module 4: The Pain of Loss
Missionary life involves losses, disappointments, betrayals, etc. In this module, we remind ourselves about the reality of loss and its effect on us. - Module 5: Grief and Lament
The biblical tools for dealing with loss include grieving losses and learning to lament. - Module 6: The Joy of Gain
The life of every Christian is a testimony of God’s goodness and grace. Blessings are to be counted and celebrated. - Module 7: Soul-Care
The most important thing in the life of every Christian, including missionaries, is the health of their spiritual life.