CHIPs Compass

Children’s Intercultural Program (CHIPs)

Your entire family has been called to serve in cross-cultural ministry. Whether they will work directly in ministry or not, your whole family—including children, no matter their ages—will face significant changes and challenges as you work for the cause of the Gospel in new cultures. MTI understands the unique issues that kids face and we’re ready to equip your entire family for your calling.

While parents attend Compass, CHIPs objectives parallel the Compass objectives. This creates natural talking points and allowing families to continue the learning process together in the evening…all while having fun!

What is CHIPs Compass?

Giving Kids & Teens Language to Express Their Experiences

When kids embark on cross-cultural experiences that are too hard to explain to others who have never “been there,” they often shut down or lock up relationally. Although this is also true of adults, it can be especially paralyzing or confusing for kids. Learning with other kids who have “been there,” along with CHIPs facilitators who put names to common reactions, often liberates and unlocks the child’s positive outlook on life and the sense of being loved and cared for by God.

Answer Common Questions from Kids & Parents

For 60 years, Mission Training International has been helping parents prepare their children for what lies ahead. Kids ask a million questions. Why are we going? Why us? What will it really be like? Will I like it? Who will be my new friends? Will I still fit in? How will I talk when I don’t know the language? What can I bring with me when we go? There’s days I don’t want to go… is that OK?  Is it OK to ask these questions again?

CHIPs will help you find answers to these and other typical behavioral responses from kids. Our goal is to empower parents to value their kids’ questions and internal world, responding in ways that will keep the family close and unified. After all, perhaps the brightest beacon of witness in any culture is a family in which Christ’s love, grace, and forgiveness is readily evident.

Age Appropriate

Our certified CHIPs teachers facilitate the program in five different age-clusters, maximizing the effectiveness for each age group. Age groupings may be adjusted per program according to the needs of the children coming to Compass.

  • Nursery aged children are cared for in a safe and loving environment. It is important for them to learn to trust parents and other caregivers and continue to work towards developmental milestones. This age group receives daily opportunities for free play, naps, and activities to stimulate their growth in communication and relationships with others.

    For the health and welfare of infants, we request that they be at least 6-weeks-old before attending Compass.

  • Toddlers will be equipped for transitioning to their new home through age-appropriate play and activities. Books, crafts and lessons are used to help them name their feelings, learn healthy interactions with others, and become more open to new things. They practice sharing, kind words, manners, and obedience. Their daily learning occurs with times for free play, recess and afternoon naps.

  • This age group will gain key skills for thriving and connecting in their new culture. Activities, crafts, and interactive play assist in training, helping them to see and listen to others with kindness and an open attitude. This class develops and practices skills in communicating their emotions. It will dive into how to communicate them safely with adults and others, and prayerfully with God. Children in this class also take field trips and have a daily quiet time.

  • Breakthrough kids are experiencing mixed feelings in preparation for leaving the home, life, relationships, and culture they have always known. The program will both prepare them to navigate transition by looking at communication, perspectives, conflict, and values. This class offers opportunities for processing alone, with others, and with God. Varied activities, including field trips, allow them to have hands-on experiences that will solidify their learning.

  • Teenagers moving overseas need to have a safe space to discuss and process the challenges they will face in moving to a new culture. While this primarily takes place with their peers and trainers, they will periodically join the adult language and culture classes. By the end of their program, teens will dig deep into exploring their identity, values and relationships, allowing them to transition more smoothly.