Debriefing & Renewal: Move forward with hope.
Debriefing for everyone.
About Debriefing & Renewal (DAR)
The DAR program helps missionaries in transition reflect and interpret their experiences and brings about personal renewal. It is created for those experiencing life changes and the implications of cross-cultural life and ministry. It is not a curative program, nor is it meant for psychological counseling.
All MTI debriefing programs dedicate time to grief, loss, and transition. There will be time spent in a group setting, along with individual time to process. View a sample adult schedule here and the children's program schedule here!
For Singles, Couples & Families:
Throughout your cross-cultural ministry, all family members – including children – will face significant changes and challenges as you return to your passport culture. MTI understands the unique issues that kids face and we’re ready to walk beside you in this transition. Our CHildren’s Intercultural Programs (CHIPs) is meant to help during this process.
While parents attend DAR, CHIPs objectives parallel the adult ones. This creates natural talking points and allows families to continue the learning process together outside the classroom. We value the participation of entire families and require them to attend together.
PLEASE NOTE: MTI does not have a specialized program for young adults who are in transition. If your family has children who have graduated from high school, please contact info@mti.org for information about alternative programs designed specifically for young adults.
Life on Campus
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Each room features a bed, desk, dresser, and private bathroom.
Our community spaces include several fireplaces (both indoor and outdoor), private seating areas, and a game room with foosball, ping-pong, and air hockey.
All of your sheets and towels will be provided for you, and we have a complimentary full-service laundry room.
Our food service team works to prepare a variety of offerings throughout your stay. You will enjoy three meals a day and snacks during break periods.
We have two minivans that are available to our participants. We do ask that you stay within the Monument/Palmer Lake area. This will get you to several gyms, grocery stores, and local restaurants.
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Located in Colorful Colorado, we have many opportunities for outdoor activities nearby. We have several trails that encircle the campus and are walking distance from the Santa Fe Trail. The weather can be unpredictable, so be sure to bring plenty of layers!
FAQs
Program Fit
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DAR provides guided debriefing for individuals, couples, and families. The program creates space for reflection, processing, renewal, and reconnection during seasons of cross-cultural transition.
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To participate in DAR (Debriefing and Renewal), all individuals must meet the following criteria:
English proficiency required – Program materials, sessions, and group discussions are conducted in English. As such, English proficiency ensures all participants can fully engage with the content and connect meaningfully with one another.
Whole household participation - DAR requires whole-household participation. Families attend together as a shared experience, including children from six weeks old through high school graduation. This model reflects the reality that overseas ministry affects the entire family unit and creates space to process those experiences together. Married participants attend together as a couple. The program addresses relational dynamics, supports shared processing as a team, and provides space for individual care.
Service was overseas (not in the US) – DAR specifically serves those returning from international cross-cultural ministry contexts, as these experiences involve unique challenges and stresses related to cross-cultural living and global ministry. However, if you believe your domestic service situation involved similar cross-cultural dynamics or circumstances, we encourage you to apply anyway and explain your situation.
Minimum 2+ years on the field – Participants should have served for at least two years in their ministry context. This timeframe typically allows for sufficient cultural adaptation and life integration so that the debriefing process can meaningfully address the complex experiences and transitions of long-term cross-cultural ministry.
Maximum 2 households per agency or country per program – To protect anonymity and create a safe environment for open sharing during debriefing, we limit participation to no more than two households from the same sending agency OR who have been serving in the same country in each program session. This ensures participants can process sensitive experiences without concern about information reaching their organization or field colleagues. You will be notified during registration if this limit has been reached.
Minimum 4 weeks stateside before DAR begins – Participants must have departed their country of service at least 4 weeks before the start of the program. This buffer allows for initial jet lag recovery, logistical settling, and some emotional decompression, so participants can be more present and ready to engage in the deeper processing fostered throughout DAR.
Recommended 2 weeks stateside after DAR ends – We strongly recommend that participants remain in the United States for at least two weeks following the program before returning to the field. This time allows you to integrate insights from DAR, continue processing, and avoid rushing immediately back into the demands of ministry while still emotionally and spiritually tender from the debriefing experience.
Debriefing: Not Clinical Counseling – DAR provides structured debriefing to help process ministry experiences, transitions, and the emotional and spiritual impact of cross-cultural service. While our facilitators are trained in debriefing and member care, this program is not a substitute for clinical counseling or therapy. If you or your family members are currently dealing with acute mental health concerns, trauma that requires clinical intervention, or relational crises, we encourage you to seek appropriate professional counseling in addition to or before attending DAR.
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DAR is best attended four to six weeks after leaving your country of service. This timing allows initial adjustment while experiences remain close enough for meaningful processing. However, if your timeframe is outside of this range, we encourage you to apply anyway and explain your situation.
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Registration follows three stages:
Stage One:
Create an account. Complete a profile for each household member. Select preferred dates.Stage Two:
Applications are reviewed by our intake team before moving to stage 3.Stage Three:
Registration confirmation is received via email, and a 10% deposit secures placement in the program. The remaining balance is due one month before the program starts.
Programs frequently fill early. Registration three months in advance is strongly encouraged.
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MTI is physically located at 421 Highway 105, Palmer Lake, CO 80133.
Free shuttle service is provided by MTI (12:00 PM – 2:30 PM) from the Colorado Springs Airport (COS), any Colorado Springs Hotel, and the Monument Park-n-Ride. Please note that you will need to provide your own transportation if your arrival/departure is outside of our shuttle schedule or if you are flying into or out of Denver International Airport (DEN). As you make your travel plans, please be aware of the following parameters:
Schedule your arrival flight to the Colorado Springs Airport before 1:30 PM on Sunday, the first day of the program. Our MTI courtesy shuttle runs from 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM on Sunday only.
Please plan your departure flight on Saturday from Colorado Springs Airport for 1:45 PM or later.
The MTI shuttle will pick up at the arrivals pick-up loading zone at the Colorado Springs Airport. If you experience flight delays, call MTI at (719) 487-0111 to keep us informed.
If your arrival or departure falls outside this timeframe or you choose to arrive at Denver International Airport (DEN), your transportation options include:
Rental car
You may choose to arrange for a commercial shuttle to the Monument Park ‘n Ride or the MTI training site (MTI can pick up at the Monument Park-n-Ride between 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM). Consider Groome Transportation or Along Came Carol.
Uber, Lyft, or Taxi
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Dress: Casual with layers, keeping in mind that Colorado’s weather can change dramatically. We have a complimentary full-service laundry room withh washers and dryers.
Shoes or Boots: Bring shoes for hiking and/or walking.
Toiletries
Bible
Reusable Water Bottle
Lotion, Chap Stick, & Sunscreen
Child Monitor: MTI has monitors available for use, but bring your own if you prefer.
Car Seat / Booster Seat: MTI has car seats and boosters available. For your reference, please see the Colorado State Child Passenger Safety laws here.
Exercise Items: MTI does not have exercise equipment. Consider bringing packable items for indoor exercise, or come prepared for outdoor exercise. MTI is close to a walking/running path. There is also a nearby YMCA, CrossFit Gym, and 24-hour fitness club.
As you are packing, please keep in mind: The elevation in Palmer Lake is 7,225 feet above sea level. Drinking plenty of water is important as you get used to the altitude. Colorado summer temperatures range from 75-90° throughout the day and cool to about 30-40° in the evening. Winter temperatures range from 0-60° with snow possible at any time. The fall and spring seasons will have both summer and winter ranges.
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DAR arrivals take place mid-day Sunday and departures are on Saturday. Programming runs weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Exceptions are communicated upon arrival. All meals are provided.
View a sample adult schedule here and the children's program schedule here!
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While you are at MTI, you are welcome to receive mail. Let your friends and family know to have letters and packages shipped to:
MTI (attn: Your Name)
P.O. Box 1220 (421 State Hwy 105)
Palmer Lake, CO 80133
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Transfers and Cancellations:
All deposits are non-refundable.
Any refunds or transfers will result in processing charges.
Regarding Compass & DAR:
A requested transfer between programs will result in the loss of your deposit and requires an additional deposit before the new requested registration is confirmed.
Cancellation more than four weeks before the start of your program will result in the loss of your deposit.
Cancellation or transfer less than two weeks before the start of your program will result in the loss of your deposit and 50% of your total bill. The additional fee will be deducted from any program payment monies already collected, billed to your credit card on file or billed to your agency.
You will be charged the full amount of the program if you fail to cancel before the first day of your program.
Regarding all other MTI events:
Any cancellation of your registration for an MTI event will result in the loss of the deposit. If no deposit was made, a charge of $150 per adult will be assessed.
No refunds will be issued for cancellations within 30 days of the starting date of the event.
Transfers are not available for MTI events.
Registration & Logistics
Familes & Children
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Depending on capacity, families are housed in adjacent rooms with an adjoining door. Pack-n-plays are provided for children two and under.
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Yes! MTI has a large playground, climbing rocks, and a covered area for smaller children. We also have outdoor toys, balls, games, scooters, and bicycles.
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Throughout DAR, children will participate in the CHildren’s Intercultural Program (CHIPs). CHIP’s objectives parallel those of the DAR adult objectives, creating natural talking points that allow families to continue processing together.
Learn more about CHIPs and view a sample children's program schedule here!