DEBRIEFING & RENEWAL (DAR)

Guided debriefing for individuals, couples, and families navigating transition after a season of cross-cultural ministry.

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Move forward

with hope.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Space to reflect, process, and renew.

The DAR program is designed for cross-cultural workers in seasons of transition. While many participants join us as they come off the field, DAR is equally valuable for those navigating other significant changes, such as preparing to return overseas, transitioning between locations or roles, shifting agencies, or walking through a season of furlough or uncertainty.

This program creates space to reflect on and interpret your experiences, while fostering personal renewal in the midst of change. It is not a curative program or a substitute for psychological counseling, but rather a guided opportunity to process the unique realities of cross-cultural life and ministry.

All MTI debriefing programs dedicate intentional time to grief, loss, and transition. You will engage in both group sessions and personal reflection, allowing space for both shared understanding and individual processing.

Sample Schedules

→ Adult Program Schedule

→ Children’s Intercultural Program (CHIPs) Schedule

Weekdays run 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. All meals are provided.

WHAT YOU’LL EXPERIENCE

Three invitations to renewal

Every aspect of DAR is designed to help you process where you’ve been and step into what’s next - with community and care.

Group processing

Process your story alongside others who understand the unique realities of cross-cultural life, even when your experiences are different.

Personal Reflection

Meet individually or as a couple with a trained debriefer to explore your unique story in a confidential setting.

Shared Community

Some of the most meaningful moments happen between sessions—over meals, around the firepit, or on a hike with people who simply understand.

“DAR creates space for missionaries to be known, to grieve well, and to move forward - with hope, honesty, and a renewed sense of who God made them to be.”

Mission Training International • Palmer Lake, Colorado

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Built for singles, couples, and 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.

A note for families with young adults:

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. 

GETTING STARTED

The registration process

Programs frequently fill early. Registration three months in advance is strongly encouraged.

01

Create your account

Complete a profile for each household member and select your preferred dates.

02

Application review

Our intake team reviews your application before moving to confirmation. Approval moved you forward.

03

Confirmation

A 10% deposit secures your placement. Remaining balance is due one month before the program begins.

ELIGIBILITY

Who is eligible to attend?

To participate in DAR, all individuals must meet the following criteria.

  • 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.

  • Compass requires whole-household participation. Families attend together as a shared experience, including children from six weeks old through high school graduation. This approach reflects the reality that overseas ministry impacts the entire family unit and prepares each member side by side. Married participants attend together as a couple. The program addresses relational dynamics, supports shared readiness for ministry, and provides space for individual growth.

  • DAR is designed for those returning from international cross-cultural ministry contexts, as these experiences often involve unique challenges related to cross-cultural living and global ministry. Participants should also have served in their ministry context for at least two years, allowing sufficient time for cultural adaptation and life integration so the debriefing process can meaningfully address the complexities of long-term cross-cultural service. If you believe your domestic service involved similar cross-cultural dynamics or circumstances, we encourage you to apply and explain your situation.

  • Item description

  • 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.

  • 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.

A large building with a green roof and beige exterior, featuring multiple windows and stone accents, surrounded by a grassy landscape and hills. In front of the building, there is a playground and patio area.

LIFE ON CAMPUS

Home in the Colorado Rockies

Located in Palmer Lake, Colorado, our campus is a place of warmth, community, and natural beauty - a fitting environment to prepare for a life of cross-cultural adventure.

    • Each room features a bed, desk, dresser, and private bathroom. Depending on capacity, families are housed in adjacent rooms with an adjoining door. Pack-n-plays are provided for children two and under.

    • 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 with washers and dryers.

    • Our kitchen staff works to prepare food options that allow for 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.

    • We have a largeplayground, climbing rocks, and a covered area for smaller children. We also have outdoor toys, balls, games, scooters, and bicycles.

    • Trails encircling campus and a disc golf course on site

    • Walking distance from the Santa Fe Trail

    • Driving distance from several hikes

    • Elevation: 7,225 feet - pack layers, drink penty of water

    • Weather can change dramatically - come prepared with layers

View our Facility!

TRAVEL & LOGISTICS

Planning your trip

  • ‍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

    • ‍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.

  • 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

  • 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.

    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.

  • 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

Ready to move forward?

Register for DAR today and take the first step toward renewal after your time on the field.

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