Thirty-four years in missions have taught me many important things, but somewhere near the top of that list is the truth that answering the call to follow Jesus is costly. Honestly, why would we think otherwise, when He told His followers, “In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33b)?

The reality though, is that we tend to think things will go well, that we will be healthy, our kids will make good choices, we’ll have amazing team relationships, our ministry will be effective and fruitful, and our marriages will be strong and resilient – all in the face of multiple pressures.

What happens when things don’t go as planned, when we DO “grow weary in doing good”, when we deal with a major crisis or a long-term, low-level draining of our physical/spiritual/emotional resources?

AIM US Member Care Department hopes to mitigate the impact of the many stressors our missionaries face on both sides of the ocean by providing opportunities for debriefing, refreshment, and renewal.

We recognize that missionaries returning from service, whether for home assignment or terminating, face a challenge as they seek to look back at their term of service in a healthy way, as well as look ahead to what is next . . . all while navigating reverse culture shock.

In our commitment to walk with you through this season, we offer you a chance to unpack your luggage – not all those action packers and duffel bags, fraying around the edges, but the emotional luggage you carry with you by virtue of living in a fallen world and serving our Father sacrificially.

The Waypoint Retreat draws heavily on the example of MTI’s excellent Debriefing and Renewal Retreat and, in fact, was inspired by my attendance at DAR just one month before I was asked to join the US office staff as Counseling Liaison. The dream that a high-quality debriefing experience could be accessible to ALL AIM missionaries was birthed at that time and continued to grow until January 2022 when the first Waypoint Retreat became a reality in Florida

The Waypoint Retreat week consists of certain key elements:

• Short, daily sessions of worship, devotions and teaching on topics research suggests are relevant for missionaries – stress, transition, grief and loss, soul care, and goodbyes
• Confidential, individual debriefing with a Debriefer trained in See Beyond’s debriefing model. (See Beyond: a professional debriefing ministry helping Christian workers to unpack their experiences, identify what’s unresolved, and take steps toward resolution and restoration.)
• Small group learning and sharing with the same Debriefer facilitating
• A schedule that offers time for respite and reflection
• An opportunity to hear and be heard with others who’ve had similar experiences
• A kids’ age-specific debriefing program from TCK Training. (TCK Training: an age-appropriate program (correlating to the adult program) that addresses their specific needs as TCKs. TCK Debriefers are trained through TCK Training or See Beyond.)
• It’s FUN! Chai times, and lots of optional activities that allow for connection with other missionary members and staff.