To learn about the retreat read the magazine article and look at testimonies from past participants. You may also view the four-minute video. The retreat schedule includes worship, life-changing speakers, small group discussions and prayer, Q&A with missionary mentors, bookstore, personal reflection and prayer.

The retreat fee covers handouts, three light meals Saturday, Sunday continental breakfast, and sleeping accommodations.

For the Oklahoma and Illinois retreats spring 2008 early bird registration cost is $85 per full-time student, $105 per nonstudent. If you register less then ten days in advance then cost is $105 per full-time student, $125 per nonstudent. 

For the California and Georgia retreats fall 2008 the cost will be posted here in August.

To register please complete our Contact Form.

Everyone who participates in the retreat will stay overnight on site even if you do live nearby.

For the Oklahoma retreat all singles will have a bunk bed; bring a sleeping bag and pillow. For married couples in Oklahoma host homes are not available; husbands may sleep in the male dorm and wives sleep in the female dorm.  Note: sometimes married couples prefer an offsite motel room where they can stay Friday and Saturday nights to process issues privately during free time in the retreat schedule. Each couple that reserves and pays for their own offsite motel will receive a $50 refund of their registration fee at retreat check-in. For Oklahoma you may consider Turner Falls Inn (about $65/night; five minute walk away) or Mountain View Motel (about $50/night, two mile drive away).

For the Illinois retreat each single will have a single bed and share a room; married couples will have a private room but the bathroom is down the hall. Pillow, sheets and blanket are provided. Please bring your own toiletries.

Is the cost a hindrance to you coming? Don’t let money keep you from discovering your journey into God’s plan. If you don’t have the funds, but you do have the desire to learn more about missions and how to bring the glory of God to the nations, then ask the Lord to provide.

Go to your pastor or campus minister and request a meeting. Share your desire to explore long-term missions and ask for financial help you go to the retreat. Even if you have only been attending for a short time, they will probably still want to help you. Also consider a friend in your church or a parent. Invite them to invest in you and your potential life in missions.

Cast a large vision; don’t just ask them to pay for a retreat. You are a worthy investment. They are not giving you a handout, and you are not begging. The Great Commission is the most worthy vocation on the planet, and investing in potential missionaries is a strategic investment in God’s Kingdom. This is their offering to the Lord, and you receive it from the Lord. If you have this perspective then you will understand why the Apostle Paul asked the Lord to provide and then asked people to give. The body of Christ is God’s instrument.

Checks are tax-deductible when made payable to Heartland Missions Association and mailed c/o John McVay, 7600 S Lewis Ave, Tulsa, OK 74136.

Special thanks for the above comments from John with The BodyBuilders, a ministry that gives vision, equipping, and mobilization to the body of Christ to help fulfill the Great Commission. For more attend their training seminar "Boot Camp for Personal Support Raising." Visit www.TheBodyBuilders.net.

You can tell a friend using our example email, handout, or video.

Prospective missionaries come from a variety of ages and life stages. A key part of the retreat are the small groups which meet four times during the weekend with the same missionary mentor. Typically we have the following small groups: singles in their 20s and 30s (usually the largest age bracket), college students, couples in their 20s and 30s, high school seniors, singles and couples over 40 (the smallest but most experienced age bracket). We do not have accommodations or a program for children. The four-minute video shows the various age groups though the interviews do not include the older adults who were too shy for the camera.

Ask God to prepare your heart. Read most or all of the first nine articles in the workbook Send Me: Your Journey to the Nations. If you have the book see pages 15-32. Or read these articles online in the section titled Charting the Course. Or you can download the entire book as a 17 MB pdf file and print pdf pages 7-24. Invite friends and family to join you in prayer:
- Pray for the prospective missionaries coming to connect with the Lord, experienced missionaries, and each other.
- Pray for clear minds, open hearts, and physical health and endurance of each participant.
- Pray for safe travel for all involved.
- Pray for wisdom, grace, and patience for the speakers and staff.
- Ask the Lord of the Harvest to send forth workers into His harvest fields.

Optional: occasionally some participants like to print the nine-page guide to the small group discussions and answer some of those questions in advance. Note: most people just receive the guide at the retreat and work on it there.

This is just a weekend so be practical, but don't forget your basics. These items you will certainly need.
- Bible
- Notebook & Pen
- Illinois, California & Georgia: pillow, sheets and blanket are provided so you don't need to bring these.
- Oklahoma: sleeping bag & pillow (exception: married couples staying offsite in a motel)
- Soap, Shampoo, Towel, etc.
- Flashlight
- Casual clothes only
- Any questions you want to ask the missionary mentors
- Money to buy snacks or books (checks or cash, no credit cards). If you have already have the workbook Send Me bring it (Send Me may also be available at the retreat to purchase.)
- Note: married couples may need to pack separate bags depending on the housing option they select.
- Optional: a digital camera or mini-DV camcorder if you're willing to take some shots that could be added to our website or promo video. Please also bring a cable so a copy can be downloaded to The Journey Deepens computer at the retreat.
- Mentors: for prayer bring one topic (including three prayer points) and one photo (on thumbdrive or CD)
- Print this page with directions below to the retreat location
(Hint: click on all answers you need on paper and then use your browser print button.)

Everyone who participates in the retreat will stay overnight on site even if you do live nearby. Prospective missionaries and missionary mentors will be housed in separate male and female dorms which have heat and air conditioning.

For the Oklahoma retreat all singles will have a bunk bed; bring a sleeping bag and pillow. For married couples in Oklahoma host homes are not available; husbands may sleep in the male dorm and wives sleep in the female dorm.  Note: sometimes married couples prefer an offsite motel room where they can stay Friday and Saturday nights to process issues privately during free time in the retreat schedule. Each couple that reserves and pays for their own offsite motel will receive a $50 refund of their registration fee at retreat check-in. For Oklahoma you may consider Turner Falls Inn (about $65/night; five minute walk away) or Mountain View Motel (about $50/night, two mile drive away).

For the Illinois retreat each single will have a single bed and share a room; married couples will have a private room but bathroom is down the hall. Pillow, sheets and blanket are provided. Please bring your own toiletries.

The retreat begins on Friday at 7 pm with check-in 5-7 pm. (Missionary mentors check-in and meet Friday at 3 pm.) Dinner is not available Friday night so eat before you come. The retreat concludes around 12.30 pm on Sunday after cleanup and Sunday lunch is not provided. (Missionary mentors debrief and leave Sunday at 2 pm). We will all have three light meals together on Saturday and continental breakfast together on Sunday.

Please select a flight that arrives Friday before 5 pm and departs Sunday after 3pm.  (Missionary mentors should arrive Friday around noon and depart Sunday after 4.30 pm.)

For the Oklahoma retreat select a flight to the Oklahoma City airport (OKC). To reserve a seat in the volunteer vehicle between the airport and retreat center please indicate your interest via the Contact Us form and be ready to give some money for gas.

For the Illinois retreat select a flight to Chicago O'Hare airport (ORD). Note: do not select Midway. When you arrive at O'Hare collect your bags and proceed to the Bus/Shuttle Center and buy an $18 one-way ticket for the 35 minute ride to Elgin on Coach USA Airport Express. No reservations required.  We suggest you do not pay for a return ride at this time. The shuttle departs at 12p, 1.30p, 3.30p, 4.30p, 5.30p, 7.30p, etc. As soon as your bus leaves O'Hare call (918)748-1713 x1 (this number will be forwarded to The Journey Deepens cell phone) and someone from our conference host, International Teams, will meet your bus at the drop-off in Elgin: Country Inn & Suites.

If you prefer a taxi (about $60 one-way via American Taxi 847-255-9600), get a ride to the conference host, International Teams, southeast of the junction of I-90 and Hwy 31 in Elgin, at 411 West River Road.

About a week before the retreat begins we'll send email addresses of others coming from your area so you can consider sharing a ride together.

For the Illinois retreat we are using the conference facilities of International Teams, just south of Interstate 90 and just east of State Highway 31 in Elgin, Illinois.

If it looks like you will arrive Friday after 9 pm or if you need directions please call (918) 748-1713 x1 (this number will be forwarded to The Journey Deepens cell phone). Dinner is not served Friday (except for mentors in Illinois) so you may want to eat in advance.  Remember: space is limited at the retreat and pre-registration is required.

For driving directions enter your starting address from inside this link to 411 W River Road, Elgin, Illinois. Their office phone is 847-429-0900. As you enter the parking lot you will see the main building. Parking is in a horseshoe around the main building.

From the West: Follow I-90 to Elgin, and take the Route 31 south exit (just past the Elgin Toll Plaza; 40 cent toll). Once you merge onto Rt. 31 you must immediately get into the left lane in order to turn left onto West River Road (first stop light). West River Road passes by Judson University and curves right. You will see International Teams on the right.

From the East: Follow I-90 to Elgin, and take the Route 31 south exit (just before the Elgin Toll Plaza; 80 cent toll). Once you merge onto Rt. 31 you must immediately get into the left lane in order to turn left onto West River Road (first stop light). West River Road passes by Judson University and curves right. You will see International Teams on the right.

From the North: Follow Route 31 south into Elgin, and go under the I-90 overpass. Turn left onto West River Road (first stop light after I-90). West River Road passes by Judson University and curves right. You will see International Teams on the right.

From the South: Follow Route 31 north, until the stop light approximately 1/10 of a mile before the I-90 overpass. Turn right at this light onto West River Road. West River Road passes by Judson University and curves right. You will see International Teams on the right.

For the Oklahoma retreat we are renting the Turner Falls Youth Camp four miles south of Davis, Oklahoma (which does have a Pizza Hut, Subway, Sonic). This retreat center is 75 miles south of Oklahoma City and 130 miles north of Dallas. The camp office phone is (405) 478-1696.

If you're driving from Oklahoma City take I-35 south for about 1 hour. Take exit #51 and then turn right onto US 77 south. Travel about a mile and turn left at sign Newburn Center Youth Camp (Rt 1 - Box 54). After entering gate, veer left down hill to the conference building.

If you're driving from Dallas take I-35 north for about 1.5 hours. Take exit #51 and then turn left onto US 77 south. Travel about a mile and turn left at sign Newburn Center Youth Camp (Rt 1 - Box 54). After entering gate, veer left down hill to the conference building.

If you're driving from elsewhere use "Get Directions to this Location" from inside this link to Turner Falls, Oklahoma.  Take exit #51 and then turn south onto US 77. Travel about a mile and turn left at sign Newburn Center Youth Camp (Rt 1 - Box 54). After entering gate, veer left down hill to the conference building.