You Don't Have to Figure it all out on Your Own.

Rooted: An ATCK Debrief & Transition Retreat

August 8–14, 2027

Spaces Limited

in partnership with and hosted at the offices of:
Avant Ministries
10000 N Oak Trafficway,
Kansas City, Missouri

Growing up overseas shapes you in ways that can be difficult to explain. Returning to the United States, starting college, and stepping into adulthood can bring new opportunities, but they can also leave you wondering where you belong and what to do with everything you've experienced.

Rooted is a retreat for adult Third Culture Kids (ATCKs) who grew up in missionary families and are navigating the transition into adulthood. It's an opportunity to slow down, make sense of your story, connect with others who understand, and explore what comes next.

You don't need to have everything figured out before you arrive. Come as you are, with your questions, your experiences, and your story.

And this transition offers an incredible opportunity
for their growth and renewal.

Space is Limited - Register Today!

What you can expect:

  • Understand Your Story

    Explore how growing up across cultures has shaped your identity, relationships, values, and sense of belonging. Make space for both the gifts and the challenges of your experiences.

  • Process Transition

    Reflect on leaving familiar places, navigating changing relationships, and adjusting to a culture that may be your passport culture but still feel unfamiliar. Give yourself permission to acknowledge what you've gained and what you've lost.

  • Build Meaningful Community

    Connect with other ATCKs who understand the unique experience of growing up overseas. Develop relationships where you can share your story without having to explain every detail.

  • Navigate Young Adulthood

    Explore the practical and relational challenges of college life and adulthood in the United States. Consider how to build friendships, find community, manage greater independence, and carry your cross-cultural strengths into the future.

  • Make Space for Honest Questions

    Reflect on your faith, values, and future without needing to have every answer. Whether your faith feels strong, complicated, or uncertain, you are welcome to bring your honest questions into the conversation.

  • Rest, Have Fun, and Connect

    A meaningful transition retreat isn't only about difficult conversations. There will also be time to relax, enjoy activities together, laugh, and build friendships with people who understand your world.

Who Is This For?

Rooted is designed for adult Third Culture Kids who grew up in missionary families and have graduated from high school. It is especially intended for college-aged and young adult MKs navigating the transition into adulthood whether that is college, entering the workforce, or still trying to figure it all out..

You might be preparing to leave your overseas home, adjusting to life in the United States, starting college, or trying to make sense of your upbringing years after returning.

You don't have to be struggling in an obvious way to benefit. You might be doing well academically and socially while still feeling disconnected, grieving relationships, or wondering where you belong. You might have questions about your upbringing that you've never had the opportunity to explore.

You don't need to arrive with the right words for your experiences. This is a space to spend some time exploring them.

Meet Your Facilitators

  • Ian Worstell

    Ian serves as TRAIN International's Associate Director of TCK Care. Having grown up as a missionary kid himself, Ian understands that growing up overseas shapes more than where someone has lived. It influences identity, relationships, faith, and the way a person experiences home and belonging.

    Ian has been part of TRAIN since 2020 and has been married to his wife, Bre, for eight years. Together, they have two adorable children. Ian's desire is to create spaces where missionary kids are seen, valued, and supported as they navigate cross-cultural life and transition. He cares deeply about helping ATCKs make sense of their stories and discover that they don't have to navigate the next season alone.

  • David and Jennifer Kruse

    David and Jennifer Kruse bring 28 years of ministry experience and a deep understanding of the unique joys and challenges of raising children across cultures. They raised their six children in Southeast Asia and Germany, where they spent eight years serving as dorm parents at Black Forest Academy. During that time, they had the privilege of walking alongside 64 dorm sons through some of their formative years.

    After returning to the U.S. in 2023, they spent two years working with college students and young adult MKs through Avant Ministries. Their passion is to see TCKs thrive in body, soul, and spirit as they navigate the journey into adulthood. They care deeply about walking alongside TCKs, helping them grow strong in who they are and flourish in the next season of life. David and Jennifer currently live in Nebraska.

Logistics

Dates: August 8–14, 2027

Location: 10000 N Oak Trafficway, Kansas City, Missouri

Cost: $685

We will meet from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, concluding around noon on Saturday. Registration and check-in will take place on Sunday from 3:00–5:00 p.m., followed by dinner.

Room and board are fully included. Three meals a day, along with snacks, will be provided from Sunday dinner through Saturday breakfast. Accommodations are in the retreat center, with both single-occupancy and shared rooms available. Participants will also enjoy several off-campus activities, with activity expenses covered.

Participants are responsible for arranging transportation to and from the retreat. However, complimentary shuttle service will be available to and from the local airport.

Once you have registered and paid your deposit, you will receive a confirmation email with additional information to help you prepare for the retreat.

If you have questions please contact us at 417.625.1400 or admin@traininternational.org.

Space is Limited - Register Today!

FAQs

    • ATCK stands for Adult Third Culture Kid. A TCK is someone who spent a significant part of their childhood living in a culture different from their parents' passport culture. Many missionary kids grow up this way, developing relationships and a sense of belonging across cultures.

    • As TCKs enter adulthood, they may continue to navigate questions about identity, home, relationships, and belonging. An ATCK retreat provides intentional space to explore these experiences.

  • Rooted is designed for missionary kids who grew up overseas, have graduated from high school, and are entering or navigating adulthood.

  • No. While the retreat is especially relevant for young adults navigating college, returning to the United States, or adjusting to adulthood, you don't have to be in the middle of a move. You may find it helpful to reflect on your experiences even if you've been back in the United States for several years.

  • Each day will include a mix of learning sessions, interactive activities, and fun! We’ll have opportunities to learn and process together in the mornings and afternoons, with outings to explore local attractions throughout the week. There will also be plenty of downtime to relax, connect, and build friendships with other ATCKs who understand your experiences. We'll explore topics such as identity, belonging, relationships (including dating!), transition, entry difficulties, building community, faith and navigating adulthood.

  • Housing and meals are included in the cost of the debrief, thanks to our generous partnership with Avant! Participants will stay in shared rooms at the Avant retreat center in Kansas City. Three meals a day, along with snacks and coffee, will be provided throughout the week starting with supper on Sunday and breakfast on Saturday. We’ll send out a packing list with everything you’ll need to bring as the event gets closer.

  • Kansas City International Airport (MCI) is the best option for most travelers. It offers a wide range of domestic and international flights and is approximately 10 minutes from the Avant retreat center, depending on traffic. We are available to help shuttle participants to and from this airport

  • No. Rooted is a facilitated retreat focused on reflection, learning, connection, and personal growth. It is not a substitute for professional counseling or mental health care. Participants who need additional support may find the retreat a helpful opportunity to recognize questions they want to explore further.

  • Yes. Rooted is a Christian retreat hosted by TRAIN International. Faith and spiritual reflection are part of the experience, and we recognize that ATCKs may be in very different places in their faith journeys. You are welcome to bring honest questions and doubts. You don't need to have everything figured out before you arrive.

  • We are an independent and unaffiliated training organization.

    We have the privilege of serving a great variety of agencies, churches, and denominations.

  • You might be wondering if you really need a debrief, especially if you feel like you’ve adjusted well or are ready to move on to the next chapter of life. The truth is, you don’t have to be struggling to benefit from this experience.

    Growing up between cultures shapes how you see yourself, build relationships, understand faith, and find a sense of belonging. This retreat is an opportunity to slow down, reflect on your story, process experiences you may not have had space to explore, and connect with others who understand what it’s like to grow up between worlds.

    Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by transition, curious about your cultural identity, or simply looking for community with people who get it, this week is a chance to better understand yourself and move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

    You don't have to have everything figured out before you come. Just come as you are!