Missionary debriefing is a guided reflective process that helps cross-cultural workers process their ministry experiences, identify losses, and understand how those experiences have impacted them emotionally, spiritually, and relationally. Debriefing is not counseling, this distinction is important.

Debriefing focuses on reflection and processing. It helps you tell your story, name your losses, work through grief, and gain perspective. Debriefing is for people processing difficult experiences; it's preventative member care that helps you process before small issues become major crises.

Counseling is clinical therapy that addresses diagnosed mental health conditions, treats psychological issues like depression or anxiety disorders, and provides therapeutic interventions for specific areas requiring professional clinical treatment.

Think of it this way: debriefing helps you understand and process what you've been through; counseling treats mental health conditions that have developed as a result of what you've been through. Both are valuable, but they serve different purposes at different times.

Debriefing is not designed for burnout. This is important to understand because many people come to us wondering if debriefing will solve their exhaustion and depletion.

If you're currently experiencing burnout symptoms like chronic exhaustion, emotional depletion, cynicism, detachment from ministry, loss of effectiveness, you likely need extended rest, time completely away from ministry responsibilities, and professional counseling before debriefing would be helpful. Burnout requires more than a week of reflection. It needs clinical counseling or therapy to address the underlying causes, an extended sabbatical or leave from all ministry responsibilities, organizational or situational changes to reduce chronic stress factors, and physical and emotional rest over weeks or months, not days.

However, debriefing can be helpful after addressing acute burnout. Once you've had substantial rest and received counseling, debriefing helps you process what led to the burnout, work through the losses you experienced, understand the impact on your faith and calling, and prepare for healthy re-entry to ministry if that's where God is leading. If you're not sure whether you need counseling or debriefing, please contact us. We can help you discern the right type of care for your current situation and may refer you to appropriate counseling resources if that's what you need first.

At Compass Asia, we use the Exchange at the Cross debriefing model developed by Le Rucher Ministries. This is a biblically based approach that follows Jesus' encounter with two discouraged disciples on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:13-35.

After the crucifixion, two disciples were walking away from Jerusalem, grieving and confused about everything that had happened. Jesus walked alongside them (though they didn't recognize Him at first), listened to their story without judgment, helped them process their grief and disappointment, and gradually gave them new perspective on what had happened. By the end of the journey, their eyes were opened and their hearts were transformed, not because Jesus gave them quick answers, but because He created space for them to tell their story and encounter truth in the midst of their pain.

The Exchange at the Cross model creates this same sacred space over five full days. The process is cumulative; each day builds on the previous one, moving slowly and intentionally through your story. This is why five full days without distractions are essential. Grief and loss can't be rushed, trust takes time to develop, and your heart needs space to move from guarded to open, from surface-level to honest depth.

The Exchange at the Cross debriefing process requires five full days without distractions. This timing is essential, not arbitrary, and understanding why helps you prepare well for the experience.

Each day includes two to three hours of one-on-one debriefing sessions with your trained debriefer, three or more hours of personal reflection time for working through tools, prayer, rest, and processing, and unrushed space for your heart to open, for grief to surface, and for God to speak. The model is designed as a cumulative process where each day builds on the previous one.

Why does it take five days? Because grief and loss can't be rushed. Deep processing of accumulated losses over years of ministry requires more than a quick conversation. The transformation that happens when you're given unhurried time with the Lord and your own story needs space to unfold. Proper closure and perspective before returning to normal life needs time.

Shorter formats don't allow adequate time for these deeper movements of the heart. To receive maximum benefit from debriefing, plan to set aside five complete days focused solely on reflection, rest, and processing with God. This means arranging your schedule so you can be fully present without ministry demands, emails, or other distractions pulling at your attention.

Before your debriefing, we encourage you to begin prayerfully considering what you need to bring before the Lord. This isn't about having everything figured out; debriefing will help you discover what you're carrying. But spending time in prayer beforehand helps prepare your heart to engage honestly with your story.

Consider a specific period of time you'd like to process. This could be your most recent term of service, working back from today to when the term began. It might be a specific, difficult season or transition that still feels unresolved. As you pray, ask the Lord to bring to mind what things you need to bring before the Lord.

You don't need to arrive with everything organized or understood. Debriefing will provide the structure, tools, and guidance to help you process. Simply come with a willingness to be honest about what you've experienced and an openness to let God meet you in your story. Practically, this means arranging your schedule so you can be fully present for five days without ministry demands or distractions, letting your team or organization know you'll be unavailable for the week. Most importantly, come ready to rest, reflect, and be gentle with yourself.

We offer two options for in-person Exchange at the Cross debriefing, plus an online option if traveling isn't possible.

Most of our debriefings take place at peaceful retreat locations on Penang Hill in Malaysia, providing a distraction-free environment surrounded by natural beauty. Penang is known for its warm hospitality, cultural diversity, and tranquil spaces for reflection. Retreat space for debriefing includes five full days of one-on-one sessions, accommodation at the retreat center, meals during your stay, all debriefing materials and tools, and personal space for reflection, rest, and prayer.

If you're already in Penang or prefer to arrange your own accommodation, we offer debriefing sessions where we meet for the five days of processing without providing lodging.

If traveling to Penang isn't possible, we offer the full five-day Exchange at the Cross debriefing experience via secure video conferencing. Online debriefing follows the same model with daily three-hour sessions plus personal reflection time.

We recommend applying at least one month in advance to allow time for scheduling and preparation.

We do not offer couples or family debriefing. The Exchange at the Cross model is designed specifically for individual processing, and we've found this is most effective for deep reflection and healing.

Each person's cross-cultural experience is unique, even when you've served in the same location on the same team. Your losses, your grief, your reactions to stress and transition are deeply personal. Individual debriefing allows you the freedom to process your own story.

However, if both you and your spouse need debriefing, we can schedule two separate individual debriefing sessions simultaneously. You would each work with a different trained debriefer, processing your own journey individually. Many couples find this approach leads to deeper personal insights and healthier conversations because each person has had space to do their own work with the Lord.

Yes. Scholarships are available based on genuine financial need. We never want finances to prevent you from receiving the member care you need.

We understand that many missionaries serve without salaries or with limited support. We've walked this road ourselves and know the financial pressures of ministry. We ask that you be honest about your financial situation when you apply, request the level of scholarship assistance you truly need, and trust that God will provide for your debriefing.

Our priority is your care, not your ability to pay. If finances are a barrier, please don't let that stop you from applying. Contact us, and we'll work together to find a solution.

Ideal times for debriefing include after completing a ministry term, ideally four to six weeks after leaving the field once initial jet lag and logistics are settled; during major transitions like changing countries, teams, organizations, or ministry roles; following critical incidents such as evacuations, natural disasters, team crises, or ministry failures; before or during furlough or home assignment to process your field experience before re-entry; when preparing to retire from cross-cultural ministry and needing closure on your journey; or when you recognize unprocessed grief that's affecting your effectiveness, relationships, or walk with God.

The best time to debrief is when you can step away from active ministry to focus fully on reflection and processing. This means you're not in the middle of a crisis that requires immediate attention, you're not in severe burnout requiring extended rest and counseling first, and you can commit to being fully present for five days without ministry responsibilities pulling at you. We recommend applying as soon as you can in advance to allow time for matching you with the right debriefing team and preparing space for your stay.

Penang is easily accessible by direct flights from several major Asian hubs, including Kuala Lumpur with multiple daily flights taking about one hour, Singapore with multiple daily flights taking about one and a half hours, and Bangkok with several flights weekly taking about two hours.

Penang International Airport is approximately thirty to forty minutes from our retreat locations. We'll provide detailed travel tips and local transportation options once your debriefing is confirmed. Many global workers find Penang an ideal location for debriefing because it's centrally located in Southeast Asia, culturally diverse with English widely spoken, and offers a peaceful island setting that feels removed from the intensity of the field. The natural beauty and slower pace of Penang Hill create an atmosphere conducive to reflection and rest.

Yes, with some important considerations about timing and coordination.

If you're currently in ongoing counseling for mental health issues like depression, anxiety, or trauma, we recommend coordinating with your counselor before scheduling debriefing. Debriefing can complement counseling, but the timing matters. Your counselor can help you discern whether now is the right time for intensive reflection on your cross-cultural experiences or whether you need to continue focusing on stabilization first.

If you're in crisis counseling or experiencing acute mental health symptoms, we recommend waiting until you're more stable before pursuing debriefing. Debriefing requires emotional and mental capacity to engage with your story reflectively, and it's not designed for those in acute crisis who need immediate clinical intervention. Debriefing and counseling can work well together when you've made progress in counseling and are ready to process your broader ministry story, your counselor agrees the timing is appropriate, and you're stable enough to engage reflectively rather than in crisis mode.

Contact us if you have questions about whether debriefing is right for you while receiving other forms of care. We want to make sure you receive the appropriate type of support for where you are in your journey.

Bring comfortable clothing appropriate for Penang's tropical climate, any personal items you need for the week, and if helpful, photos, journals, or other reminders from your time on the field. These aren't required but some people find visual reminders helpful for working through their life path.

More importantly, bring an open heart, a willingness to be honest about your story, and space in your schedule to be fully present without distractions. Plan to disconnect from email, ministry responsibilities, and other demands so you can focus entirely on your own processing and encounter with God. Bring your Bible, a journal if you like to write, and any questions or concerns that have been weighing on you. Everything else we'll provide.

We encourage you to apply as soon as you know you'd like to schedule debriefing, even six to eight months in advance. Early applications help us prepare well for your arrival, match you with the right debriefing team, and ensure we can accommodate your preferred dates.

Debriefings are personalized and we limit the number we offer each month to ensure quality care. Availability is first-come, first-served, so applying early ensures the best chance of securing your desired timeframe. If you're planning around furlough dates, team transitions, or other fixed timelines, we recommend reaching out as soon as possible.