Mobilization training for christian leaders
May 13-16, 2025
Ridgecrest Retreat Center
North Carolina
How can we send more missionaries to impact the world for Jesus? Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains near Asheville, NC, this 4 day training and retreat has been designed for mobilizers, missionaries, pastors, missions committee members, and anyone wanting to learn, network, rest, pray, dream, and strategize together. With some of the country’s leading experts on recruiting and sending new missionaries, this could be exactly what you need to take your mobilization efforts to the next level.
Cost: $340
Meals are included in the retreat registration cost.
Lodging is NOT included in the retreat registration cost. Lodging should be reserved separately when you register for the retreat.
Retreat Schedule
Tuesday, May 13th
5pm - Check In
6pm - Welcome
6:30pm - Dinner
7:30 - 8:30 pm - Worship/Teaching - Justin Schell - Biblical Basis of Missions
Wednesday, May 14th
8am - Breakfast
9am - Worship/Teaching - Justin Schell - Biblical Basis of Missions
10am - Launch Survey Results/How God is Calling People - Katie White
11:30am - How to Use Stories to Mobilize - Dave Jacob
12:30pm - Lunch
1pm - Healthy Rhythms for Mobilizers - Mark Stebbins
2:30pm - Team Time/Free Time
6pm - Dinner
7pm - Spiritual Retreat Session/Activity
8pm - Team Time/Free Time
Thursday, May 15th
8am - Breakfast
9am - Worship/Teaching - Justin Schell - Biblical Basis of Missions
10am - Spiritual Retreat Activity
12pm - Lunch
1pm - Coaching People through Barriers - Paige Williams and Kayla Willadsen
2pm - Break
3pm - Gen Z Panel. Ask Gen Zers about missions and mobilization.
4pm - Team Time/Free Time
6pm - Dinner
7pm - Spiritual Retreat Session/Activity
8pm - Team Time/Free Time
Friday, May 16th
8am - Breakfast
9am - Mobilizing Churches - Pastor Adrian Reeves
10am - Commissioning Service
11am - Departure
Check out our speakers
Dave Jacob
The Neuroscience of Story: How to use Stories to Mobilize People to Action
Dave Jacob is a missions mobilization practitioner, researcher, trainer, and consultant. He is the Founder and President of Gospel Mobilization, a ministry dedicated to resourcing, training, and coaching missions mobilizers. He has trained hundreds of mobilizers from all over the world. Previously, he spent 7 years as the Chair of the Intercultural Studies department at Trinity Bible College and Graduate School in Ellendale, ND, where he used education and inspiration to mobilize students to the nations. Dave is also the Director of Mobilization at World Gospel Mission, an inter-denominational missions-sending agency based in Marion, Indiana. From 2008-2014, he and his family served as missionaries in a sensitive country in Northern Asia. Dave is the author of It’s Your Call: To a Missional or Missionary Life, and the host of the Gospel Mobilization Podcast. He has a Master of Arts degree in Missional Leadership and loves to read books about missions, spiritual formation, and neurotheology. He also enjoys gardening, camping, kayaking, and roasting his own coffee beans outside over fire.
Adrian Reeves
Mobilizing Churches
Adrian Reeves is a missions mobilizer and Executive Director for the National African American Missions Council, a conglomerate of missionaries, churches, and missions agencies working to increase African American involvement in the Great Commission. Additionally, he serves as the Executive Pastor for Christ Kingdom Church in Prince George’s County, Maryland where he oversees the Christian Education, Evangelism, Worship, Administration, and Family Life ministries. Having accepted the Lord Jesus Christ at the age of 12; Pastor Reeves has served the local church in various capacities: Youth Pastor, Trustee, Prison Ministry Coordinator, and Camp Director. He majored in Sociology at the University of Maryland College Park receiving the Hillman Entrepreneurs Scholarship Award. His experience in human resources and non-profit management have allowed him to train ministry and marketplace leaders for positive cultural impact. Pastor Reeves is passionate about establishing healthy structures and strategies for organizations and institutions to thrive in an ever-changing environment. He is married to the delightful Lady Niesha Reeves and they have two wonderful children Adonis and Nyazia whom are both musically gifted. Recently he has established a new platform called “The Table of Brotherhood” to foster racial healing and create a safe space for Christians to address race issues and solutions from a Kingdom perspective. He sums up his life’s work reminding himself “Only what you do for Christ will last.”
Justin Schell
The Biblical Basis of Missions
Justin will also serve as our pastor for the retreat. He and his wife (a biblical counselor) will be available to talk and counsel with attendees.
Justin A. Schell is the Director of Younger Leaders Generation for the Lausanne Movement as well as the US Director for Union, a UK-based ministry training gospel ministers for the church and her mission.
He studied missiology and biblical theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, business administration and global leadership at EDHEC Business School in Nice, France, and is currently completing a PhD in Christian Mission. He mobilized with The Traveling Team for 5 years, served on a church planting team in North Africa with PIONEERS, and teaches and coaches on mission within churches, institutions, and courses. He is the author of two books on mission including Come and See: A History and Theology of Mission and the newly released The Mission of God and the Witness of the Church. He is husband to Megan and daddy to Henry and Evelyn. They are members of Evergreen Church in Oklahoma, USA.
Mark Stebbins
Having Healthy Rhythms
Mark Stebbins has been on staff with Navigators for 40 years, including 10 years in Ghana. He served 12 years as Director for Short-term Missions and Director for International Mobilization and Recruitment for the U.S. Navigators. He currently serves as Missions Director for the U.S. Collegiate Navigators. He is also a Mission Advisor with Missio Nexus for Mobilization.
katy white
Results of the 2025 Launch Survey: How God is Calling People to the Missions Field
Katy White is Vice President of Goer Experience and a mobilizer with GoCorps - a missions organization that helps young adults find two-year global placements to use their degree overseas. She is passionate about helping the emerging generations find their place in God's global work, and equipping other leaders to do the same! She is the coauthor of Mobilizing Gen Z and a new upcoming book, Tithe Your Career: Following Jesus Among the Nations in Your First Years After College.
Kayla Willadsen
Coaching People Through Barriers
Kayla Willadsen began working at JAARS (Jungle Aviation and Relay Service) in 2021 and currently serves as the Next Gen Programs Manager. She oversees the JAARS Interns and Fellows programs, which provide an opportunity for college students and recent college grads to use their skills and talents to further God's kingdom while growing professionally, personally, and spiritually. Kayla studied applied linguistics and missiology at Moody Bible Institute, and she uses her knowledge of and passion for missions to encourage and equip young adults to find their place in God's global work. She and her husband Robert (who also works at JAARS) enjoy camping, taking walks with their Ausky, tackling home improvement projects, and collecting hobbies -- most recently, vermiculture and 3D printing.
Paige Williams
Coaching People Through Barriers
Paige Williams is the Director of Recruitment & Next Gen Initiatives at JAARS, where she combines her passion for mobilizing the next generation with over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector. Holding a degree in Biblical Studies and Psychology from Welch College, Paige has a rich background in ministry, having served as a bivocational youth minister in Utah alongside her husband for nearly nine years. With her extensive experience and compassionate heart, Paige is well-equipped to inspire and support the next generation as they explore future career callings. Outside of work, Paige loves birdwatching, reading, and spending time with her husband Lyle and their 14-year-old Golden Retriever, Daisy.
