A cross-cultural resiliency training experience
Adelante is a holistic assessment, training and coaching experience for workers living and serving cross-culturally, who have been in their current context between 1-5 years.
Backpacking Essentials
In the intentional vision of aiding cross-cultural workers to move healthily forward with resiliency, the Adelante event metaphorically acts as a full-service to ministry leaders in their critical, first 1-5 years of ministry. It’s base camp!
We chose the name “Adelante” as in Spanish this means “onward” or “forward”. At Adelante, leaders stop in their ministry trek for a longer rest, for refreshment, for restocking of supplies, to learn new skills, to gain perspective, to enjoy communal learning and table fellowship and, most importantly, to have time to connect with God in a quiet space with fellow workers before heading back out on the trail.
It is a key milestone along the journey for resiliency in ministry. By the end of the week, each participant will be able to identify and articulate his or her own personal “backpacking essentials” and needs for sustainability and resiliency going forward.
What can I expect?
Connection and co-learning with others in a similar season of cross-cultural ministry
Adelante is actually a nine month process! In addition to the input you’ll receive at the Adelante event, you will also receive sessions with one of the Adelante team before and after the event to help your personal resiliency goals take root. These sessions will be based on the Cerny-Smith Assessment (CSA). The most significant topics that take leaders off the field prematurely are covered in the training—including conflict resolution, expectations, theology of suffering, grief and loss, balancing family and ministry, and more…
Spiritual refreshment and soul care. Plenty of time is built into the week for rest and recharge! The Adelante team is also on hand to provide counselling, spiritual direction, coaching and healing prayer. We start each day in extended worship together and there are opportunities for exercise and outdoor activity built in during the week.
Geared to the whole family and singles. A high-quality children’s and youth program will be available throughout the week, addressing some of the key resiliency material of the training, but at an age-appropriate level. Families will be encouraged as well to process some of the materials together.
Rest and discovery in beautiful Southern Spain. Adelante takes place just a few minutes from the Mediterranean and there will be lots of time to both learn from and relax at the beach. The water is an important theme throughout the week as we reflect on and learn from Peter’s missionary journey.
Arrival: Thursday, 8th May 2025
Departure: Thursday, 15th May 2025
Location: Torre de Benagalbón, Málaga, Spain. Centro Ecuménico los Rubíos is a Christian retreat and training centre just a short walk from a beautiful and peaceful stretch of the Costa del Sol and less than thirty minutes from Málaga airport.
Full board and lodging prices for 2025
Board/lodging fees include seven nights’ accommodation in double or quadruple rooms. You can request a room on your own but we are not able to guarantee this will be possible. If this is a problem for you, please contact Ellie.covey@novo.org.
The price you pay includes: all materials, transportation, activities, children/teens program and an excursion to enjoy some of the beauty Spain has to offer! See details on excursions below. Additionally, this includes three meals per day (Spanish and international cuisine) and all snacks and drinks during the week.
| Early Bird Rate (pay your deposit by March 7th 2025) |
Normal Rate (by April 14th 2025) |
|
|---|---|---|
| per adult or child 12+ | € 770 | € 820 |
| per child 4-11 | € 520 | € 575 |
| Couple (with no children or under 4) | € 1,500 | € 1,600 |
| Family (couple + 1 paying child) | € 2,000 | € 2,100 |
| Family (couple + 2 paying children) | € 2,245 | € 2,345 |
| Family (couple + 3 or more paying children) | € 2,445 | € 2,545 |
Excursion
Included in your payment is an optional excursion one of the afternoons, covering transportation and entry fees as needed. That afternoon is considered a rest and recreation time. You can either join the group in exploring an “of site” location, or enjoy the beach and grounds of the centre where Adelante is held. Excursion locations may include and are not limited to:
Malaga city – often used just as an arrival point to the Costa del Sol, Malaga does have a lot to offer. It has a beautiful old quarter with an impressive cathedral, a Picasso museum (he was born here), a castle and fort offering spectacular views over the Mediterranean, beaches, good shopping and a newly-developed port area, among other things. For more information see the website malagaturismo.com/en
We will confirm the details of the excursion and your attendance approximately 1 month prior to Adelante.
ADDITIONAL COSTS: *Cerny-Smith Assessment
Each adult participant will also need to make one online purchase of the Cerny-Smith Assessment (CSA) for $50 one month before the event, and an optional second CSA purchase 6 months after the event (total of $100).
*Note: some organizations have discounts or access to the CSA assessment! Please check with your organization to see if they are able to provide you with an assessment free of charge or at a discounted rate.
Notes
Novo staff, please contact Ellie.covey@novo.org to learn more about the staff discount available to you for this event.
Please do not book flights until your application has been approved and deposit has been paid. Once you have received receipt of payment for your deposit, you may proceed with booking your flights for the event.
Babies/toddlers under 4 are free of charge whenever you book!
If you register before April 7th 2025, you may choose to pay just a deposit initially and your full balance later. Deposits are €100 for an individual or €200 for a couple/family.
Your final balance will be due for payment by April 7th 2025. If you pay by credit card, your full payment will be automatically charged to the details you provided for your deposit on April 7th 2025. If you register on April 7th 2025, you will need to pay the full balance straightaway.
Closing date for applications is April 7th 2025. Space is limited to 18 adult participants (depending on how many children there are too) so, to avoid disappointment, please do not leave applying to the last minute.
Normally all payments are non-refundable. If there is a need for us to cancel the event, we will refund any money paid.
Scholarships are available!
We try to keep the costs of Adelante as low as possible whilst still providing a quality event.
Please do not allow financial concerns to keep you from expressing interest in attending!
Information on potential financial assistance scholarships is available upon request by emailing Ellie.covey@novo.org
Travel to/from Adelante
Adelante will take place in Torre de Benalgalbón, about 30 minutes from Málaga airport. Málaga is well-served by many international carriers and connects with dozens of European countries with good onward connections to cities outside of Europe.
Transfers are available from the airport or Málaga’s Maria Zambrano train station on arrival day and departure day. These transfers are free of charge.
Please plan to arrive by 3pm at the airport or the train station on Thursday, 8th May 2025. If you are travelling by car, please plan to arrive at the event by 4pm.
You will be free to leave after breakfast on Thursday, 15th May 2025. Transfers will be available up until 12pm on this day.
STEP 1:
Application: Fill out the online application and wait for confirmation of approval by email from the Adelante team. Applications will be approved on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited!
Note: Novo staff, please also consult your supervisor when you fill out the application.
STEP 2:
You may pay a deposit now (100 euros for individuals or 200 for couples/families) and full balance by April 14th 2025, or you can pay in full straightaway.
Once you have received application approval from the Adelante team, you have two payment options:
1) You can either pay in US dollars by clicking on the PAY button below or you may pay in euros.
2) If you would like to pay in euros, please get in touch with us at maya.gancheva@novo.org.
Note: Novo staff, you may pay by internal transfer to fund 9806-01 (SentWell Adelante)
STEP 3:
Book flights or transportation: Once your application has been approved, you have registered and received receipt of payment for the event, you may proceed with booking your flights for the event.
Please plan to arrive, by 3pm (Spain time) at the latest at Malaga airport (or Maria Zambrano train station) on Thursday, 8th May 2025. If you are travelling by car directly to Centro Los Rubíos, please plan to arrive by 4pm.
You may plan your departing flight or train any time on Thursday, 15th May 2024.
“A great take-away was remembering to be in the deep places with God. Not to discount uncomfortable feelings as not important, or as ungodly. To pursue intimacy with God has become my priority and not to worry about difficult feelings, but to release them to God and to expect good things back from him.”