Honoring you during this time of transition.
There comes a time for every FOCUS missionary when they discern the Lord is calling them to a new mission field. Sometimes that’s grad school, a secular job or a religious vocation. Sometimes it’s a different role within the organization. When that day comes for you, the FOCUS Alumni team is here to support and encourage you in your transition. One of our favorite ways to do that is Go Forth.
Go Forth is a four-day commissioning event designed to honor you. We’ll celebrate the time you spent serving with FOCUS, give you space to process your experience, and equip you for your next steps in lifelong mission.
We do this through a daylong retreat, formative talks by expert alumni, a celebratory dinner, and time with FOCUS leadership. You will also have access to spiritual direction, career coaching and area networking to strengthen your confidence as you transition to your new adventure.
Join us May 5 – 8 for Go Forth 2025 in Breckenridge, CO.
Go Forth really set me up for success leaving FOCUS. I felt like I was being commissioned again to go out into the workforce to be a missionary wherever I am! I didn’t know what to expect, but it blew me away.
—Go Forth Participant
The Alumni team made me feel seen and appreciated — as well as confident — knowing that they are there to support me after my time on staff.
—Go Forth Participant
Go Forth gave me the opportunity to pray and reflect deeply on my entire experience as a FOCUS missionary. I felt extremely honored and appreciated by FOCUS leadership. I couldn’t have planned a better way to depart from FOCUS.
—Go Forth Participant
Eat, Pray & Enjoy
Monday is mostly travel, with check-in and an opening reception. Tuesday holds a daylong silent retreat for you to pray through your time with FOCUS, followed by gatherings with your area.
Wednesday we dive into some practicals as we hear from experienced alumni on prayer, friendship and mission post-campus. You’ll also attend a celebratory dinner with FOCUS leadership, and a crowd favorite, the Go Forth dance.
Thursday over breakfast, we’ll connect you with other alumni moving to similar geographic areas. We’ll then cap our week with a Commissioning Mass presided by Bishop Golka of the Diocese of Colorado Springs.
The Mountains Are Calling
Nestled in the Rockies at the beautiful Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center, Go Forth strives to be the right balance of retreat, vacation and training. The relaxed atmosphere helps attendees truly process their time on campus and prepare for their next chapter.
You’ll be responsible for booking and paying for your own travel, which can be expensed to your support team. Specific arrival and departure information will be provided in your post-registration confirmation email.
Powerful Experience at a Reduced Price
When you register for Go Forth, you receive three-night stay at Beaver Run, career services, formation, AND an extra month’s salary and benefits! Valued at over $4900, attendees only pay a fraction of that, plus their transportation costs.
Event pass plus room options include:
— Event Pass + 6-Person Shared Room: $500 (limited)
— Event Pass + 2-Person Shared Room: $600
— Event Pass + Private Room: $750
— Family Event Pass + Private Room: $800
You can pay for Go Forth by expensing it to your support team (the most common option), your current or future DSC team (with manager’s permission) or paying with a credit card (common if you’ve already left staff).
In order to qualify for the extra month’s pay, you must attend the entirety of Go Forth. There are no exceptions to this policy.
Event Details
Missionaries who are leaving staff have a traditional end date for employment and health insurance/retirement benefits of May 31, resulting in a final paycheck on June 15. Attending Go Forth will extend this deadline and your benefits to June 30, with your final paycheck being July 15.
The Go Forth 2025 schedule is currently being finalized. However, you can click below to view our most recent version, which is subject to change.
Fr. Dyer and Collegiate Outreach leadership are committed to getting you to Go Forth. If you’ve got a team scheduling conflict and need help navigating your options, reach out to your RD for assistance.Due to the intentional nature of the week, late arrivals and early departures are NOT permitted. Your presence for the entirety of Go Forth is also a requirement for your employment extension.If you’d like to discuss your unique circumstances, email [email protected] and an Alumni teammate will reach out.
If you’ve got a staff role with FOCUS this summer (TD training, Summer Projects, leading a Mission Trip, NST leadership, babysitter at NST, etc), you are still most welcome! All FOCUS departments know attendance at Go Forth is a priority for departing and transitioning staff, and are willing to work with you to make it happen.
If you need help navigating a conversation with your summer supervisor, please reach out to us at [email protected].
If you’ve got a staff role with FOCUS this summer and are already receiving employment extension, Go Forth will NOT double that. Your last day of employment and benefits with FOCUS will be June 30 (or your supervisor-approved later date), resulting in a last paycheck of July 15 (or equivalent time frame for longer employments).
The dress code is snappy casual (jeans with a nice top) plus Sunday Mass attire for the Commissioning Mass with Bishop Golka on Thursday. We recommend layers to accommodate the unpredictable weather. A swimsuit is recommended if you plan to use the pool/hot tub in the evenings.You’ll need to bring a journal, Bible, pens and anything else you normally bring to Holy Hour. Leave a little extra room in your suitcase, as you’ll be receiving some goodies to take home.
Spouses and nursing infants are welcome to join you for the entirety of Go Forth. Your spouse will participate in the retreat, classes and activities alongside you.
Your family will have a private room. Pack-n-plays will be provided by the hotel for your infant. There will be no childcare available (though Alumni staff members are known to take little ones so parents can pray without distraction).
Go Forth 2025 is hosted at Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center in Breckenridge, CO.
The address is 620 Village Rd, Breckenridge, CO 80424.
Cancellations for any reason by April 16, 2025 will receive a full refund. After April 16, 2025, you may be considered for a partial refund. No-shows will not be eligible for a refund.
Email [email protected]. An Alumni teammate will respond to you soon. If you prefer to text or call, reach out to Alumni teammate Andrea Huelsing at 515-450-3064.
For questions regarding registration, email [email protected] or submit a support ticket under Alumni.
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