Deepen: train in spiritual companionship

Deepen is a two-year course of study offered jointly by Novo and Youth With A Mission. It is designed for individuals who desire to grow in their own spiritual lives as well as to nurture the spiritual lives of others in a cross-cultural setting. 


Deepen is designed to cultivate, among cross-cultural workers, the capacity and skills to come alongside and spiritually nurture one another in partnership with God. It is experiential training for those who desire personal, transformational growth and intimate relationship with the Lord as the foundation for ministering to others.


Grounded in multiple streams of Christian spirituality, the course offers a balanced learning environment blending spiritual formation with skills development through experiential, developmental and group activities. Deepen I and II include three residencies in Málaga, Spain, online small and large group meetings, other online components, and prescribed reading and reflections.


To apply to attend Year 1, please contact us or complete the form here.

Dates for deepen - years 1 & 2

Year 1: November 2024 - October 2025

Year 2: November 2025 - October 2026

Year 1- Spiritual Companionship

Deepen I will focus primarily on personal spiritual formation as well mutual spiritual companionship to be practised in personal relationships and through peer group direction. Additionally, attention will be paid to discerning gifting or calling to spiritual direction.


Topics include:


God in Our Stories


Making Space for Another Through Listening


Mutual Spiritual Companionship for Cross-cultural Workers


Crossing Cultures: Deepening through Disorientation


Prayer


Consolation and Desolation


Discernment


Chinks in the armor: Discerning the link between our inner-life and the external battle


Theology of Suffering


Spiritual Disciplines


Developing a Rule of Life

Year 2 – Spiritual Direction

“Spiritual direction is a prayer process in which a person seeking help in cultivating a deeper relationship with God meets with another for prayer and conversation that is focused on increasing awareness of God in the midst of life experiences and facilitating surrender to God’s will.” (David Benner, Sacred Companions)


Open to those who have completed the first year and have evidenced a giftedness or calling to spiritual direction, Deepen II will draw from various streams of Christian Spirituality. Participants will both train in and practice the art of spiritual direction, while continuing to attend to their own growth and relationship with God.


Topics include:


Spiritual Direction 101


Techniques of Spiritual Direction


Spiritual Health and Vitality for the Director


Practicum and Role-plays


Discernment


Cross-cultural issues in Spiritual Direction


Streams of Christianity/Spirituality


History of Christian Spirituality


Developmental Spirituality and Prayer


Spiritual Temperaments


Psychological Issues in Spiritual Direction/When to Refer


Supervision


Retreat direction