Last year, The Bolick Foundation partnered with New International to provide a Spiritual
Pilgrimage for over 220 missionaries and their families. Originally planned to take place in
Israel, the outbreak of war necessitated a change of plans. After much prayer and deliberation,
we decided on an alternative location. God opened the door for a 10-day cruise departing from
Rome and traveling through Greece, allowing us to follow in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul.
This journey included studies at significant biblical sites, deeply blessing participants and
strengthening relationships. The pilgrimage renewed and increased our missionaries’
commitment to Jesus and their calling. Throughout the journey, we experienced incredible
worship and heard powerful testimonies of God at work.
Utilization of Funds: The generous grant from The Bolick Foundation was instrumental in
funding the Spiritual Pilgrimage for our missionaries, held from April 19-29, 2024. The funds
were allocated towards travel, accommodation, and logistical expenses for over 220
missionaries and their families. This pilgrimage aimed to enhance their spiritual health, renew
their passion for Jesus, and strengthen their sense of community.
Impact and Mission Advancement: The Spiritual Pilgrimage had a profound impact on our
missionary family. During the pilgrimage, missionaries engaged in daily worship, fellowship, and
teachings led by Claude Robold, a pastor, church planter, and seasoned missionary with
extensive experience in India. This immersive experience provided a much-needed spiritual
renewal, allowing missionaries to reconnect with their calling and each other.
Post-pilgrimage feedback indicated that missionaries felt more spiritually fulfilled, with a deeper
relationship with Jesus and a stronger commitment to their mission. This renewal directly
supports our objective of ensuring our missionaries thrive both physically and spiritually, thereby
enhancing their effectiveness in evangelizing the communities they serve.
Metrics and Outcomes: To measure the success of the pilgrimage, we collected data through
surveys and interviews with participating missionaries. Key metrics included:
● Participation: Over 220 missionaries and their families attended the pilgrimage.
● Spiritual Renewal: Attendees reported a significant increase in their spiritual fulfillment
and a renewed passion for their mission.
● Community Building: Participants felt a stronger sense of community and support from
their fellow missionaries.
● Retention: We anticipate a positive impact on our missionary retention rates, aiming to
maintain our 97% retention rate, well above the industry standard.
● Support: 95% of participants indicated they’d be willing to participate in a Global Retreat
fund to have this experience every 3 years.
Successes:
● Enhanced Spiritual Health: The pilgrimage provided a transformative experience, with
many missionaries expressing a renewed passion for their work.
● Strengthened Community: The event fostered stronger relationships among
missionaries, providing them with new connections and an increased support network.
● Effective Evangelism: With renewed spirits, missionaries are better equipped to
evangelize and support the communities they serve, ensuring long-term positive
impacts.
Challenges:
● Logistics: Coordinating travel and accommodations for over 220 individuals posed
logistical challenges. We overcame these by having a designated point person
overseeing the process and coordination of the pilgrimage, speakers, worship team,
shuttle services, tours, program sessions, etc.
● Ongoing Support: While the pilgrimage was highly effective, maintaining this level of
spiritual support requires continuous effort. We address this through ongoing training
and resources throughout the year. Additionally, we have established a plan for our
spiritual pilgrimage to occur every three years as a global retreat. Our next global retreat
for our missionary family is scheduled for April 2027, ensuring that our missionaries
receive regular, comprehensive support to thrive in their mission work.
The support from The Bolick Foundation has been pivotal in advancing our mission of spreading
the Christian gospel and supporting those in need. The Spiritual Pilgrimage provided our
missionaries with the spiritual renewal and community support necessary to thrive in their roles.
As a result, they are better prepared to make an eternal difference in the lives of the
communities they serve globally. We are deeply grateful for your investment in our mission and
look forward to continued partnership in the future.
Thank you for all you do to support proclaiming Christ and making disciples globally.
New International is a faithful partner of The Bolick Foundation.