Effective Missions Retreat

An invite-only retreat in Texas of 16 Christians thinking seriously about how to do missions well.
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September 24–27, 2026 | Texas | Free | Discussions 9:30AM 9.25 – 5PM 9.26 | Please prepare a 10 min lighting talk

This retreat is a gathering of Christians ready to explore questions like:

  • What evangelism/missions organizations are effectiveness-minded Christians giving to and why?

  • How should one donate $10,000 marginal dollars towards missions? How can we maximize our impact-per-dollar?

  • What would a Christian GiveWell look like?

JD is inviting you and about 2 dozen Christians from the Christians for Impact network at an awesome Texas mansion.

Here's what to expect

💬 Open-ended discussions on the biggest open questions about effective missions (see topics in the signup form).

🎯Lightning talks. Every attendee is strongly encouraged to give one, on effective missions or any topic related to impact or effectiveness. Bring something you've been thinking about.

🙌 Massive chess games, prayer, long conversations and meals together. This is a retreat, not just a workshop.

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Goals:

  • Greater certainty in where to give for maximum impact for missions

  • Deeper trust among evidence-minded Christians who care about this.

  • Shaping direction and synergies for a potential future “Christian GiveWell” and similar existing projects.

Getting there

📍 San Antonio, Texas, US

  • Date & Time: Doors Open September 24 3PM; Discussions Held September 25 9AM - September 26 5PM. Leave venue September 27 11AM for church and outing.

  • Address: At the Casa Willo in Spring Branch, Texas— 20 minutes north of San Antonio Airport (about 80 minutes from Austin).

  • Housing: Provided through the morning of September 27.

You’re invited!

Spaces are limited and JD is aiming for a thoughtful mix of Christians who are serious about both faith and evidence.

If you’re interested in inviting a guest, please indicate it in your signup.

RSVP here

 FAQs

  • No.

    If you’d like you may donate to Christians for Impact, here.

  • Goals:

    1) to build community among like-minded Christians interested in effective giving towards missions

     2) to find promising effective missions giving opportunities

    3) to encourage more research

    The agenda is coming in August/September, though we’re expecting lighting talks (please prepare one 5-10 minute talk on a missions topic), discussions of a “Christian GiveWell”, spiritual metrics, and more.

  • When to arrive:

    • Anytime from 3PM on Thursday, Sep 24.

    When to leave:

    • We’ll do church and an activity altogether on Sunday, 27 in the afternoon and leave from there.

  • Scheduled Discussions:

    • Begin Friday Sep 25 at 9:30AM

    • Ends Saturday Sep 26 at 5PM.

  • You're still invited! The retreat is centered on effective missions, but lightning talks can cover any adjacent topic in effective altruism. Many of the bottlenecks we'll be working on (research methodology, funding evaluation, prioritization) apply across cause areas, and we are keen to discuss how to prioritize missions versus other cause areas.

  • No, but everyone is welcome to. If you have something you've been thinking about, this is a great room to test it in.

  • We'll share more with confirmed attendees. In short: we’re doing a giving game and are going to donate up to $10k, with your help, over the retreat weekend.

  • Christians who are givers towards effective missions who want to do so with maximum effectiveness, or professionals working in the effective missions space.

  • Email us at christiansforimpact@gmail.com.