Alongside - Thrive

Alongside is a program that provides one-on-one relationships to assist in setting and accomplishing goals and nurturing spiritual growth through three areas of support: mentoring, life coaching, and spiritual direction. Each is provided by volunteers skilled (and certified in the latter two arenas) in these areas, and is available virtually so women everywhere can benefit.

Alongside is intended for North American women who are currently living and ministering outside their home countries (or are on home assignment). The ideal commitment for these relationships is four to six monthly meetings between a volunteer provider and participant. To learn more about our current team of Alongside volunteer providers, click here.

Mentorship is a relationship between two women, connected for the purpose of encouragement and guidance, intended in this context to serve women living and ministering overseas. Whether a mentor has been on the field previously, or has other valuable life experience to speak into their mentee’s life, the goal is to connect face-to-face or virtually to pray together, walk through Scripture, and build a relationship with accountability.

Life coaching with Thrive is geared toward women ministering overseas who are looking ahead to changes or hopes for the future. A relationship with a life coach, along with listening to the Holy Spirit, provides direction and often a step-by-step approach to accomplish specific goals. Coaching deals primarily with a person’s present situation and seeks to guide her into a more desirable future, and can encompass topics like self-improvement, learning a new skill, gaining personal success in a key area, and managing life change or personal challenges. Life coaches have specific qualifications in order to provide this type of guidance to participants.

Spiritual direction is a unique and sacred space to occupy with another person. In this arena of Alongside, a participant’s relationship with a certified spiritual director is devoted to listening and discerning the Holy Spirit’s movement in their life, seeking to grow in their personal journey of faith, and evaluating how God may be inviting them to experience Himself. Always, the aim is to become more aware of God’s presence and to hear His gracious call to a deeper and more intimate relationship.

Apply as a volunteer

Apply as a participant

Alongside services are available to American and Canadian women who live and minister overseas. Participants must currently be full-time, support-based, cross-cultural workers living overseas or on temporary home assignment. At this time, priority is given to women who have previously attended a Thrive retreat or virtual event, then open to others on a first-come, first-served basis.

Once you fill out an application, the Alongside team will contact you as soon as possible—keep in mind that this may take some time, depending on the volume of applicants at a given time.

Alongside is a wonderful resource for global women. It was really helpful to have someone patiently listen to my thoughts and questions, and then lead me through a process of connecting with God's thoughts and desires for me. Our times together were relaxed, personal, and profound. I left every session greatly encouraged, with my vision of the future a little clearer. Best of all, peace began to rule in me as my emotions and thoughts were re-aligned with my Father's. I would highly recommend this service. Thank you to Thrive and the Alongside team for offering this much-needed service.

JO | Alongside Participant

As an Alongside mentor, I am able to continue in an encouraging and restorative relationship, with a global woman, that starts when she attends a Thrive retreat. It is a wonderful way for me to be a part of another woman's personal growth, and ultimately her success, in ministry overseas.

SONIA | Alongside Volunteer

I feel spoiled knowing each month when I connect with my spiritual director, she'll listen to my heart, but also to the movements of the Holy Spirit in my life and help me recognize the ways Jesus is offering me His grace as I follow Him. I'm committed to being on the field for many more years. I know investing in my own soul care is a necessity so I can grow in an abiding lifestyle of reliance upon Jesus. I give so much to many precious ones around me. Receiving spiritual direction is one of many ways I care for my own life so I can care well for others.

Anonymous | Alongside Participant

As a younger woman in an isolated, cross-cultural ministry context, I would have greatly benefited from someone older and more experienced coming alongside to listen and encourage me. I know I would not only have survived better than I did, but flourished more. It is a great pleasure to serve with Alongside, which does just that. Coaches share a little of the journey with women in challenging contexts, offering a confidential and safe space both to process and explore difficult challenges, and to look at ways they can grow and flourish.

CHRIS | Alongside Volunteer

It is a humbling journey to meet monthly with a global woman living on the other side of the world. As I listen to what is on her heart and what she wants to talk about, together we notice the activity of God. Sometimes we are both surprised by the whispers of God and the ways He is at work in the sacred space we share together. We find ourselves often in quiet, in laughter, in tears in holy places, wrapped up in God’s love and goodness—even when her experiences might be painful. These prayerful conversations have been deepening for us both.

LYNETTE | Alongside Volunteer

Have questions about the Alongside program? Check out our Alongside FAQs.
If you have questions about Alongside or the application process, please contact us.