Center for Intercultural Training

What Center for Intercultural Training does

Center for Intercultural Training (CIT) is a nonprofit ministry that delivers residential, faith-based training programs for missionaries and cross-cultural workers preparing to serve, currently serving, or returning from service overseas. Founded around 2000 and operating for 25+ years, CIT is headquartered on a 28-acre campus in Union Mills, North Carolina, and is a subsidiary of Mesa Global, a Section 501(c)(3) organization. The organization runs six core programs — a four-week Equipping for Cross-Cultural Life & Ministry course ($3,640 per adult), a two-week Language Learning Accelerator ($2,415), a six-day Debrief Retreat ($1,255), a three-day Field Security Seminar ($1,250), a five-day Engage Retreat ($875), and a seven-day Young Adult TCK Re-Entry Retreat ($840) — together with age-graded Kids Programs (Nursery, Pre-KIT, KIT, YIT) for children of participants.

CIT's commercial activity flows through two channels: tuition and program fees (paid by individuals or invoiced to sending agencies, with a 10% partner discount and a $100 non-refundable registration fee) and tax-deductible donations channeled through Mesa Global's 501(c)(3) status. The customer base is a network of 20+ mission-sending agencies and churches (including Converge, SIM USA, Crossworld, KAI, TMS Global, BCM International, IM, MAP Global, New International, and others) that refer missionaries to CIT for pre-field training, while end-payers are individual missionaries and families. Programs are delivered by facilitators averaging 20+ years of overseas field experience, many holding Ph.D., D.Min., or master's degrees in missiology or intercultural studies, with several staff seconded from partner agencies.

Distribution is structured across three sub-brands: CIT Residential (on-campus in Union Mills), CIT Global (international partnerships with national mission organizations in Latin America and Europe, delivering locally-branded training including Spanish-language online courses), and CIT Next (online ongoing training delivered in missionaries' country of service). CIT holds ECFA accreditation and does not operate proprietary software, platforms, or AI-driven products; the underlying "technology" is the residential campus infrastructure, facilitation methodology, and curriculum library accumulated over 25+ years.

Name

Center for Intercultural Training

Legal name

Center for Intercultural Training

Website

https://cit-online.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Missionary Training Services

NAICS

All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Language Schools (611630), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Missionary Training Colleges & Schools (EDAHAKAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cultural Adjustment & Intercultural Training Programs (EDAIAKAB), Language & Communication Continuing Education (EDAAAEAF)

Keywords

• Missionary training programs
• Cross-cultural preparation
• Pre-field training
• Language learning courses
• Third culture kids

Headquarters

HQ city

Union Mills

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Residential Training Programs: CIT generates revenue primarily through tuition and program fees for its residential cross-cultural training courses. Participants pay course fees which include housing, materials, and select meals. Childcare and age-specific TCK programs are priced separately. Agencies and churches can also be invoiced directly for participant fees.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: CIT accepts tax-deductible donations from individuals and partners, channeled through Mesa Global's 501(c)(3) status. Donations fund training materials, childcare supplies, housing and facility updates, vehicles, and outdoor projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Center for Intercultural Training (CIT) provides residential, faith-based training programs for missionaries and their families preparing to live and serve cross-culturally. Core offerings include a four-week pre-field Equipping course, a two-week Language Learning Accelerator, a six-day Debrief Retreat for returning missionaries, a three-day Field Security Seminar, a five-day Engage Retreat, a seven-day Young Adult TCK Re-Entry Retreat, and a Kids Program serving Third Culture Kids ages 0–17, all delivered at CIT's 28-acre residential campus in Union Mills, North Carolina.

Product overview

Center for Intercultural Training offers a portfolio of residential training programs designed to equip cross-cultural workers for effective missionary service. The core offerings include the four-week Equipping for Cross-Cultural Life & Ministry pre-field course, the two-week Language Learning Accelerator course, six-day Debrief Retreat, three-day Field Security Seminar, five-day Engage Retreat, and seven-day Young Adult TCK Re-Entry Retreat. Supporting these programs is a comprehensive Kids Program (TCK Training) providing age-appropriate curriculum for children ages 0-17. The organization extends its reach through CIT Global (international partnerships) and CIT Next (online training). All programs are delivered at the 28-acre residential campus in Union Mills, North Carolina, with some offerings available through volunteer-supported childcare and facilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Equipping for Cross-Cultural Life & Ministry A four-week residential pre-field training course for adults and children that provides tools and strategies for navigating cross-cultural living and ministry, including cultural sensitivities, customs, practical survival skills, and team building. Priced at $3,640 per adult.
• Language Learning Accelerator Course A two-week residential course that teaches practical skills and attitudes for successful language learning, including phonetics training, personal learning strategy development, and practice with native speakers. Priced at $2,415 per adult.
• Debrief Retreat A six-day retreat for missionaries returning from the field to process and unpack their experiences, receive healing and renewal, and prepare for their next steps through guided reflection and supportive community. Priced at $1,255 per adult.
• Field Security Seminar A three-day interactive security training program for faith-based workers serving in higher-risk environments, covering threat assessment, situational awareness, crisis leadership, and survival skills through simulations and case studies. Priced at $1,250 per adult.
• Young Adult TCK Re-Entry Retreat (Transit Lounge) A seven-day retreat for Third Culture Kids ages 17-21 returning to the U.S. for college, gap years, or home assignment, offering transition processing, identity exploration, practical life skills, and community building. Priced at $840 per person plus $50 application fee.
• Engage Retreat A five-day spiritual retreat designed to renew heart and mind through a biblically rich, Christ-centered process using the 'Rooted Deeply' curriculum and spiritual disciplines within an Evangelical framework. Priced at $875 per adult.
• Kids Program (TCK Training) Age-appropriate training programs for Third Culture Kids including Nursery (ages 0-2), Pre-KIT (ages 3-5), KIT (ages 6-9), and YIT (ages 10-17), mirroring adult curriculum with Bible study, cultural exploration, language activities, and processing support.
• CIT Global A global initiative partnering with national mission organizations in Latin America and Europe to provide cross-cultural training adapted to local cultural contexts, enabling missionaries from all nations to thrive in their calling.
• CIT Next (Online Training) Ongoing education and training delivered online, including course creators, subject matter experts, training materials creators, and online facilitators serving missionaries in their country of service. Registration handled through JotForm.
• Volunteer Program Volunteer opportunities supporting missionary training operations including childcare, kitchen, campus facilities, and hospitality roles at the North Carolina campus.

Quantifiable outcome

• Missionaries who emphasize language learning during pre-field training and throughout their time in their host country stay longer in-context. Research shows returnees come home an average of 8 years earlier when there is little emphasis placed on language learning.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ConvergecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorConverge is a mission agency that partners with CIT to send missionaries through pre-field training programs at CIT's residential campus. Converge is listed as a trusted partner with a logo displayed on CIT's homepage.
• KAI (Kids Alive International)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKAI (Kids Alive International) partners with CIT, sending missionaries through CIT's pre-field training programs. KAI focuses on orphaned and vulnerable children internationally.
• Students InternationalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStudents International partners with CIT to send missionaries through training. Listed as a trusted partner on CIT's homepage.
• BCM InternationalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBCM International partners with CIT, utilizing CIT's training programs for their missionaries. Listed as a trusted partner with a logo on CIT's homepage.
• East-West InternationalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEast-West International partners with CIT to prepare cross-cultural workers. Listed as a trusted partner on CIT's homepage.
• ReliantcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReliant partners with CIT for missionary training. Listed as a trusted partner on CIT's homepage.
• SIM USAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSIM USA (Serving in Mission) is a major mission agency that sends missionaries through CIT's training programs. Listed as a trusted partner on CIT's homepage.
• Mesa GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMesa Global is CIT's parent organization and a ministry. CIT is listed as a partner of Mesa Global. Mesa Global runs the Engage Retreat in cooperation with CIT. CIT is 'A Ministry of Mesa Global' and is co-located at the Mesa Global campus. CIT's mailing address is c/o Mesa Global, PO Box 602002, Charlotte, NC 28260-2002.
• CrossworldcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCrossworld is a mission agency partnering with CIT to train missionaries. Listed as a trusted partner on CIT's homepage.
• New InternationalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNew International is a mission agency that partners with CIT for missionary training. Glen Gibson, a CIT Senior Training Director, is seconded from New International. Listed as a trusted partner on CIT's homepage.
• TMS GlobalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTMS Global is a mission agency that partners with CIT. Listed as a trusted partner on CIT's homepage.
• IM (International Ministries)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational Ministries (IM) is a mission agency that partners with CIT. Steve Torrison, a CIT Director of Equipping, is employed with IM, Inc. Listed as a trusted partner on CIT's homepage.
• Interaction InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInteraction International partners with CIT to co-host the Young Adult TCK Re-Entry Retreat. Interaction International is an organization serving TCKs and cross-cultural families.
• MAP GlobalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMAP Global is a mission agency. Cary Clifton, CIT's Asia Coordinator for CIT Global and Equipping facilitator, is associated with MAP Global. Listed as a trusted partner on CIT's homepage.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mission Training International (MTI): Mission organization offering pre-field missionary training programs including language acquisition (Phonetics) and Member Care, similar to CIT's Language Learning Accelerator and Debrief Retreat offerings. A direct peer in the niche pre-field training market.
• Interaction International: Organization serving TCKs and cross-cultural families, which co-hosts CIT's Young Adult TCK Re-Entry Retreat. Directly comparable to CIT's TCK and re-entry program portfolio and serves the same Third Culture Kid segment.
• Youth With A Mission (YWAM): Large global missionary movement operating a network of Discipleship Training Schools (DTS) and cross-cultural training centers worldwide. Comparable to CIT as a residential, faith-based pre-field missionary training provider, though YWAM is much larger and more dispersed.
• Ethnos360 (New Tribes Mission): Faith-based organization that runs its own multi-month missionary training and language acquisition program (the Ethnos360 Bible Institute and training in Camdenton, MO) for cross-cultural church-planting workers. Directly comparable to CIT's pre-field equipping and language learning tracks, and even seconds staff to CIT.
• Wycliffe Global Alliance: International organization that trains and supports cross-cultural workers (Bible translators and language specialists), with member organizations delivering pre-field training, language learning, and intercultural preparation—closely aligned with CIT's residential and language-learning programs.

Others

• ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability): Accrediting body of which CIT is a member in good standing; comparable as an adjacent ecosystem player that validates nonprofit financial governance in the evangelical space where CIT operates.

Emerging players

• Pioneers: Mission-sending agency that runs Member Care and pre-field assessment/training programs for its missionaries, with growing focus on whole-family and debrief support. Comparable to CIT as a partner-agency that occasionally builds in-house training, and shares CIT's focus on member care.
• GoCorps: Program that places young adults in cross-cultural mission settings with pre-field training and member care support. Comparable to CIT's Young Adult TCK Re-Entry Retreat and pre-field equipping in its focus on younger cross-cultural workers.

Broad incumbents

• Columbia International University (CIU): Higher-education institution offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in intercultural studies, missiology, and TESOL. CIT staff (e.g., Steve Torrison) trained at CIU-affiliated programs; CIU represents the degree-granting alternative to CIT's non-degree pre-field training.
• Dallas Theological Seminary: Major evangelical seminary offering graduate degrees with a World Missions and Intercultural Studies department. Several CIT senior facilitators (the LaBreches) are DTS alumni, and DTS represents the academic-track alternative to CIT's practitioner-led training model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@CenterforInterculturalTraining
• Facebookfacebook.com/CITonline
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/77907636
• Instagraminstagram.com/intercultural.training.cit

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Center for Intercultural Training