Welcome to Returned and Renewed

Our founder Cortland Watson is a life coach that has been working with returned missionaries for about a decade. Throughout that time, he heard the same story over and over again. It sounds something like this...

"I was so excited and spent my entire life working towards becoming a missionary. I then spent my time serving, but I never was prepared for post-mission life. I was alone. I was hurting. I was struggling to find meaning and purpose again. I didn't know where to go, who to talk to, or if God still needed me."

After each of these unique, but similar stories, a comment was always made. "Why don't we have an RMTC, a returned missionary training center?" 

Now we do! It is called Returned and Renewed.

Cortland

Returning home from being a missionary was very difficult for me. I felt alone. I felt like I had no support, and like I was failing myself and God because of the struggles that I was having. I fell back into destructive habits. I had no direction, no purpose, and no sense of happiness. 

I met the love of my life, Simone, and I finally felt like I was going to be successful. My unsuccessful transition home, the bad habits that I picked up damaged our lives for years. It was only through Christ, therapy, and years of working together that we were able to be in a good place.

Simone

I love to bring people together. I have been told by many people that I am the glue of the group. I truly feel like one of my roles in life is to be a gatherer.

When I was a young woman, I had a youth leader who went above and beyond to foster a friendship that would never end. She was always there for me, even when I turned my back on God and succumbed to drugs, alcohol, and partying for many years. 

Throughout that time, she consistently checked in with me and reassured me that she would always be there for me. When I was finally ready to return to church, I felt comfort in knowing that she would be there on my first Sunday back. 

Her influence sparked a desire in me to work with the youth and young adults of the church in a way that would be meaningful and have a lasting impact on their lives.

 I want to be that friend for you. I want to be that friend for your children. I know that Christ has the power to heal us all. I know that God has placed us here on earth to learn and to grow together.