Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,  

We are delighted that you are considering attending this summer’s Ministries of Pastoral Care School. After a year of pandemic-prompted separations, we are especially grateful for this opportunity to gather together in God’s presence.  We’ll be meeting in a new setting, because Wheaton College had to cancel all summer conferences. Although we will miss being at Wheaton this year, we’re praising God for the beautiful place He has arranged for us. The school will be held July 25-30, 2021 at Cedar Springs Christian Retreat Center in Sumas, Washington.  We have prepared some information about the school, including answers to some key questions you may have.  Below, you’ll find a description of the retreat center, accommodations and cost, registration deadlines and the school schedule of events. You can access the registration form by clicking here when you are ready to register.

Please email us at info@ministriesofpastoralcare.com if you have any questions about the school or the registration process. Our team is praying for you and for all the Lord has in mind for this healing time together in His presence this July!

Blessings in Christ,
Sarah Colyn, President
Ministries of Pastoral Care

Ministries of Pastoral Care School

What is pastoral care?

It is the proclaiming, healing, and freeing work of the Spirit of God.  Jesus announced His ministry by reading from the scroll of Isaiah, and He sends His Spirit into the Church today:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

—Luke 4:18-19a

Our retreats and schools offer pastoral care through worship, teaching, and personal prayer ministry. You are invited to come and receive from the Lord, and in doing so you’ll grow in your capacity to offer this care to others. This school will address barriers to knowing God’s presence with us, equipping you to more fully collaborate with Him in personhood, family life, and vocation.

Who should attend? 

All Christians are encouraged to attend. Those who are struggling with the wounds and compulsions that are common in our world today will find real help. Ministers and lay leaders from all denominations, and those in the healing professions such as counseling and medicine, will be refreshed and strengthened for their service. Please note that children under the age of 18 are not permitted in school sessions. Also, mothers of small children are strongly encouraged to postpone leaving little ones for the week of the conference until after they reach two years of age.

What is MPC?

We are a teaching and healing ministry inspired by the writings of Leanne Payne. Our ministry team is led by Sarah Colyn, a seminary-trained psychologist with a passion for the gospel. Each school is staffed by a team of worshippers, speakers, and prayer ministers who are seasoned witnesses to the transforming power of God’s healing presence.

What topics are covered?

We desire to see the full healing power of the gospel active in the Church, and so we bring the Good News to bear on the challenges that believers face today.  Key issues we address include:

• Practicing God’s presence and listening prayer in Christian obedience

• Removing barriers to wholeness in Christ: the need to forgive, receive forgiveness, and accept ourselves in Him 

• Healing attachment wounds, finding personal identity and wellbeing in Christ

• Affirming wholesome sexuality, gender identity, and relationships

• Enriching Christian symbol, liturgy, and the language of the heart 

• Renouncing common manifestations of idolatry and becoming truer worshippers of God

What’s the best way to prepare for the school?

We encourage all attendees to read The Healing Presence and Restoring the Christian Soul by Leanne Payne as preparation for the school. The Broken Image and Crisis in Masculinity by Leanne Payne are also recommended. The books are published by Baker Book House and are available from Amazon.com, Christianbook.com, and BakerPublishingGroup.com.  A few weeks before the school we will send an informational email to all attendees that will include information about travel and preparation for the conference.

How do I register?

We have an online registration here.  We ask you to complete a registration form and also to share a reference from a mentor or colleague — this information helps us prepare to serve you at the school. All information you share with us is confidential.  We collect a $100 deposit when you submit your registration. 

Be assured that we will receive your registration prayerfully and that we are able to accommodate most registrants. Our conferences sometimes fill up, such that we are not able to accept every registrant. MPC reserves the right to decline any registration.

We will email you a confirmation of your registration to attend this school. Please do not make non-refundable airline reservations until you have received this confirmation from us.

Deadline

Registrations will be received through July 4, 2021.
Walk-in registrations and those submitted after July 4, 2021 will not be accepted.

Fee

The registration fee of $850 per person ($950 after May 24) covers your full participation in the school, including meals and accommodations. If the registration fee is prohibitive in your circumstances, we encourage you to request a partial scholarship by informing our registrar of your financial need. Contact the registrar at info@ministriesofpastoralcare.com

Registration fees can be paid by check or credit card. We will collect a $100 deposit with your registration information and will request payment of the balance of your fee once we confirm your completed registration.

Checks can be mailed to: MPC P.O. Box 60255, Shoreline, WA 98160

About the 2021 USA School

Where is the school being held?

The 2021 USA MPC School will be held in Washington State at Cedar Springs Christian Retreat Center in Sumas. Cedar Springs is in a beautiful, natural setting in the Cascade foothills within eight acres of gardens, ponds, and hiking trails. For a video tour of the retreat center, click here.

Cedar Springs Christian Retreat Center is located 110 miles north of Seattle, WA at 4700 Minaker Rd, Sumas, WA 98295.

Travel to Cedar Springs Christian Retreat Center

If you are travelling to Seattle by air, we recommend flying into SeaTac International Airport. 

Optional transportation to the retreat center will be offered by bus from SeaTac Airport on Sunday afternoon, July 25, 2021.  The cost for this optional transportation is not included in the school registration and will be calculated based on the number of individuals traveling on the bus, including the return trip to SeaTac on Friday afternoon, July 30, 2021. Details will be included in the registration confirmation packet so that you will be able to schedule your flights accordingly. If you are driving to Cedar Springs in your own vehicle or in a rental car, parking is available on site.

Accommodations

Cedar Springs accommodations offer comfortable beds, ensuite bathrooms with showers, and free wifi.  Linens and towels are provided. Each room has a view of the beautiful gardens and forested hillsides nearby and easy access to the dining hall.

Meals

A full meal service is provided for those attending the school.  Meals will be served in the Lakeside Dining Hall beginning with dinner on the first evening, July 25, and ending with lunch on the final day of the school, July 30. Cedar Springs offers gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, and vegan options.

Health and Safety regarding Covid-19

Attendees can look forward to a hospitable atmosphere that cares for the well-being of all attendees as we gather together in God’s healing presence. We will be following official health guidelines and best practices for our group meetings, lodging, and mealtimes. Current practices recommended in Washington state include mask wearing, 50% use of indoor spaces, and taking individual temperatures as a daily health-check.  As circumstances regarding Covid-19 continue to change we will adjust our protocols. We will communicate with registrants regarding our Covid-19 practices as the school grows nearer.

Extended Stay

If you wish to extend your stay at Cedar Springs for one or two days following the school, please advise us of your intent to do so when you register.  The cost will be $100 per person per night, and includes 3 consecutive meals.  You will need to provide your own transportation when departing Cedar Springs.

Cancellation and refund policy

Up to May 24, 2021, a $100 administrative fee will be retained.

After May 24, 2021: No refund

Cancellation due to changes in Covid-19 related government policies: Full refund

Written requests for cancellation must be emailed to info@ministriesofpastoralcare.com.