District Staff Retreat 2026
After God’s Own Heart: The Praying Life
District Staff Retreat is a time of renewal, rest, and refreshment for CPD licensed workers and their spouses. Each year, we gather in Whistler, BC, for a meaningful time of worship, learning, laughter, encouragement, and connection as a district family. This November, we invite you to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with Jesus and with fellow ministry leaders.
In Acts 13:22, King David is described as a “man after God’s own heart.” Throughout his life we see that no matter the season, whether it's in praise, repentance, sorrow, or anger, King David brought it all before God. Through the Psalms of David, we are given the permission and the words to process and express our deepest thoughts and honest emotions in every season. Join us as we explore how the praying life is part of becoming men and women after God’s own heart.
Event Details
Date: November 2-5, 2026
Location: Westin Resort & Spa in Whistler, BC
Registration Fee: $379/person
Click here to register for District Staff Retreat!
Book your hotel room with a discounted group rate at the Westin Whistler here!
Meet the Speakers
Milissa and Jay Ewing serve together as Pastors at Redwood Park Church in Thunder Bay, Ontario: Milissa as the Lead Pastor and Jay as the Pastor of Spiritual Formation. Having been originally called into ministry and pastoring within the CPD, they consider themselves as sent on mission with the call to lead healthy churches and see Holy Spirit-led, whole-city transformation in Jesus’ name.
In addition to their local church ministry, Jay is a practicing Spiritual Director and Milissa is the National Coordinator of Indigenous Partnerships for The Alliance Canada. They also participate in the strengthening of emerging leaders and Lead Pastors through“The Pastorate,” with the hope of renewal in the broader Church of Canada.
On the homefront, Jay and Milissa are the parents of two daughters: Aida, a student at Ambrose University, and Claire, who is finishing up high school. As a family, they enjoy good meals,skiing in the winter, and either cycling, running, or swimming in a beautiful lake in the summer.
Retreat Schedule
Whitehorse Discerning Community Missions Trip 2026
For many across the Canadian Pacific District, the Yukon can feel distant, but over the past several years, God has been steadily opening doors and building relationships in Whitehorse. This story began through the faithful presence of Pastor Ben Pantoja from NewLife Alliance, who spent extended time in Whitehorse building relationships, sharing the gospel, and walking alongside members of the local Filipino community. Over time, those relationships have grown into a small but committed core group with a desire to grow together in faith and explore what a Filipino Alliance church expression could look like.
From July 24–28, 2026, Pastor String La Guardia and a team from Central Edmonton Alliance Church travelled to Whitehorse to come alongside this emerging work in partnership with New Life Alliance and the Canadian Pacific District. During their time together, the team deepened relationships with the community, encouraged and discipled the growing core group, and continued conversations around what along-term Alliance presence in the Yukon could look like.
There is still much to discern, but there is a growing hope to see a locally rooted expression of church established in Whitehorse, one shaped by the people, relationships, and realities of life in the North. As you watch the video from Central Edmonton Alliance Church’s recent trip, we invite you to pray for this emerging community, for leaders discerning God’s call, and for what God may continue to grow from the seeds that have been faithfully planted over the past several years.
Intercultural Fluency
Intercultural Fluency, like holiness, is a discipleship issue. Following Jesus for leaders and churches of different ethnicity includes embracing and putting into practice the vision in the new creation of a “great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9).
The sessions will cover the following:
Part 1: Developing A Theology of Cultural Diversity
Including Topics: Building A Theology of Diversity, The Multicultural Kingdom Identity, The Church’s Cross-Cultural Mission and Race, Diversity and Culture.
Part 2: Intercultural Leadership
Including Topics: Leading Across Cultures, Levels of Cultures, Navigating Cultural Iceberg, Dimensions of Culture
Part 3: Effective Intercultural Communication
Including Topics: Strategies for effective intercultural communication, Practical ways to increase capacity for intercultural communication, Helpful activities and ideas to develop Intercultural Fluency
Register to join us September 19, from 9:00am-3:00pm at Lakewood Alliance Church for a great time of learning and discussion together.
RWAM - Medical Referrals and Access to Paramedical Services
As part of ongoing efforts to simplify access to care and reduce unneccesary medical paperwork, RWAM is removing the requirement for a doctors referral for many paramedical services, where a referral is not medically required.
What this means for you:
- Easier access to paramedical care and services
- Less time obtaining paperwork that does not add clinical value
- A simpler, more efficient claims experience
The following paramedical services under our plan no longer require a referral.
- Massage Therapist
- Physiotherapist
- Speech Therapist
- Acupuncturist
- Psychologist/Psychotherapist/Social Worker (MSW), Clinical Counsellor
- Registered Nutritional Consulting Practitioner/Registered Dietician
Your coverage itself is not changing. This update is intended to make it easier for you to access the services already available under your plan. If you have any questions about your benefits or coverage, please contact your Plan Administrator.
Please Note per RWAM: The plan member booklets will be updated to reflect the above change at a later date.
