5-Day School: Living in Union with Christ

July 20-25, 2025 in Sumas, Washington

What is a pastoral care school?

Pastoral care 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

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 every part of life.

Who should attend?

All seekers of the kingdom of God 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 lay and professional caregiving roles such as counseling, medicine, and prayer ministry will be refreshed and equipped to help others. The school is designed for ages 18 and up, and young adults are especially encouraged to take advantage of this life-changing opportunity.

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 personhood 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 and the audio books are available from audible.com and audiobooks.com.

Where is the school being held?

Cedar Springs Christian Retreat Center in Sumas, Washington, USA. 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 in Sumas, WA.

Cedar Springs Christian Retreat Center

Cedar Springs accommodations offer comfortable beds, ensuite bathrooms with showers, and free Wi-Fi.  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. A full meal service is provided for those attending the school.

Travel

Please check in at Cedar Springs between 12:00–3:30 PM on Sunday, July 20. The opening session begins at 4:00 PM. Meals start with Sunday dinner and end with Friday breakfast. The final session concludes at 8:30 PM on Thursday, July 24. Lodging is included Thursday night for those departing Friday morning.

Air Travel: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the nearest major airport, about 3 hours from Cedar Springs. A round-trip private bus is available from SEA for $125. It departs at 9:00 AM on Sunday, July 20, and returns by 12:00 PM on Friday, July 25. We strongly recommend arriving in Seattle on Saturday, July 19, and booking return flights after 2:00 PM on July 25. Detailed meeting instructions will be sent in early July. Reserve your seat by July 10, registration link is in your welcome email.

Registration Fee

The registration fee covers full participation in the school, including meals and accommodations.
$1125 per person, double occupancy
$1525 per person, double occupancy

Registration is now closed.
Ministries of Pastoral Care reserves the right to decline any registration. Cancellations prior to May 16 will receive a full refund. If you must cancel after May 16, we’re not able to provide a refund due to our own non-refundable costs.

Scholarships

If the registration fee is a barrier to your participation, please request a scholarship. We will review your request, and if we have sufficient funds, will provide you with a scholarship code to use when registering.

Scholarships are funded by donor gifts. Partner with us in opening the way for those who want to build up Christ’s church! Donate on our site or contact the registrar.

Donate

Questions?

Please email our registrar.

“Once Christ abides within, one with our spirits, then His life can radiate throughout our souls. As His light encounters dark places of unforgiveness and woundedness within us, healing can take place.“

Leanne Payne