Diaspora Leaders Retreat

Why This Matters

CRC churches across Canada are increasingly reflecting the multicultural mosaic of our country. Since 2022, the Diaspora Leaders Retreat has gathered leaders from diverse backgrounds for a time of storytelling, learning, encouragement, and refreshment. As our congregations grow more intercultural and intergenerational, God continues to bring people into our communities—from immigrants and refugees to international students and seasonal workers.

What to Expect

This transformative retreat will include:

• Spirit-filled worship and prayer
• Stories and testimonies of God at work
• Workshops and discussions on topics such as:
  • The Challenges and Blessings of Being a Multicultural Church
  • Navigating Cultural Differences in Worship and Ministry
  • Empowering Leadership in a Multicultural Context

This year, we are especially excited to welcome Jaewoo and Joy Kim of Proskuneo Ministries as our main guest speakers. Their powerful leadership in intercultural worship and discipleship has inspired many across the CRC, including during the 2024 Intercultural Learning Cohort in Vancouver.

Who Should Come

We urge each Classis in Eastern Canada to sponsor at least one leader to attend this enriching experience. This year’s retreat will be especially meaningful for worship leaders and those ministering in multicultural contexts.

Why Now

The growing wave of diaspora ministry across Canada is more than a trend—it’s a movement of God. Our prayer is that this retreat will help leaders uncover, join, and grow in what God is already doing through His diverse church. Let’s equip ourselves to reach the nations—right here in our neighborhoods.

Cost & Accommodation

Cost: $100 per participant
This includes 2 nights' accommodation and 6 meals at Singing Waters Ministries—a beautiful and peaceful venue near Orangeville, Ontario (673394 Hurontario St, Mono, ON).

About the Venue:
Singing Waters offers a serene environment with woodlands, walking trails, cozy lounges, and terraces that give the retreat a restful, home-like feel. Rooms are fresh and clean with two single beds and windows overlooking the peaceful grounds. Note: bathrooms are shared and located just a few steps from the rooms in the main 2-storey facility.

Space is Limited:
On-site accommodation is available for up to 42 participants (double-occupancy rooms) and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
To ensure broader participation, we have also negotiated discounted suites at two nearby hotels for an additional 40 participants.

Affordability & Support:

Thanks to generous support from Resonate Global Mission and several CRC Classes, the registration fee has been kept low.
We strongly encourage churches to sponsor their leaders to attend, especially those from immigrant or multicultural communities who may face financial barriers.
Grants are available for participants who need financial assistance—no one should miss out due to cost.

 Hampton Inn (201 Monora Pk Dr, Mono, ON) Link to their website

• all rooms double occupancy $193/night                                        
• Choice of rooms: 1 King bed for couples or 2 Queen beds 
• Hampton gives July 21 as their cut-off date for discount rate

Best Western Plus (7 Buena Vista Dr, Orangeville, ON L9W 0A2) Link to their website

• all rooms have 2 Queen beds and are double occupancy $219/night                                        
• Best Western gives June 22 as their cut-off date for discount rate

If you choose to stay at either hotel, you will need to do two things:

• Register one of the rooms reserved for the retreat using your personal credit card
• Bring your receipt of hotel payment to the retreat, to receive reimbursement for the amount above $100 per person from the Diaspora Leaders Retreat team ( or email it in advance to gtimmerman@crcna.org)

How to Register: 

You must submit your registration by July 31. (Find button at top right of this page). 

For any inquiries or assistance with promoting the event to your congregation, feel free to contact our

Local Mission Leaders: jhbouwers@gmail.com or mjallim@crcna.org.

Please send questions or requests for stipends to gtimmerman@crcna.org  or call 437-288-6673.

Register Now