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Eastern Region Gathering

Welcome to the Eastern Region Gathering 2027 event page! Here you will find all of the details for this year’s gathering. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Rutledge at events@yfc.ca.

Event Details

Theme: Be Still

Location & Venue: Oakwood Resort
70671 Bluewater Hwy, Grand Bend, ON N0M 1T0

Dates: January 25th-27th, 2027

Monday, January 25th
Arrival, Registration & Check in: 1:00-4:00pm.
Dinner will be served at 5:30pm.

Wednesday, January 27th
Departure: 8:00pm, following the Celebration Banquet.
Please Note: Hotel Check-out time is 11:00am for those not staying overnight on Wednesday.

Please note: transportation from/to the airport is not available.

 

 

Registration Fee
Registration fee for this year is $500.
Hotel accommodations are billed separately from the registration fee and they are $192.24 per room per night – you will have the opportunity to select single or double occupancy.

Your Chapter will be invoiced for your registration and accommodation fees.

    ERG Registration will close on Friday, December 18th, 2026.

    Accommodations

    You will select room options during registration.

    Hotel accommodations are billed separatly from the registration fee and they are $192.24 per room per night – you will have the opportunity to select single or double occupancy.

    Your Chapter will be invoiced for your registration and accommodation fees.

      Schedule

       

      Day 

      Time 

      1:00 PM 

      Session 

      Registration & Check In

      Mon.
      Jan. 25
      “REST” 4:00 PM Welcome Reception
      5:30 PM Dinner
      7:00 PM Welcome & Plenary
      8:30 PM Free Time
      Tues.
      Jan 26
      7-9:00 AM Breakfast/ED Breakfast
      “REFLECT” 9:00 AM Worship & Plenary
      10:15 AM Coffee Break
      10:30 AM Strategy: Making and Multiplying Disciples as Jesus Did
      12:30 PM Lunch
      2:00 PM Workshops
      3:30 PM Free Time
        5:30 PM Dinner
      7:00 PM Worship & Plenary
      8:00 PM Free Time
      Wed.
      Jan 27
      7-9:00 AM Breakfast
      “RESPOND” 9:15 AM Panel Discussion
      10:00 AM Coffee Break
      10:30 AM Strategy: Making and Multiplying Disciples as Jesus Did
      12:30 PM Lunch
      1:45 PM Worship & Plenary
      3:00 PM Free Time
      5:30 PM Celebration Dinner  
      8:00 PM Thanks for coming, drive safe!

       

      SPEAKERS

      Charles Karugu

      Charles Karugu

      Charles serves as the Student Leadership Collective Program Manager at Alpha Canada, where he helps equip and empower the rising generation of young leaders to grow in their faith, share Jesus with their peers, and make a difference in their communities. With over a decade of experience in youth and young adult ministry, Charles brings a passion for seeing young people discover their God-given purpose and step confidently into leadership. His work focuses on developing student leaders, strengthening local churches, and creating opportunities for young people to encounter Jesus. Charles lives in London, Ontario, with his wife, Ashley, and their daughter, Mikai.

      Meagan Paterson

      Meagan Paterson

      Meagan is the Director of Family Ministries and Administrator at Chelsea Green Community Church in London, Ontario. With 11 years of experience in child and youth ministry, her work focuses on building relationships and sharing the hope of Jesus with people from all walks of life.

      In 2018, Meagan and her family were part of a team from Summerside Community Church that helped plant Chelsea Green in a neighbourhood facing significant social and economic challenges. Today, she leads a weekly youth ministry and, for the past two summers, has partnered with Youth for Christ to offer a summer day camp. Through it all, she has witnessed God's faithfulness in the life of the church and its community.

      Meagan lives in Dorchester, a small town outside London, with her husband, Chad, and their twin boys, whom she homeschools.

      Rowan Scott

      Rowan Scott

      Rowan currently serves as the Associate Pastor of Forest City Community Church in London, ON, while also working towards his MDIV at Calvin Seminary. He loves teaching, preaching and sipping good coffee. Rowan is married to his wife Jessie, and together they have a sweetheart of a beagle named Maggie. Go Leafs, go!

      Josh Black

      Josh Black

      Josh serves as Associate Pastor of Families and Young Adults at North Park Community Church in London, Ontario. He helps families and young adults grow in faith by coaching volunteers and interns, building teaching resources, and leading camps and community events. He is a husband to Bre and a dad to Nash and Lake. When he isn't at church, he enjoys reading, fishing, camping, and sports.

      Worship Team
      Nate Rundle

      Nate Rundle

      Nate is a husband and a father to 3 kids. Born and raised in London, Nate started playing piano when he was 6, then took up guitar and drums in high school. Around this time, music was everything to him. Nate was thankful to be part of a touring band which gave him the chance to play in front of different crowds all over Canada. In his 20s, he shifted his career into the banking world, where he now is a financial planner. Nate is glad to have been able to keep a musical outlet through playing on worship teams at church, and is excited to be here with you at this retreat to help lead in worship!
      Zach Havens

      Zach Havens

      Zach Havens is a musician, songwriter, and worship leader from London, Ontario, with over 20 years of experience in music and ministry. Classically trained in piano, Zach spent several years touring across Canada and the United States as the frontman of the Christian pop-rock band To Tell, sharing the stage with numerous well-known artists and receiving radio airplay across North America. Alongside his performing career, Zach has spent years teaching music and using his gifts to serve the local church. Today, his heart for worship is rooted in a desire to lead people into a deeper relationship with Jesus through music.
      Leah Beldman

      Leah Beldman

      With a love for conversation, big questions, and good food, Leah enjoys working alongside the staff and volunteers at YFC and Talbot St. Church. Youth for Christ has been central to her integration into the city of London. She loves biking on the TVP, walking in her neighbourhood and exploring different cafes.
      WORKSHOPS & SPECIAL EVENTS

      Workshops:

      Coming soon! Keep an eye on our Eastern Region Update emails for this information!

      Special Events:

      Our Celebration Dinner where we will be recognizing our Credentialing graduates and staff years of service will be held on Wednesday, January 27th! Please come dressed ready to celebrate!

      Free Time Ideas:

      – Snow Golf
      – Board Games
      – Puzzles
      – Indoor Pool
      – Outdoor walk to the Beach
      – Quiet Prayer Time
      – Nap

      WHAT TO BRING

      – Indoor shoes or slippers
      – A swimsuit if you wish to use the pool
      – Winter attire for outdoor activities
      – Bible & notebook/journal

       

      NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

      – Pinery Provincial Park
      – Grand Bend Beach