Champions of mission: How site ambassadors bring Covenant’s values to life

Each year, when nominations for Covenant’s Mission Awards open, stories pour in from across the province — stories of collaboration, kindness and care. Behind those stories are site champions, dedicated staff members who volunteer their time to encourage, recognize and celebrate their colleagues. 

One of those site champions is Greg Kern, chaplain at St. Teresa Place in Calgary. For Greg, being a site champion is about connection. “I work closely with our Mission Committee, which includes our administrator, nurses and recreation staff,” he says. “We plan, communicate and encourage people to share their stories. It’s really about helping everyone feel part of something meaningful.” 

Covenant’s sites include everything from small rural hospitals to large continuing care communities, and site champions help bridge those distances — keeping Covenant’s mission visible and personal. At St. Teresa Place, Greg provides emotional and spiritual care to more than 250 residents and 200 staff.

Everyone here suffers in some capacity,” Greg says. “My work is to listen and to help them find strength in their spirit. And that naturally connects to the heart of the Mission Awards — compassion, respect and service. 

For Greg, being a site champion is a perfect extension of his ministry. “It’s about helping people flourish, feel valued and find meaning in what they do,” he says. “When we celebrate our colleagues, we remind them that their work truly matters.” 

Creating that sense of community is what makes site champions so essential. They help foster environments where staff feel seen and appreciated and where Covenant’s mission and values are lived in everyday actions. “Covenant’s mission statement is the best I’ve ever seen,” Greg says. “We care for mind, body and soul — not just for residents but for staff too. When we talk about compassion and respect, we’re talking about how we treat each other.” 

As part of staff orientation, Greg introduces new hires to Covenant’s mission, vision and values. “I tell them that when you serve with compassion and integrity, your work becomes more than a job — it becomes a calling,” he says. “Everyone’s faith or background may be different, but the shared goal is the same: to serve with heart.” 

For Greg, the Mission Awards are a reminder of that purpose. “They show that we’re mission-driven, not profit-driven,” he says. “They help us focus on what matters most — people, purpose and compassion.” 

“At the end of the day, I get to celebrate others. I get to help them see the impact they have. That’s the best part — watching people realize that their work truly makes a difference.” 

Across Covenant, site champions like Greg bring that spirit to life every day — reminding us that the mission is more than words on a wall. It’s found in the kindness we show, the gratitude we share and the compassion that connects us all.