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BY ADRIAN YAP God truly works anywhere, anyhow. With the sun streaking through trees, the light heat of the September sun and the cooing familiar buzz of dog barks and trickling streams, the 64-strong of us, consisting of members from the singers, musicians, PA, program manager departments as well as our guests from the C.A.F.E. ministry, arrived at El Sanctuary in Malacca on the 27th of September for our annual 2-day Atone Retreat. While our usual outing is usually of the highlands-totting or hotel-lazing sort, this year’s one turned out to be a different thing altogether. Housed in breezy wooden chalets and given an authentic wood-finished chapel as our common meeting place, the Atoners were given a 101 taste of what it feels like to live the country life. But just as we were brought away from hustle and bustle of the city and what we find familiar, we were also brought back to what God’s purpose is for this ministry, and what should always be the core focus of every ministry – people. If there was something tangible that everyone of us took away from this retreat, it was that everyone present was brought closer together as a body within this ministry. Through fun team-based games, casual conversations and sumptuous meals (which by the way, was exceptionally excellent, ranging from home-cooked chicken rice to pasta and even pumpkin-based deserts for supper), everyone’s sense of belonging within the ministry was increased. In many ways, it was wonderful how the retreat properly encapsulated the three key ingredients we’ve identified as being crucial to the development of this ministry. Many were encouraged by another through sharing and bonding which in turn translated to a greater respect for each other’s role within the ministry, so that in the end, everyone truly left with a greater sense of ownership for this ministry. |
