“Church community has not felt so authentic before.”
I was hoping to slow down and spend time with God, to soak in His presence at the retreat. I was blessed and ministered by the sisters in my group. The sharing of testimonies by the leaders and fellow members encouraged me. Listening to all the pain and the dark-soul-of-the-night moments — how God touches each one, leads and comforts them — helps me learn that God is in our struggles and loves us very much even when we don’t feel His presence. My takeaway is to lean into godly community and scripture in my dark-soul-of-the-night moments and to remember ‘Purity and Priority’, as shared by Pastor Ray. I would encourage my friends to sign up for the next Strangely Warmed: An Intentional Discipleship retreat.
–Monica Yan, Small Group Facilitator at the retreat
“When I finally made it for the retreat, I knew that God wanted me to be there.”
In the two weeks before the retreat, I was unsure if I would be able to attend because of unexpected health issues. When I finally made it to the retreat, I knew God wanted me to be there. I asked God, what do you want me to learn, Lord? During the first worship session, I experienced the tangible presence of the Holy Spirit and God’s love for me. Yet, God impressed on me that this was not a task-oriented retreat. I have to wait upon Him and experience spiritual friendship. It was until the very last worship session that I realised God’s message to me was that He is working in my waiting, through the song Sovereign Unto Us. I know God was assuring me that despite the uncertainties of my health issues in the weeks ahead, in my waiting, God is working. Indeed, He is sovereign, and I can trust Him!
–Chan Wai Lup, participant
“I did not expect the Holy Spirit to move so powerfully and personally from the beginning to the end.”
I thought it would be a time when God’s people gather to listen to talks and have small group discussions of the teachings, like in many camps or conferences. I did not know what to expect of the retreat except that it is always good when God’s people gather.
Truly, the retreat is a spiritual milestone in our journey. I did not expect the Holy Spirit to move so powerfully and personally from the beginning to the end, in our community and individually. It would be wonderful if every Wesleyan could go to such retreats, and with an open heart. We strongly encourage every leader serving in any leadership capacity to go first.
–Joy Chan, participant
“I was touched by God immensely.”
I didn’t plan to sign up. But since my wife told me she signed up and was going anyway, with or without me, I decided to join her. I had thought it would just be like another church camp. But I am glad I went for the retreat; I felt God’s presence working in me. I was touched by God immensely.
–Jason Jong, participant
“It was a great time of authentic and genuine sharing where fellow believers loved and supported one another in our spiritual journeys.”
I expected the retreat to be similar to a church camp, where we would seek God together through sharings, reflections, worship, and sermons. I thought it would be a time of seeking God together as a community. But the retreat met more than what I had expected as I had the opportunity to see and experience everyone at the retreat yearning wholeheartedly for God in their lives. It was a great time of authentic and genuine sharing where fellow believers loved and supported one another in our spiritual journeys. God revealed areas in my life that He wants me to grow more during this season through the retreat. I hope my friends who are in Youth Ministry will go for this retreat!
–Glenn Wong, worship team co-ordinator and church staff
“The retreat was well-organised, and the location was great, and most of all, the presence of the Holy Spirit was very powerful and clear to us.”
Honestly, we had no idea what the retreat was about. My wife and I were looking for a time of solitude and rest from life. We found the sharing by the pastors and the testimonies the most meaningful, and the worship the most enjoyable. The small group sharing and discussions were very impactful. The retreat was more than what we imagined or expected. It was well-organised, and the location was great. Most of all, the presence of the Holy Spirit was very powerful and clear to us.
–Andrew Tong, participant
“I have received so much love and acceptance at the retreat.”
I wanted to get away from the world and to have extended time alone with God, to be strangely warmed. I was looking forward to reviving my soul and for revelations from God. It went above and beyond my expectations. The presence of God amazed me throughout the retreat. The discussions made me dig real deep into my mind and heart. It opened up the areas that I have tried to hide from God. The retreat was instrumental in making resolutions with God. My answer would be an absolute “yes” if you ask me if I would encourage my friends to sign up for it. I have received so much love and acceptance at the retreat.
–Kathleen Jong, participant
