Men Ministry Retreat
By Ps Lim Jit Thye
During Deepavali in 2019, I attended the English Congregation’s Men’s Retreat for the first time. Since then, I have intentionally set aside the Deepavali weekend each year to spend three days and two nights in fellowship with a group of brothers.
This year’s retreat was held at Le Grandeur Palm Resort, near Senai Airport in Johor, Malaysia. The speaker was Pastor Ng Zhi Wen from our local English Congregation, and the theme was “More Than Conquerors” — “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)
Some may wonder: for those brothers who are not very fluent in English, would it feel awkward or out of place to join an English-led camp? Indeed, language often becomes a barrier in relationships within our society. For example, in some Singaporean families, the elders speak dialects while the younger generations speak English, unintentionally building walls of separation. Similarly, in the early church as recorded in Acts 6, “When the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews.”
One of the reasons I continue to attend is that I have personally experienced the wonderful work described in Ephesians 2 — what Jesus did for those who believe in Him:
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.” (vv. 13–14)
Among them, I never felt any barrier. The gospel culture our church promotes in the “Next Lap” vision was naturally lived out — brothers relating to one another with honesty and encouragement. I never felt marginalized; instead, I felt respected and valued everywhere I went.
It was just as Psalm 133 describes:
“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!”
The word “good” reflects the genuine experience of being welcomed, encouraged, and supported; the word “pleasant” describes the beautiful fellowship I witnessed firsthand — a unity in Christ where no one is divided. Isn’t this one of the very results of Christ’s redemptive work on earth?
Distinctive Highlights of the Retreat
1. Icebreaker Games –
Although most of the brothers came from the English Congregation, there were also participants and observers from other churches.
2. Workplace Testimonies –
Three brothers shared about the challenges they faced at work and how God’s grace sustained them in specific ways. One brother, whose spiritual life was once lukewarm, experienced the quiet rekindling of revival by the Holy Spirit during the 2019 retreat. Others testified about God’s guidance in their work and marriages.
3. Group Discussions –
After each of the three messages, members gathered in small groups to share openly and sincerely, experiencing the “goodness” of mutual edification.
4. Solitude and Meditation Time –
There were two designated periods of solitude. Each brother found a quiet corner to be alone with God for one hour — no music, no words — silently meditating on Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.”
5. Morning Exercise Sessions –
Every morning at 7 a.m., the brothers exercised together.
– On the first morning, Brother Michael Koh taught a Chen-style Taiji routine. Through his patient demonstration and explanation, we learned four forms within half an hour.
– On the second morning, Brother Tan Seng Chai led stretching exercises. Though seemingly simple, they made us sweat profusely! Afterward, we went for a brisk walk around the resort — the most enjoyable part of the morning — walking shoulder to shoulder as companions. Some brothers even shouted the Liverpool FC slogan: “You’ll never walk alone!”
The greatest insight I received from Pastor Zhi Wen’s sermons was about two kinds of “invitations.”
In the book of Revelation, Jesus’ exhortations to the seven churches reveal that though each had its weaknesses, He persistently encouraged them to “overcome”, promising rewards to those who did.
For Christians walking the path of sanctification, it often feels like a difficult journey, and we frequently experience a sense of “failure.” Yet Revelation 3:20 clearly points to a sure way to victory:
If believers personally invite Jesus in — as He says,
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me.”
This truth reveals that “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
In Revelation 3:21, Jesus promises every believer — even those in the weakest Laodicean church — that those who overcome, meaning those who take the initiative to invite Him into their hearts, will experience a renewed victorious life through fellowship with Him.
In the future, Jesus will in turn invite us to sit with Him on His throne — “Just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.”
Amen!
