Big Smiles, Full Hearts, Filled Tummies

The theme of the retreat was “Empowered to Succeed”.

By Tan Shuyan, ACTS College

The title sums up our annual ACTS College retreat, which was held on September 10, Despite the COVID-19 situation, we thank God that we could meet together in smaller groups of five in houses whilst connecting with the rest of the community virtually via ZOOM.

During the Retreat

We started the morning by taking photos in our small groups and sharing them with the rest. Those who were ZOOM-ing in alone from their homes were not forgotten either. It was great seeing both familiar and unfamiliar faces at the retreat. After the fun, we entered into a refreshing time of praise and worship. Although it was led via ZOOM, we were all ministered by the presence of the Lord.

Thereafter, we settled down to listen to the Word taught by Rev Dr David Lim, who was ZOOM-ing in from the USA. He shared with us on the topic of being “Empowered to Succeed” in two back-to-back sessions. In the first session, we learned about the six keys to discovering God’s will. It was empowering to learn that we are not just to seek God’s will but to give birth to the will of God. In the second session, we learned to run the race well by being faithful where we are placed and were reminded to bloom where we are planted. The fresh perspectives shared in both sessions were inspiring and encouraging to us as listeners and receivers of the Word.

Spiritually nourished, it was time to be physically fed! We adjourned for lunch, taking the time to fellowship and share our reflections and takeaways from the morning. For those who chose to go out for lunch, it was also a time to explore a part of Singapore where we had never frequented before.

New Student Learning System

After lunch, we were briefed about the exciting new student learning system which would take effect next year. This new system is not without cost, and it is heartening to learn how God is in the midst, providing for the needs of the College as it seeks to innovate and make learning easier. We ended the time together with Holy Communion and offering. However, it was not the end for some of the groups, and they stayed on in their homes for more fellowship and sharing.

Our annual retreat may have ended, but the friendships fostered will continue. It has indeed been a refreshing time of bonding with other schoolmates, many of whom we have yet to meet in person due to the pandemic. Many thanks to the college leadership and student leaders for organizing this wonderful and relaxing hybrid retreat. The way of doing things may have changed, but our God is ever-faithful and unchanging. Praise be to God!