Becoming RALE Men
The planning for the Men's Ministry retreat started in earnest in June. From the start, the men committed the whole endeavour to the Lord. Once we did this, we saw how our Father opened doors - from getting an appropriate place to meet, to getting a speaker, getting a program put together, managing attendance and finances – and everything fell into place.
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46 men from the current Men's Ministry cohort, as well as some alumni, attended the 2-day retreat. The first day was spent in bonding between the men through ice breaker games and later at Pulau Ubin.
Our aim was to reinforce some of the teachings we were receiving through the series by Ps Robert Lewis, one of which was becoming 'RALE' men (Rejecting passivity, Accepting responsibility, Leading courageously and Expecting the greater rewards).
Men's Ministry
During the Pulau Ubin activity, the men discussed real life issues of our struggles at work, family and such.
The groups provided a 'safe space' for the men to share very personal issues. As the bible exhorts "as iron sharpens iron” the men were able to encourage each other, with the older men providing valuable insights to the younger men. I believe God used this time to remind each of us on the purposes He has for each of us men and what He designed for us to do. All along we saw how God was working in each one of us. Every man came away from that activity touched.
To wrap up the retreat, the men destroyed the "wall of sins" that each of us contributed to. The wall was later emblazoned with the following powerful words in red paint: “Forgiven by the blood of Jesus".
That is how all of us felt: "FORGIVEN."
We ended the day with a sumptuous BBQ and a movie. The next day, Dr Leslie Choudhury, a well-known motivational speaker, shared his Christian values and how he uses these values to interact with his spouse and son, teaching us how we should be interacting with our wives and children.
“I had a fruitful time at this retreat, and I met my personal objective of getting to know many brothers in PLMC. I felt at ease with everyone I came in contact with, sensing an immediate, 'spiritual' camaraderie and connecting with many. In my opinion, I experienced what is an unadulterated, or a true form kingdom fellowship described by Apostle John when he wrote in 1 John 1:7, 'But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another...'
At the Retreat's BBQ, Pastor Jon commended the Men's Ministry leadership for helping to create a safe space for PLMC men to bond and support each other as we serve in PLMC. I sensed he had summarised it aptly, because I certainly felt the safeness - to be open, accountable and transparent - when interacting with those around me throughout the retreat."
– Cher Young
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Welcome To Pulau Ubin
"In 2012, the Men's Ministry recruitment video caught my attention and prompted me to think of what God's purpose for me as a husband and a father is. However, the desire to grow deeper in knowing God's purpose for my life was soon overshadowed by the demands of my new role in the workplace.
When I started my new role, I thought I could take control of things at the workplace by working longer hours and using my own effort. However, things did not turn out the way I expected them to be. I got frustrated easily and became easily angered often. The situation in the office worsened by the day. I saw no way out of my situation.
In the past, whenever I faced any setbacks, I would turn to drinking and smoking. Turning to God wasn't usually my first response. But God is faithful and good.
The seed that He planted in my heart in 2012 when I saw the Men's Ministry recruitment video began to germinate. Despite the challenging situation that I was in, I had the desire to have a different response this time. I believed that the Men's Ministry might be God's way to change me.
Through the Men's Ministry, I began to see that life is not just about spending long hours at work and thinking that by doing so, I have done my part for the family.
God showed me that there is greater purpose in life as a husband and a father.
I prayed for God to give me the strength to stop all the bad habits that did not please Him. When I think back, I am still amazed by how God has broken those chains and set me free. To God be the Glory. I learnt that when we take the first step to trust God, we can always expect something good to happen in our life because God loves us.
I continue to look forward to every Men's Ministry session. I have benefited so much from the sharing of life stories in our small group. We have developed a safe place to share our victories and disappointments in life, with laughter and tears, we continue to cheer one another to become better men for God, for our family and for our Church - the body of Christ.”
– Anonymous