Resilience to Rise
On June 19-20, 2021 IFGF Canberra, Australia held a winter retreat in Canberra, the capital city of Australia. The theme for this retreat was “Resilience to Rise” which was taken from Psalm 37:23-27. The theme was chosen to remind the congregations to prepare their hearts and minds to be resilient in facing their struggles and problems.
We know that this life is not always rainbows and butterflies as from time to time we are faced with challenges and difficulties. We need resilience to rise from the problems we have in our family, study, work, marketplace, ministry and even church. As we choose to stand up and rise, God will help us to go higher than before.
IFGF Canberra’s 2 days 1 night retreat was filled with various activities. Worship and Bible teaching, games, Prayer & Worship night with Kezia Elim of IFGF Praise & IFGF Surabaya, group performance, testimonies and the retreat was closed with Sunday Service and Holy Communion.
We are grateful to be able to invite speakers from other IFGF churches to share and teach the church to be resilient believers. To improve ourselves as believers in life (by Ps. Wendy Kurniawan of IFGF Canberra), in ministry and church (by Ps. Jonathan Kasmin of IFGF Bandung), in family and relationship (by Ps. Budi Hidajat of IFGF Semarang) and how to cast our worries despite the problems we are facing (by Ps. Raymond Njotorahardjo of IFGF Surabaya).
Everyone had a wonderful time being in a fellowship with other Jesus’ believers. The strong bond between them created a sense of HOME although they are far from home. The participants were strengthened physically, mentally, spiritually and one again reminded that they are not alone in the long journey of life.
May the participants learn to rely on God more each day as they grow in Him and be fruitful. Most importantly, may they learn to be resilient and rise above their challenges.
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
– Psalm 37:23-24 –
