The Synod Mission Council (SMC) of the Presbyterian Church in Singapore invited Rev Yap Seok Chin as guest speaker for a Family Retreat organized by the Synod Presbyterian Church of Cambodia (SPCC).  Through Rev Yap, TTC alumnus, Annie Soh (MDiv 1991), a local preacher at Paya Lebar Chinese Methodist Church was also invited to share at the retreat for pastors and their families.  The retreat was held at Koh Sdech, Koh Kong Province, Cambodia from 9 to 11 April 2019 with 11 pastors’ families, a total of 39 participants, attending.

According to SMC, the purpose of this Retreat was “to enhance bonding within nucleus families as well as between local churches.”  It was also hoped that   “all participants be spiritually renewed through this period of rest, in addition to being better equipped in pastoral care of their flocks and families”.

The theme chosen by SPCC was “PASTORAL LEADERSHIP” based on 1 Timothy 3:2-4.  Rev Yap shared Session I: Pastoral Leadership Traits I and Session III: Key to an effective pastoral leadership at home and ministry”.  Preacher Annie shared Session II: Pastoral Leadership Traits II and Session IV: Handling different responsibilities/difficult people, at home and church”.  The Retreat ended with prayers for their families and their churches, and with Holy Communion in the Lord.

It was a lovely time of learning and sharing and encouraging each other in the Family, and getting back to basics and simplicity during the retreat.