We Came as Men, We Left Renewed: Reflections from the SFA Men's Retreat

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We came as men. We left renewed.

SFA Men's Retreat

Organised by the Formation Ministry

We stepped away from the noise, the busyness and demands of everyday life—and made room for God.

He spoke. He healed. He renewed. He sent us.

Guiding us through this journey was our Retreat Director, Derek Chong, who walked alongside us and led us through the different dimensions of the retreat—with wisdom, openness and a deep sense of faith.

He created the space for us to pause, listen, reflect, share, pray, reconcile and encounter God—gently guiding us to look beyond the surface and into our hearts.

But as we reflected on the retreat, we realised something important:

We were not just attending the retreat. We were part of it.

The sessions opened the door. But it was through sharing, listening, prayer, reconciliation and fellowship that the real retreat unfolded.

We listened to one another.
We shared honestly.
We prayed for one another.
We found courage to be vulnerable.
We reconciled.
We laughed.
We walked together.

And in those moments, we encountered God—not only in the sessions, but in one another.

"The retreat created a safe space where men could listen, share honestly, encounter God and connect with one another."

That became one of our greatest takeaways:

We don't have to walk alone.

We discovered the strength of brotherhood—not a brotherhood built on having all the answers, but one where we can show up as we are, listen without judgement, encourage one another and journey together in faith.

We were reminded to surrender more deeply, choose faith over fear, bring Christ into our homes and relationships, and lead through humility and service.

And we realised that the retreat doesn't end when we leave.

We take the encounter home.