Quiet and peaceful sumptuous Feast 

 Theological students’ refueling station

(Highlights and Review of the 10th Student Retreat Camp)

Our school’s annual student retreat was held this year under the auspices of Project Shalom. Through various activities in the camp, students  enjoyed physical, mental and spiritual stability, and also used these days to allow everyone to reflect on their relationship with their Heavenly Father.

The theme of the camp is "You are in the parable" and it is hosted by Bishop Liang Yongkang. Bishop Liang leads us into this familiar metaphor from multiple angles, first using "shame and face" as the entry point, and then leads us through Rembrandt's famous painting "The Prodigal Son Returns" andFather Henri Nouwen's book "The Prodigal Son Returns". Enter the roles of the younger son, the older son and the father respectively, meditate on their inner worlds, and reflect on our current life stage.

Will I be as shameful, self-defeating and rebellious as the younger son? 

Do I have the bitterness of my older son, with his complaining and bitterness? 

Or are you learning your father’s capacity to resolve, extending his hand of embrace and forgiveness? 

Students also have the opportunity to share what they have learned and support each other during group time in the camp.

In order to encourage students to develop the habit of taking care of their overall health, three activity options were arranged during the free time of the camp, namely the art of recycling paper, harmonious pastels and interpretation of famous paintings. While the students enjoyed a relaxing afternoon, they also prayed that they would introduce this learning experience into their lives and become holistically healthy theological students.

【Rest in peace for the tired mind】

Joseph Zhang (Master of Theological Studies, second year)

This is the first time I have participated in a seminary retreat. Although I  was not able to have in-depth exchanges with every classmate in these few days, it was an opportunity for me to have a good rest while serving. When we share, practice spirituality, and pray together, Our tired hearts can rest in the embrace of the Lord. I know that  there are not many opportunities like this, so I cherish it very much and enjoy being comforted and relieved by God with my classmates.

This camp allowed a group of our classmates and teachers to have many opportunities to interact and communicate about the difficulties encountered in service, the balance between family and church, and issues of harmony between brothers and sisters. We also got  to know some of the family members of our classmates and listened carefully. their experiences. Let’s seek God’s will together and be grateful for the wonderful things God does in everyone!

【Learn God’s generosity, tolerance and acceptance】

Henry Leung (Master of Divinity, third year)

This is my third year participating in the retreat camp. I participated in the CCST Vancouver retreat camp with full expectation and cherishment. I hope that before the end of the summer vacation, I can experience the time of encountering God with my teachers, co-workers and classmates. In this retreat, Bishop Liang Yongkang used the parable of the prodigal son and the face issue of the Chinese as an entry point to lead us to think about Chinese culture and God’s love.I deeply feel that the loving father in the parable did not use his Outer side( face) to cover up the shame from his son, but instead took the initiative to greet his son. This helped me understand that as a pastor, I should set an example of God’s generosity, tolerance and acceptance. It is also when shepherding the flock of the Lord Jesus that we need to have a broad mind and magnanimity.

In addition, the retreat also allowed me to fellowship, share and pray with my classmates. The testimonies of my classmates’ lives inspire my gratitude to God, arouse my compassion, and remind me of my determination to learn to rely on God.

【Life changes from broken to wonderful】

Qiao Yan (final year of Master of Theological Studies)

While participating in the "Craft of Recycled Paper", I reflected further. Those originally useless waste papers can still be reused to make brand new craft paper with slow and patient operation.However, they need to be soaked in water, stirred and beaten first, and then various small decorations are randomly added during the production process. The resulting recycled paper is beautiful, unique, pleasing to the eye, and can be used for new purposes.Simple craftsmanship reveals that no matter how bad life is, as long as you don't give up and are willing to change, it can still be given new meaning and value.Nine times out of ten, your life will be unsatisfactory, and your life will be riddled with blows. However, in the face of new creations, waste can be turned into treasure. What’s more, our lives are so precious. Every experience is not meaningless. As long as we are willing to let Jesus intervene, our lives will be different.Similarly, if we can carefully reconcile with the broad love of Heavenly Father and build those broken lives with new eyes, they can also reproduce the splendor of life.

【Build up each other  in love】

Carman Chu (Master of Theological Studies, second year)

For me, it had been a long time since I had attended a retreat. I never thought that a seminary retreat would allow my family to participate. It was rare for my husband and I to put down our daughter and retreat together. In the leisurely three days and two nights, in worship and teaching, I learned to listen and accumulate the messages I received, and walked with the Father who loves me.I also really enjoy being in the group, where everyone can talk freely and get to know each other a lot. In addition, during lunch, I communicated with co-workers and classmates from different cultures at the dinner table, which made me feel that God has gathered together a group of brothers and sisters from all over the world. Although we have differences in culture, I believe that everyone loves the Lord with the same heart. The same; I hope that we can cheer each other up and remind each other on the road to running for the Lord.

In addition, the harmonious pastel workshop in the camp allowed me to create concentration and tranquility from scriptures and colors. I have just been in Vancouver for a year and have been a student for nine months. Through this retreat, I feel like I have returned to the previous stage of study and can now start over again..