AV Team Annual Retreat 2025 – Connecting, Reflecting, and Growing
It was time again for our dedicated Audio Visual (AV) team – the unsung heroes including our sound crew, projectionists, and live streamers – to gather for our annual retreat on Saturday, 12th July. We chose this date because it is a quieter season for the church, with few major events, allowing everyone to fully participate without distraction.
The retreat’s primary goal was to foster deeper fellowship within the team. We realized that while everyone is incredibly focused on serving during Sunday services, there are limited opportunities for meaningful connection outside of those duties. The retreat also served as a vital reminder of the true essence of worship.
A total of 14 people joined the retreat, and we were blessed to have access to a karaoke room at the condo where it was held. We kicked off the day with a simple, light-hearted sharing session. Everyone introduced themselves, sharing their name, age, occupation, and life aspirations. This led to engaging follow-up questions, helping us all get to know each other better.
Worship: More Than Just A Song
Next, we transitioned into a time of worship, preparing our hearts for a message shared by Joseph. He began by sharing his personal testimony, recounting how he came to Christ after being introduced to a booklet containing the Four Spiritual Laws. Joseph then delved into many facets of worship, but two key points stood out:
- Serve God wholeheartedly and give Him your best. Even when serving feels tiring or frustrating, it’s crucial to press on. God sees your heart and effort. He won’t shortchange you. He promises to bless those who seek Him first. (Matthew 6:33)
- Worship extends beyond singing or attending Sunday service; it’s a daily act. Worship happens in everything we do – even eating! (Yes, he really said that!) This idea brought a thoughtful chuckle from the group, especially with our BBQ planned for later. But it was a powerful reminder: our lives are meant to be offered to God as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Him (Romans 12:1). Even something as ordinary as eating can be a chance to connect with God, recognize His provision, take care of our bodies, build relationships, and express thanks, dedicating these everyday moments back to Him.
Game That Taught Us Communication
Following the worship session, Jian Rong led us in a series of games. One particularly memorable and hilarious game was “Ping Pong Piak.” It involved simultaneously passing messages around a circle – clockwise, anticlockwise, and across. Naturally, chaos and confusion ensued as people mixed up what to say and to whom. The game highlighted a valuable lesson: communication is key. In AV ministry, with multiple people relaying different instructions, clear communication is crucial to minimize miscommunication and ensure smooth operations.
Fellowship Over Fire and Food
After the games, we gathered at the BBQ pit for dinner. Music played from a mini portable speaker, enhancing the vibrant atmosphere. Teamwork shone through as some took charge of fire-starting and cooking, while others prepared the food. Skills were shared, and we even discovered a team member who had won an award for Chinese cooking! We were delighted to invite Johnny, who had trained our sound crew this year, and his wife to join us for dinner. He was impressed to see our collaborative spirit on display — just like how we operate as a team when serving on Sundays.
Retreat’s Close: Spiritually and Physically Nourished
To wrap up the retreat on a high note, some of us headed back to the karaoke room, eager to sing our hearts out, truly inspired by the evening’s music. The rest of the team made their way home, feeling content and completely nourished—both in spirit and in stomach.
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