It’s good to have fellowship with different people and know that we all have similar struggles and similar goals. It was a good reminder that the real fruits come from the Lord. We should be active but it’s more important to love God and to abide in His love. That’s our main mission.

Pavel

The retreat was life-changing. At every workshop there was that “AHA-moment” – something that I needed to hear for a long time. And I didn’t know the program before, so I didn’t know what to be prepared for. But I really felt that God touched all topics in my life that were not touched yet. And it’s great to have it before starting the new year of the ministry. Now I have a lot of ideas. It was a perfect timing.

Roxana

Thanks God for this Leaders retreat. It was really exiting. My big takeaway is relationship and building relations. Thanks God for the new people, new leaders for the ministry.

Rado

I’m very thankful for this retreat. It’s a beauty to be together and it’s very encouraging to see how God is working in Europe but also in our hearts. I’m again impressed by the work of the Holly Spirit and the transformation He did during these days. That’s what we a looking for – the transformation for ourselves and to help others to transform. And my main personal takeaway was the word “simple” – to trust the Lord more, to slow down, to focus on Him and to believe that He will bring on the right time the right fruit for His glory.

Bert

My main takeaway is  - when I started at Compass Netherlands, I thoughts I had a job. And now I know that I have a mission because God has chosen me to do this work for Him, to work in His vineyard. When I remain in Him, I will bear the fruits! And His love will only grow and grow in me. And that is His work, and I realise it now.

Indra

I was inspired to continue my ministry, to learn how to do it wisely and how not to slacken on the path. It was also valuable that my spouse and I could come to the retreat, it was a constructive time for our relationship.

It was a good opportunity for the Russian speaking team to be together and get to know each other better.

The content of the seminars was very valuable and meaningful. The Word came at just the right time and just the right moment!

Andrey

For me, the retreat was an inspiration, a breath of fresh air.

I was able to see myself with different eyes, and the exchange with new and interesting people gave me moments in which I discovered aspects of myself that I had not seen before or did not want to see. I learned new tools with which I can serve people in financial ministry.

Inna

Being at the retreat and in the midst of positive and active people, I had a lot of fun and great emotions. A few months later, a few decisions are vividly remembered, one of them is a balance of work and rest. At the retreat I identified emotional burnout, now I am working on it. In one word I would like to express my gratitude to the organizers and everyone who was with us in this training, we can learn something from everyone.

Ivan

I was taking advantage of every moment we could be together. It’s joyful!

Alexandre

I am glad for the opportunity to see each other and get to know each other personally.

The retreat focused on clergy burnout and ministry team building. These are very relevant topics for our churches.

We talked about the biblical understanding of self-care. The Apostle Paul also spoke of the need for care in his messages.

There are 2 paradigms of life:

The paradigm of the selfish person (who thinks only of himself) and the paradigm of the tired person (who never thinks of himself). Both are not pleasing to God, although the second paradigm sounds more spiritual.

And the Russian paradigm is still overlaid with asceticism, communist ideas and echoes of paganism. So there is an inefficient way of thinking that leads to burnout, but it is socially accepted and looks spiritual. I am very glad that there was an opportunity to correct this mindset and find balance.

I liked the format of the event and the venue because we could not only learn but also combine this time with relaxation.

Oksana