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Hope Channel Central Philippines held a spiritual retreat for staff and volunteers Feb. 14-16, 2025, at a beach resort in Sta. Rosa, Olango Island, Cebu. It aimed to disentangle them from worldly affairs and internal challenges that dulled their ministry effectiveness.

Nearly 50 staff members and volunteers attended the retreat, themed "Disentangle."

The event began with welcome remarks by Adventh Joy Montesa-Cabulay, HCCP head scriptwriter, followed by the first plenary session led by Pastor Lemmuel Lauron, HCCP station manager.

In his message, Pastor Lauron discussed the "affairs of this world" that entrap God's people and prevent them from developing a relationship with the Lord. These distractions hinder their ability to maintain meaningful connections with God and obstruct their commitment to being used for His purposes. Moreover, the concerns of this world obscure their vision of heavenly matters and entice them into the fleeting yet dazzling attractions it offers.

During a breakout session, Caine Montejo led an activity where attendees identified their entanglements and wrote them on paper. The following night, under a bonfire, they symbolically released these burdens by casting the papers into the flames, laying their weaknesses before God, and renewing their commitment.

On the morning of Sabbath, Pastor Lauron presented scenarios of God's people's warfare against these entanglements. To emphasize his point, he quoted Ellen G. White, a famous author who wrote extensively about the struggle against self. She stated, "The greatest battle one has ever fought is the battle against himself."

Marilyn Lucero, a newswriter of the Central Philippines Union Conference, explained Johari's Window, a psychological tool created by Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham in 1955. Attendees then wrote down strengths and weaknesses they saw in each other.

The activity emphasized the self-evaluating applications of Johari's Window, which divides the self into four quadrants: the "Open Self" (known to self and others), the "Hidden Self" (known to self, hidden from others), the "Blind Self" (known to others, unknown to self), and the "Unknown Self" (unknown to self and others).

Lucero explained that sharing one's hidden self—such as spiritual weaknesses or areas of vulnerability—with trusted individuals or a support group can promote understanding, deeper connections, and mutual support.

"By recognizing 'blind spots' and 'unknown selves,' we create opportunities for improvement and personal growth," Lucero said.

Attendees also took EQ tests to learn about their personality types and temperaments, tools that can be valuable for personal and spiritual development, helping them understand each other's behavior.

During the divine worship service, Pastor Lauron delved into 2 Timothy 2:4, emphasizing focus and dedication to one's spiritual calling. He said that, like a soldier unencumbered by civilian affairs, Christians should avoid entangling themselves in personal and worldly concerns that distract from serving God.

Whatever disentanglements the attendees had with each other that silently disrupted their unity and hindered their full commitment to the ministry, they poured them out to the Lord during the communion service.

In the afternoon, Khevin Carl Monloy, chief accountant of Adventist Hospital-Cebu, graced the event as a guest speaker. He tackled the challenges in Christian warfare, inspiring attendees to embrace the battle with courage and confidence, trusting in God's strength and promises.

The spiritual implications of his message deepened as attendees engaged in group discussions, exploring how to shed entanglements and don the Christian armor described in Ephesians 6:10-18.

In the evening, the attendees gathered around a crackling bonfire for moments of introspection. In this intimate setting, they confessed emotional baggage and blind spots, cultivating deeper acceptance and forgiveness.

The event wrapped up on a Sunday afternoon after a day filled with enjoyable team-building games and activities. Most importantly, participants returned with valuable insights and realizations that gave room for renewed commitments to the ministry.

Srael Verdida, HCCP's assistant broadcasting engineer, shared his thoughts on the retreat, "That was such a wonderful experience. Even the games and activities offered spiritual implications and invaluable lessons."

Lyn Lucero/Communication Department