The Family Ministries Department of the Nepal Section organized a family retreat from October 10 to 12. This retreat was designed for church leaders and their families, including children. Seventeen families, totaling 45 individuals, attended and experienced a weekend filled with rich blessings and fellowship.
“Throughout the retreat we enjoyed each other’s company and experienced fellowship as one large family in Christ,” said Shanti Pokharel, Family Ministries director of the Nepal Section. “This reminded us of the importance of staying strong and united, building a legacy of love, support, and togetherness as a church family.”
The retreat focused on reconnecting and reaffirming the bonds of individuals and that of the church family, organizers said. “Family ministry emphasizes God’s purpose for families, as He established the family unit by uniting Adam and Eve in the beginning to fulfill His plans on earth.”
Regional church leaders explained that the main goal of Family Ministries is to help families function healthfully and develop loving relationships with one another, ultimately leading to a deeper relationship with God. “The theme ‘I Will Go With My Family’ holds various meanings depending on the context; however, the family institution is a vital part of God’s creation for fulfilling His purposes on earth,” Pokharel said. “Families are places where we can share goals and faith, support one another, and emphasize the importance of quality time and family bonds.”
During the Sabbath sermon on October 11 Pokharel emphasized that the family was part of God’s creation from the very beginning. She highlighted the importance of maintaining healthy marriages by focusing on what we can contribute rather than what we can receive from our spouses. “We should look to Jesus as an example of maintaining loving and fruitful relationships within the family,” she said.
Parenting and raising children for success is a crucial task entrusted to each parent, Pokharel added. “Unless parents rely on God’s wisdom and guidance, they cannot fulfill His intentions. The family is God’s ordained institution to reflect His love, order, and purpose—a place of harmony, peace, and comfort,” she said.
Umesh Kumar Pokharel, president of the Nepal Section, emphasized in his opening remarks the importance of stepping away from our busy lives and polluted cities. He encouraged everyone to spend weekends in nature, breathing fresh air, feeling close to God, and enjoying time in prayer, in contemplation, and with family and friends; this is a special opportunity to experience a taste of heaven. “Seek God’s guidance for [your families’] lives and foster closeness with Him and each other,” he said.
On Sabbath afternoon all participants went for a nature walk. In the evening special programs involved every family, as each received a token of appreciation and a certificate for their commitment and unwavering support for their families and the larger church family. That night a campfire was held, complete with quizzes, and all the children received candies.
Organizers reported that the retreat ended with great joy. “This two-day retreat was an eye-opening event for all the families who attended, and all were enriched in their own relationship with their spouse and children,” they said. “Attendees reconnected with God and rededicated their lives and commitments to building healthy and loving families with God’s guidance.”
