ELDP eagles emerging leader development program
Class of 2011 - Retreat 5: Values, Competencies & Decision-Making
NOVEMBER 17 - 20, Singapore
ELDP Class of 2011 spent their last retreat in Singapore from 17-20 November 2011. It was a milestone for these 17 participants as they gathered to learn, share and enjoy each other's fellowship for the last time. They have been together for the past three years having done five retreats in different countries. A sense of camaraderie was formed among leaders during these time together.
At the Commissioning Banquet on 19 November 2011, Mr Lim Hua Min, Executive Chairman, PhillipCapital Group of Companies, delivered the keynote address on, ‘Growing Leaders In a Changing World.’ Many were inspired to go the second mile for God’s Kingdom as they begin and continue their leadership journey.
"A place to pause, relearn, carry on the journey to advance of Christ Kingdom" - Ng Yee Khai
"I'm inspired to want to lead in the area I'm placed in as I've been encouraged by the wonderful leaders, faculty and speakers" – Joanne Tan
"It is life-transforming retreat/program for those who are eagerly seeking Him in their lives" – Jane Wong
"ELDP will equip and inspire you with God-centered leadership in the marketplace" – Claire Au
Class of 2012 - Retreat 3: Coaching, Community and Succession Planning
MARCH 31 - APRIL 3, Bali
Warm greetings and hugs were aplenty as this energetic cohort reunite once again, streaming into the beautiful island of Bali from Malaysia, China, Indonesia, Australia, Thailand, and Singapore. The bonding was evident as this class gathered for the third time, happy, vibrant, and ready to learn about the Heart, Mind and Soul.
Pastor Chew Weng Chee taught an outstanding full day session on Leadership Burn-Out, discussing the symptoms and causes, and taught about how to take care of ourselves through regular solitude in God's presence. His wife, Pastor Lee Choo complemented his session beautifully, by teaching on Balancing Family, Ministry and Personal Life. As Singaporean participant Dawn Ng put it, 'Even as leaders, we need to master the art of managing and caring for ourselves first before leading others.”
Peter Geizer, who manages the treasury operations of the Christian Outreach Centre Movement in Australia and incidentally is from the Class of 2011, gave helpful insights on Leadership and Money, dealing with personal and corporate finance.
Peter Chao drew an interested crowd from start to finish with lessons of tempest, treachery, temptation and triumph from the life of Joseph. Michael Tan talked about temptation and recovery with case studies from the bible while John Ng delivered a high impact session on energy management and touched on emotionally healthy spirituality.
A highlight of this retreat is the presence of the former Indonesian Minister of State Enterprise, Mr Tanri Abeng who graciously shared with us rare insights into a political environment with his address on keeping integrity in a world of compromise.
Once again, this class had a great time learning, interacting and enjoying the beaches and Balinese hospitality with one another.
"I learnt how to manage my life by first managing my heart, soul, and mind through the many inputs, experiences; good and bad from all the wonderful faculty of Eagles. Many thanks!" - David Wong.
Class of 2011 - Retreat 4: Coaching, Community and Succession Planning
FEBRUARY 24-27, Chiang Mai
"Thank you, I got my shining eyes back!" - Cindy Koh, Business Owner, Singapore.
"It is very thought provoking, my perspective has been reassessed, and the urgency to do things realigned. I have learned new paradigms of leadership." - Suwanna, Business Owner, Thailand.
"A very informative and practical retreat. I have been empowered to deal with leadership issues of coaching, succession planning." - Vincent Goh, Senior Pastor, Singapore.
The recent retreat at Chiang Mai on Coaching, Community and Succession Planning was again a major turning point in the lives of the participants.
Our special guest faculty, Ms Seah Jiak Choo, former Director-General of Schools, Singapore, was one of the key highlights of this retreat. Her deep insight, practical experience and compassion came through as she shared about the challenges of coaching high performers and under performers.
Lawrence Leong, Assistant CEO of Singapore Tourism Board (STB) was again at his best when he shared from his experience about Leading in Crisis. The wealth of experience in this area, gleaned from his stint in the Army, United Nations, the Formula 1 Night Race, and now at STB is such an inspiration to so many of us.
Another special session was a dialogue with the First Church in Chiang Mai on how lay leaders and clergy can work synergistically was an eye-opener as Pastor Boonyawat, Pastor Ann and Ajarn Golf, who is the Dean of McGilvary School of Theology shared candidly about their joys, challenges and struggles.
Peter Chao spoke about balancing performance with love and leadership succession using the estuary imagery of salt and fresh water. John Ng presented sessions on coaching through role-play and shared a new model for succession planning. We praise God that He has worked again!
Class of 2012 - Retreat 2: Change, Conflict & Politics
OCTOBER 28-31, 2010, Bangkok
"The retreat healed my phobia of conflict" - Jamili Nais
What a wonderful reunion of friends! Most of the participants had not seen each other for 6 months, and it was a welcome sight when this high-energy group came together again.
The session began with each participant focusing on one blessing they had received, as well as one major change in their lives, in conjunction with the theme of the retreat.
Peter Chao taught on Leading in Unchartered Waters, as well as The Forgiving leader. The last session gave everyone much food for thought and reflection, as it was a very sharp reminder of the importance of forgiveness.
John Ng spent a day teaching on Conflict and it was a great help to many who have difficulty managing this area of leadership. Ajarn Montree gave a very inspiring talk on Love, and it was evident that he is a man who practices what he preaches! Of course, his teaching was not the only inspiring thing; his infectious laughter sparked off many a giggle amongst the participants.
Lim Peng Soon taught our participants how to handle change, as well as to help those under them to transit well. Michael Tan and Rev Wong Kim Kong taught on Politics.
Besides the teaching sessions, there was much to do around Bangkok. The participants rushed off to massages, manicures, shopping and night bazaars whenever there was free time - there was certainly never a dull moment!
"This retreat has done a phenomenal job in finding the synergy between theoretical tenacity and practical pursuit" - Suraj Upadhiah
Class of 2011 - Retreat 3: Heart, Mind & Soul
JUNE 24-27, 2010, Haikou
"It is difficult to find a retreat that's both spiritual and practical; a retreat that's run by humility and celebrates weakness, a retreat that I can find both physical and spiritual rest."
The Class of 2011 seem to be making history with their recent ELDP retreat in Haikou, yet another country which no retreat has been done in before.
This group of participants had a very enjoyable stay at the Meritus Mandarin hotel which provided exceptional service. Although the food experience over the 4 days was a little.. too exotic for most of our westernized taste buds, it was altogether a very good experience.
With sessions that touched on Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, Sex, Money, Failure & recovery, it was really quite an intensive three-and-a-half days for the participants. Thankfully, there was ample rest time provided so they had space to digest and reflect.
So this class had a wonderful time in Haikou this time; who knows where they'll be heading to next?
"Heart, Mind & Soul cover issues we need to know well to be equipped as a basic foundation for leadership. Thank you for strengthening these building blocks in my life."
Class of 2012 - Retreat 1: Person, Perspective, Performance & Partnership
APRIL 22-25, 2010, Kuala Lumpur
"The increased level of consciousness of my strengths and weaknesses, the friendships birthed and the spiritual awareness are priceless." - Alvin Foo
What do you get when you put a group of people from different countries, different walks of life, different personalities and different age together? Fun, fun, fun!!
This is how the Class of 2012 kicked off!
It was a truly fun-and-laughter-filled 4 days with this bunch of lively leaders. With participants from countries as Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Singapore spanning the ages of 25-45, there was much to talk about and learn.
The participants learned much about their MBTI personality types from Dr Lim Peng Soon; lessons which would come in handy in their work and ministry. The lessons of not just Doing and Knowing, but also Being, hit home with many of these leaders. They were also challenged to find out the question of Who am I, Whose am I, and Where am I?
It was with reluctance that the participants bid each other farewell, and they were already talking about when they would see each other next in October!
What an amazing class, and we are excited to see how God is going to do a new thing with them!
"ELDP has widened my view on leadership development. It has also challenged me spiritually as well as intellectually to think about how my ministry and the marketplace can grow in tandem." - Dawn Ng
Class of 2010 - Retreat 5: Values, Competencies & Decision-Making
MARCH 18-21, 2010, Singapore
"ELDP means much more than training to any emerging leader; it's a whole process of nurturing God-centered leaders who will go out and lead Christians or non-Christians, small or big, of this world." - Somsuda Boon-Itt
The "TomYam group", as this ELDP Class is called because of the number of Thais amongst them, were reluctant to part at their final retreat. Many asked if they could "re-sit" ELDP again, because they wanted more!
This lively group gleaned much wisdom and insights from Jason Wong, founder of the Yellow Ribbon project. They were also very inspired by the field trip to Northlight School, and in particular learnt that values need to be caught on by every single person, right down to the last man - even the security guards and toilet washers of the school believed and ran with the vision.
With plenty of good food, great conversation and a hearty dose of laughter, the 4 days went by all too quickly!
As farewells were said, plans were made for the Class to get together again. This will not be the last we hear from them, nor will it be the last they hear from us!
"Prepare to be truly transformed into Christ likeness if you allow God to work through them in you" - Ronald Yap
To the Class of 2010, you are a fantastic bunch. May you continue to shine brightly where it is darkest!
Class of 2011 – Retreat 2: Change, Conflict & Politics
FEBRUARY 4-7, 2010, Ho Chi Minh
"Surely God is in this program which has taught us things we don't learn at seminary. Thank you!" - James Nagulan
For the first time in the history of ELDP, the Class of 2011 had our second retreat in the city of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. If we were to give it another name, we would all agree that Ho Chi Minh could also be called "The City of Motorbikes"!
With the millions of motorbikes, crossing the streets without traffic lights was a new, exciting, and somewhat scary thing for some of us!
"Toxic Leaders are nurtured by toxic followers." Michael Tan, Toxic Leadership
"If we don't reinvent, we become institutionalized. To become greater, every institution needs to constantly renew itself." Peter Chao, Leading In Uncharted Waters
"It's transition that people resist not the change." Lim Peng Soon, The Human Side of Change
"The church must be above politics and political structures. For it to be effective, the church needs reflection, discernment and action." Wong Kim Kong, Navigating the Political Landscape
"Smiling Tigers, Hidden Dragons - Leaders need to create a culture where the dragons can be exposed." John Ng, Conflict & Peacemaking.
"Leaders need value, vison and courage. We need to have all of these attirbutes to become great leaders." Tanri Abeng, Guest speaker and former Minister for State Enterprises during ex-President Suharto and Habibe era.
Besides feasting on great food at each meal, participants were also fed with these gems of wisdom from our faculty. We all certainly walked away with tummies, minds & hearts fully satisfied!
"Highly beneficial to equip church and market place leaders. The good food and fellowship is a great plus!" - Claire Au
