Past Retreat Participant Comments

    "Until my involvement with ELDP, I had not discovered that leadership is best developed in the context of community and service. Only in the embrace of friends who are fellow learners, and with the opportunity to practice what one has learned, can a leader truly emerge to fulfill his calling from the Lord. ELDP is precisely that unique gift from Eagles Leadership Institute. It has helped me mature as I seek to become a servant leader. I consider ELDP the best leadership training that is available to a Christian leader."
Tan Poh Kiang

    "I will share what I have learned with my leadership team. I realized how important leaders have to live by our vision passionately."
Budianto, AbbaLove Ministries, Jakarta, Indonesia

    "I have learned what it means to be a God-centered person in daily life. And to understand myself and accept others as they are. And put time and effort to cultivate self-leadership."
Pun, Mahapawn Church, Bangkok, Thailand

    "I have to pay the price for the mental, emotional and spiritual preparation for the leadership marathon ahead as I refocus on God who remolds my character, rekindles my calling and retools my competency for high-octane leadership performance."
Jun, Holy Church of Yahweh, Manila, Philippines

    "The 'Change, Conflict & Church Politics' retreat is even better. Better because the relationship between participants as well as that with the faculty is further developed. The learning in such a redemptive community is enriching."
Tan Poh Kiang, Singapore

    "The ELDP retreats always engage mind, heart and spirit when dealing with complex challenges of leading in the modern world."
Jesse Price, China

    "It brings about a new paradigm on change management and conflict resolution while remaining faithful to biblical principles."
Yong Yi, Malaysia

    "I would recommend this retreat and ELDP to emerging and 'younger' leaders because of its holistic and biblical approach in handling change, conflict and church politics."
Meng Wai, Malaysia

    "This retreat is the treasure for all leaders."
Satanun Boonyakiat, Thailand

    "The ELDP is amazing! In just two retreats, I have learnt a phenomenal amount of what is immediately applicable knowledge."
Chiang Ming Shun, Singapore

From John Ng, ELI Chair

As I read the above responses, the faculty and I feel humbled and grateful for the way God has used us, feeble vessels to touch lives in such a deep way. Praise be to God!

The faculty comes from a range of different disciplines but share a common passion. Dr Lim Peng Soon, who had recently obtained his doctoral degree in change management, leads the group in the process of managing transitions: the human side of change.

Rev Wong Kim Kong, Executive Adviser of National Evangelical Christian Fellowship, enthralls the participants with his wealth of leadership and church experiences on how to prevent, manage and recover from conflict.

Our very own Michael Tan, in his usual animated and colorful way, shares most candidly about good and bad politics as well as toxic leaders and toxic followers.

Finally, in using the imagery of the compass, Peter Chao challenges the leaders to lead in uncharted waters by thinking outside the box and adopting a "blue ocean" strategy, just like the apostles in Acts.

For me, it is a joy to see how the participants interact intimately, share candidly, and pray personally. I see too the commitment of the faculty members, who give their time most generously and openly to each participant. They spend quality time one-on-one to meet with their mentorees and in small groups to listen.

Most of all, God is with us, listening to every conversation, encouraging each heart, comforting every broken spirit, and pushing each one to go beyond themselves.

What is most encouraging is that every participant and faculty recognizes that each retreat is but another milestone in their leadership journey. Now, comes the hardest part - the practice of leadership in real life situations.

As such, I urge you to pray - pray that God will continue to make a difference in their lives and through their lives.

ELDP eagles emerging leader development program



Class of 2012 - Retreat 5: Values, Competencies & Decision-Making

October 25 - 28, 2012; Singapore

The class of 2012 has successfully completed the Emerging Leader Development Program (ELDP) in October with the Commissioning Banquet on October 27. Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee graced the occasion with a keynote address to the graduands, encouraging them to practice the three C's of leadership that he has learned in his years of service as a government minister. The three C's are Confidence, Competence and Compassion.

Summing up his three years of equipping in this program, Dr Jamili Nais from Kota Kinabalu said that he had learned to lead for the long haul just like a marathon runner.

Another graduand, Stephanie Sim affirmed, "As I move to London for work, God will continue to use me to serve the community." Some of the projects that the graduands will embark on include raising up and mentoring young performing artistes, expanding marketplace ministry, training younger pastors for the denomination and providing effective marital counseling program.

Dawn Ng who emceed the Commissioning Banquet aptly described her experience with ELDP by saying, "If you think that there's nothing left to learn about leadership, you have thought wrong. ELDP will challenge your perspective, refresh your spirit and inspire your passion to do even more than you'd ever imagine."


Class of 2013 - Retreat 3: Coaching, Community and Succession Planning

September 13 - 16, 2012; Phuket

The class of 2013 gathered in Phuket for their 3rd retreat on Heart, Mind, and Soul. Speakers included Paul McGee who captivated the group with his highly interactive style of workshop, Pastor Chew Weng Chee who spoke candidly about leadership burnout and prevention, Tan Sri Chan Ah Chye who shared his struggles, failures, trials in his business and the transformation of his life and character. Peter Geizer from Australia gave a most comprehensive talk on personal and corporate finance, advice and information that most pastors are not aware of.

The participants tackled many relevant issues pertaining to sexual temptations, financial stewardship and burnout. Peter Chao provided the focus of the retreat with his morning messages from the life of the Old Testament patriarch Joseph and drew out valuable lessons for leadership.

Patrick Chua from Faith Methodist Church said, "At this retreat, I have learned to avoid burnout and to move beyond failure."

Lawyer Ee Joo Lian from Malaysia commented, "This retreat reminded me to focus on God's purpose and grace as I served him."

Angela Ektrakul from Thailand remarked, "One of the great things about the Christian faith is the freedom to change for the better. I learned how to make changes that will impact my organization and honor God."

Juan Batista who hails from USA has this to say about the program, "ELDP is an excellent tool to bring leadership into God's perspective."


Class of 2014 - Retreat 2: Change, Conflict, and Politics

August 30 - September 2, 2012; Jakarta

The class of 2014 had their second retreat themed Change, Conflict, and Politics in Jakarta from August 30-September 2. They were definitely not experiencing conflict and playing politics as they thoroughly immersed themselves into the learning sessions as well as the rest and recreation times. These emerging leaders expressed their enthusiasm and youthful flair by organizing a dancing party! Many rose to the occasion and assumed leadership of some dance routines. The fun aside, many also expressed important lessons they were applying to their lives.

Moses Deyer who is in the F & B industry as well as active in Abbalove Ministries in Jakarta said, "I have learned what it means to be a forgiving leader and to lead like Jesus. Please pray that I can release forgiveness continually."

Scott Wong from Malaysia commented, "The retreat accurately addresses real world and personal issues for leaders that other training would avoid."

Pastor Alvin Lim from Singapore felt that the sessions on change management had been most helpful for him. "Why learn leadership lessons the hard way when you can be prepared for it!" Alvin summed it all up.

Lawyer Jaja from Thailand suggested outdoor activities to be included to enhance the learning experience. Timothy Nguyen from Vietnam and working in Singapore remarked, "If anyone desires to be a great man or woman of God, ELDP is a must. I have learned to manage conflicts and crises that are inevitable in my life and how to recover from hurts, pains and disappointments at this retreat."

Carol Chyau from Shanghai also asked for outdoor activities and said, "The retreat provides the framework to help us understand the world we work in and praying will help us to prioritize, lead and make the right decisions." These emerging leaders are certainly on track to embrace change, manage conflict and practice good politics!


Class of 2012 - Retreat 4: Coaching, Community, and Succession Planning

APRIL 19-22, 2012; Chiang Mai

Twenty two emerging leaders attended their 4th retreat in Chiang Mai from April 19-22. One of the highlights was a tour of the Royal Project. This project, founded by the King of Thailand, has transformed thousands of acres of opium-populated land and provided more than 200,000 tribal people with a source of sustainable income through the farming of 150 organic crops from tomatoes, carrots, peaches, all kinds of berries, cabbages, etc. Schools and health care centers have also been built to provide education for children who lived in these farms.

Dr Songvut Phetradap, the honorary Director of the project in Chiang Mai said. "I volunteer for this Royal Project because I want to serve the King of Thailand and I want to serve my country because my King serves the country."

The visit was truly inspirational. One ELDP participant remarked, "How much more we must be willing to sacrifice because we are serving the King of Kings, who gave His all for us!"

At this retreat, Seah Jiak Choo, former Director-General of Education, taught the sessions on coaching and encouraged all to build a trusting and caring relationships. From her vast experience, she gave many practical tips on how to manage high and low performers. The participants also benefitted from the sharing of Ajarn Amnuay, Chairman of the Payap University Board. He shared candidly about mentoring people who might eventually turn out to be failures.

He said, "Because Jesus never stop loving me despite my many failures, I will continue to love and mentor. I will do it to the end!" What an inspiration from an 87 year-old leader! Pastor Dan Foo and Dr Peng Chung Mien shared from their hearts, the experiences of pain and joy in building a model for synergistic relationship between the pastoral and lay leadership team. All present were so challenged by their commitment and their systematic, intentional model of pastor-lay relationship. This cohort will be commissioned in October 2012 at their 5th retreat in Singapore.



Class of 2014 - Retreat 1: Person, Perspective, Performance & Partnership

MARCH 1 - 4, 2012; Bangkok

"I am impressed by the high caliber of leaders invited to impart into our lives! More than I had expected" - Alvin Lim, Singapore.

"This retreat is one the best leadership trainings in Asia. It not only focuses on skills but also leadership character. It gives me a holistic view of what a God-centered leader looks like." – Nguyen Ngoc Thinh, Vietnam.

"The retreat has been an incredible time of spiritual rest and reflection to refocus what is important in life" – Chris Wong, China.

"I need to rearrange my work and the way I see things in order to be an effective leader. I have learnt about being more people centered and to be more useful for others than to just pressing on to achieve my goals" – Kwik Wan Tien, Indonesia.

The class of 2014 had participants from Thailand, Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam spanning the ages of 25-45. They gelled almost instantly and shared as much fun times as learning times. In fact, the ladies in this group proved to be even more boisterous than the men!

Once again, Dr Lim Peng Soon imparted much self-understanding through his sessions about their MBTI personality types. Sam Lam challenged them to align what they can do with what they want and should do in order to maximize performance. Peter Chao motivated them to lead for the long haul by building up spiritual, intellectual and relational capital. Lawrence Leong captivated their attention with his take on leading high performing teams while Michael Tan outlined the biblical perspectives of leadership and leading for the future. John Ng impressed upon them the need to be God-centered in all of lives as well as in leading others.

"ELDP is absolutely beneficial to leaders especially Christian leaders serving in the marketplace. This is the most relevant and thought provoking training I have attended as a leader." - Audrey Catherine Siow, Malaysia.