Youth For Christ - WA Retreat 2025:
Rejoice! Take Courage! Return to Galilee.
On 26 January 2025, Youth For Christ Western Australia (YFC WA) gathered for their long-awaited and exciting annual retreat. This year’s theme, “Rejoice! Take Courage! Return to Galilee.” set the tone for a day of deep reflection, faith renewal, and joyful fellowship.
The retreat kicked off with high energy, thanks to our lively emcees, Markeisha and Nat. They set the mood for an engaging day ahead.
First up was introducing the worship leader, Elijah, who led the praise and worship alongside the YFC North Chapter Music Ministry.
Elijah invited everyone to pause, take a deep breath, and enter a mindset of worship. His exhortation was particularly moving and one powerful moment was when he asked everyone to close their eyes and reflect on the first time they felt called by God—whether through serving in the music ministry, attending an entry camp, or being inspired by a friend’s faith. This simple exercise helped everyone reconnect with their spiritual journey.
Following the worship, the YFC WA Cluster Head, Bro. Roge, introduced the retreat master in a fun and lighthearted manner, referring to him as a POGI priest—which, as we soon discovered, stood for Presence of God Inside.
Father Christian, with his dynamic presence and humour, immediately captivated the retreat participants, setting the stage for an inspiring and very interesting session.
Father Christian then invited everyone to introduce themselves and choose an object that best represented them. Each item held a unique significance, reflecting their personal values and experiences.
Hurley, for instance, held up a pin that read “Forgiveness heals and renews,” explaining that, like the message on the pin, he believes in the power of forgiveness to restore relationships and bring peace.
Carylle shared a Minion keychain, a gift from her long-distance friends. She expressed that, no matter the distance between them, the keychain served as a reminder that their friendship remained strong and that they always held a place in her heart.
Elijan pointed to a Jibbitz charm on his Crocs that read “Faith.” He shared that this word perfectly describes who he is—faithful not only to his brothers and sisters in Christ but, most importantly, to God.
Father Christian then went straight to the heart of the retreat by exploring the theme, echoing Elijah’s message about returning to their own personal Galilee—a place where we first encountered Christ.
He acknowledged the challenges young people face today—balancing school, YFC service, work, family responsibilities—but reassured them that Jesus walks with us every step of the way.
To deepen their understanding, he instructed all groups to investigate the following bible passages, and these are all the last chapters of the Gospels:
Matthew 28
Mark 16
Luke 24
John 21
Each group was tasked with investigating the final chapters of the Gospels, leading to rich discussions and meaningful insights.
Before continuing, they paused for a well-deserved lunch break, enjoying fellowship and refueling for the second half of the retreat.
Unpacking the Meaning of Galilee
After lunch, Father Christian posed an important question: “What is your Galilee?”
He explained that Galilee is not just a physical place but also a state of mind, a situation, or a choice we make.
For some, Galilee represents personal struggles—physical, emotional, or spiritual. For others, it is the moment they first encountered Christ, such as their YFC Entry Camp or serving in ministry.
Group Reflections
Group 2: Lance shared that returning to Galilee means going back to Christ, to where it all started. He reminded us that Galilee was where Jesus performed His first miracle and began His public ministry.
Group 4: Jasper reflected on the story of the Road to Emmaus, highlighting how the two men failed to recognize Jesus until He broke bread with them. Just like them, we may not always see Christ in our daily lives, but He is always present.
Group 1: Lana shared insights on how each Gospel offers different perspectives, yet all lead to the same truth—Jesus is alive! She emphasized that Jesus spent much of His ministry in Galilee, making it a significant place of faith formation.
Group 3: Jeril pointed out that in Luke 24, the disciples’ transformation occurred in Galilee. There, they were no longer just followers but were commissioned to be apostles, spreading the Good News.
Anamorphism and Perspective
Father then introduced the concept of Anamorphism—a distorted image that only makes sense when viewed from the right perspective.
This, he explained, is how the youth should approach their faith. Sometimes, life’s struggles distort their view, but when they align their perspective with God’s, everything becomes clearer.
He encouraged the YFCs to change their perspective when they go home—to be more present with family and friends, to embrace life’s challenges with faith, and to discern God’s will for them.
He also reminded everyone that suffering, though difficult, can be a blessing in disguise and encouraged them not to run from hardships but to face them with integrity and trust in God.
The Call to Discipleship
Father Christian shared that Catholic theologians see returning to Galilee, after Jesus’ resurrection, as a powerful symbol of faith renewal. It serves as a way to:
Reread life through the lens of the cross and victory
Revisit where Jesus first called His disciples
Regain hope by remembering our personal encounter with Christ
Rediscover the grace of the resurrection
Receive the Great Commission to make disciples
Galilee was significant because it was where Jesus grew up, began His ministry, and performed many miracles. It was also where He confirmed His resurrection and commissioned His disciples to spread the Gospel.
A Message of Hope: Be Not Afraid
As the retreat neared its conclusion, Father left a powerful message from St. John Paul II:
“There is no evil to be faced that Christ does not face with us. There is no enemy that Christ has not already conquered. There is no cross to bear that Christ has not already borne for us, and does not now bear with us. I plead you—never, ever give up on hope, never doubt, never tire, and never become discouraged. Be not afraid.”
This heartfelt message resonated deeply, reminding us that no matter the challenges we face, Christ walks beside us.
To wrap up the retreat, the YFCs had one final game—a voice-guessing challenge featuring contestants Sis. Ampy, Bro. Roge, Carylle, and Elijan. The winner? None other than Elijan, bringing an extra dose of laughter and excitement to end the day.
A Fresh Start for 2025
This retreat was not just a gathering but a spiritual homecoming. Seeing friends after the holiday break, sharing stories, and diving deep into faith together made for a truly refreshing and meaningful experience.
As our YFCs step into 2025, they carry with them the call to rejoice, take courage, and return to Galilee—ready to serve, ready to grow, and ready to walk with Christ.
