2 Oct 2025, 14:17Oyetola & Temitayo Odewusi; Edited by SM CommunicationsDundee, Dundee City, Scotland, United Kingdom
Families Strengthened Through Learning, Fun, and Connection at Retreat
Held from 26–28 September, the 2025 Scottish Mission Family Retreat offered 94 participants a spiritually uplifting weekend of learning, worship, and family bonding.
The 2025 Scottish Mission Family Retreat, held over the weekend, brought together 94 participants for a spiritually enriching and engaging experience under the theme “Families Flourishing in Diversity.” The retreat’s theme song, “With Jesus in the family, happy, happy home,” which celebrates the joy of Christ-centred family life, set a warm and uplifting tone for the weekend.
Participants arrived on Friday to enjoy leisure activities such as swimming, gym workouts, and sauna sessions, easing into the weekend before the programme officially began later on in the evening.
The first presentation, delivered by Dr Leslie Ackie, was titled “Family Flourishing: Honest Beginnings and Hopeful Futures.” Dr Ackie discussed the Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families, highlighting principles such as being proactive, prioritising goals, fostering mutual understanding, and maintaining family synergy. The evening concluded with a short family worship session led by Elder John Mathieu.
Sabbath activities opened with family worship led by Pastor Fitzroy Morris, who emphasised the importance of building and maintaining strong family altars, referencing Joshua 24:15: “…as for me and my house…” Breakout sessions followed, with adults learning alongside Dr Ackie, children guided by Caroline Ndlovu with parental support, and teens and young adults engaged by Neacha Morris and Cedrene Botha. The morning focused on families flourishing through meaningful and honest communication, and featured uplifting performances by the Praise Team and The ECHO.
The morning programme also featured a family health talk by Hazelloy Cameron-Edwards, enriched by Koye Edwards’ personal testimony on mutual support within families facing health struggles.
Elder John Mathieu delivered a sermon titled “Floating the Un-floatable,” based on the story of Elisha and the floating axe head (2 Kings 6:1-7). The takeaway for participants was that the same God is willing and able to transform even the most “un-floatable” situations in life and family, bringing blessings and reflecting His goodness.
The afternoon featured group discussions on embracing God-given roles and responsibilities, with men, women, children, teens, and young adults reflecting on their contributions to family life. Each group presented their insights, followed by a lively question-and-answer session with the speakers. Sabbath evening worship with Pastor Morris underscored faith’s role in family life, after which participants enjoyed a variety of indoor and outdoor recreational activities.
Sunday’s activities began with family worship led by Cedrene Botha, featuring interactive group exercises that highlighted the importance of a strong foundation in family life. Drawing on Matthew 7:24-27 and Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Botha shared how Christ as the foundation strengthens families to endure life’s challenges. She also offered a personal testimony, underscoring the significance of individual and collective faith in family growth.
The retreat concluded with a final presentation by Dr Ackie on “Families flourishing through Wholehearted Love,” followed by a solemn anointing service for all families. Pastors Ackie, Morris, and Elder Mathieu offered prayers for divine intervention to break burdens and strengthen family bonds, inspired by Isaiah 10:27.
The weekend ended with a special prayer of thanksgiving and appreciation for all participants and contributors who made the retreat a memorable and spiritually uplifting experience.
The 2025 Scottish Mission Family Retreat successfully combined spiritual teaching, meaningful fellowship, and recreational activities, reinforcing the message that families truly flourish when rooted in faith, love, and mutual understanding.
Held from 26–28 September, the 2025 Scottish Mission Family Retreat offered 94 participants a spiritually uplifting weekend of learning, worship, and family bonding.
The 2025 Scottish Mission Family Retreat, held over the weekend, brought together 94 participants for a spiritually enriching and engaging experience under the theme “Families Flourishing in Diversity.” The retreat’s theme song, “With Jesus in the family, happy, happy home,” which celebrates the joy of Christ-centred family life, set a warm and uplifting tone for the weekend.
Participants arrived on Friday to enjoy leisure activities such as swimming, gym workouts, and sauna sessions, easing into the weekend before the programme officially began later on in the evening.
The first presentation, delivered by Dr Leslie Ackie, was titled “Family Flourishing: Honest Beginnings and Hopeful Futures.” Dr Ackie discussed the Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families, highlighting principles such as being proactive, prioritising goals, fostering mutual understanding, and maintaining family synergy. The evening concluded with a short family worship session led by Elder John Mathieu.
Sabbath activities opened with family worship led by Pastor Fitzroy Morris, who emphasised the importance of building and maintaining strong family altars, referencing Joshua 24:15: “…as for me and my house…” Breakout sessions followed, with adults learning alongside Dr Ackie, children guided by Caroline Ndlovu with parental support, and teens and young adults engaged by Neacha Morris and Cedrene Botha. The morning focused on families flourishing through meaningful and honest communication, and featured uplifting performances by the Praise Team and The ECHO.
The morning programme also featured a family health talk by Hazelloy Cameron-Edwards, enriched by Koye Edwards’ personal testimony on mutual support within families facing health struggles.
Elder John Mathieu delivered a sermon titled “Floating the Un-floatable,” based on the story of Elisha and the floating axe head (2 Kings 6:1-7). The takeaway for participants was that the same God is willing and able to transform even the most “un-floatable” situations in life and family, bringing blessings and reflecting His goodness.
The afternoon featured group discussions on embracing God-given roles and responsibilities, with men, women, children, teens, and young adults reflecting on their contributions to family life. Each group presented their insights, followed by a lively question-and-answer session with the speakers. Sabbath evening worship with Pastor Morris underscored faith’s role in family life, after which participants enjoyed a variety of indoor and outdoor recreational activities.
Sunday’s activities began with family worship led by Cedrene Botha, featuring interactive group exercises that highlighted the importance of a strong foundation in family life. Drawing on Matthew 7:24-27 and Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Botha shared how Christ as the foundation strengthens families to endure life’s challenges. She also offered a personal testimony, underscoring the significance of individual and collective faith in family growth.
The retreat concluded with a final presentation by Dr Ackie on “Families flourishing through Wholehearted Love,” followed by a solemn anointing service for all families. Pastors Ackie, Morris, and Elder Mathieu offered prayers for divine intervention to break burdens and strengthen family bonds, inspired by Isaiah 10:27.
The weekend ended with a special prayer of thanksgiving and appreciation for all participants and contributors who made the retreat a memorable and spiritually uplifting experience.
The 2025 Scottish Mission Family Retreat successfully combined spiritual teaching, meaningful fellowship, and recreational activities, reinforcing the message that families truly flourish when rooted in faith, love, and mutual understanding.
