Vietnam Evangelical Covenant Church – The Women’s Ministry’s women’s autumn retreat 2025 took place from November 7 to 9, 2025 at a resort in the forested hills of Đại Lải. This year’s retreat was called the “Autumn Prayer Retreat”: three days for the sisters to learn about and experience a life of prayer with God together.
See photos: the album “Women’s Autumn Retreat 2025” (176 photos) on the church fanpage
The Retreat Began Before Opening Day
For the organizing team, the retreat did not begin on November 7. Right after last year’s retreat, the Women’s Ministry leadership began praying continually for the next one. Many sisters on the organizing team joined in prayer, seeking God’s guidance for every detail.
During an outdoor prayer time to seek God’s will, the team was led to the verse that would become the retreat’s theme:
“Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3)
And so this year’s retreat was named the “Autumn Prayer Retreat.”
Weather and Prayer
The retreat came right after a storm, and the forecast called for rain all three days. The sisters kept praying and entrusting it to God. Throughout the retreat, whenever outdoor activities were planned the sun came out, and during indoor sessions it rained. On the last day the sun shone for the group photos; just as the last group finished, a downpour began. The sisters said goodbye to the beautiful grounds in the rain, hearts full of gratitude for God’s care in even the smallest things.
Day One: Back to the Foundation of Prayer
The first day had many activities to help the sisters connect with one another. They watched a moving film about prayer together. The film was a reminder that every family needs a “war room” for prayer, and every person needs a personal prayer life with God.
The evening session brought everyone back to the most important foundation of prayer: the cross of Jesus. It is through His sacrifice that we can draw near to God and talk with Him as children with their Father.
Day Two: Building a “Rhythm of Prayer”
After morning worship, the sisters studied the message “A Rhythm of Prayer.” The lesson helped each person become aware of and build a life of regular prayer with spiritual discipline, so that prayer is not just something we do in hard times but becomes our daily breath.
The afternoon group time was deep and sincere. The sisters opened their hearts to share, empathize, support and pray for one another in God’s love.
Saturday Night of Prayer
The most memorable moment of the retreat was the Saturday night prayer gathering. As the sisters came together sincerely, longing simply for God and repenting of their sins, many experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit deeply. Some were comforted, some were set free from long-held burdens, and some received peace and new strength to keep going.
The sisters testified that the Holy Spirit Himself touched and renewed their hearts. That experience became motivation for each person to keep her commitment to a rhythm of prayer after the retreat. The church believes that the Spirit’s greatest work is not found in one night’s emotions, but in lasting transformation in each person’s daily life.
Thanksgiving
The Women’s Ministry thanks God for the delicious meals, the beautiful grounds and the wonderful women who together made the retreat happen. Above all, the sisters thank God for uniting everyone and dwelling among them in love.
The church invites members to pray that the sisters will keep the rhythm of prayer they committed to, and that every family in the church will become a house of prayer.
Women who would like to join the Women’s Ministry can contact the church office at 0942 248 688 (Zalo available). Read 10 Ways to Make Prayer Part of Family Life or see more activities in Church News.
