Reflecting on the Suhba Retreat: How the Story of Moses Encourages Spiritual Growth

Last month, Engaging Worlds met together for our first Suhba Summit in Turkey!

For two and a half days, over fifteen individuals from across the globe gathered to fellowship with each other and to learn from the story of Moses. Sitting in the cozy atmosphere of a home, we heard from a variety of voices–Turkish, Indonesian, Filipino, American, Persian, Canadian, German, and Swiss. It was such a rewarding experience. What a comfort to be from different cultures and yet be united in the study of God’s Word.

Moses’s story taught us about God’s promises and about the importance of holding onto faith in Him. Through his story, our team also discussed the characteristics of a great leader and how to develop good emotional health. God moves when we open His Word and hear His stories!

In fact, one of our Muslim members shared this interaction with us that she had after discussing Moses’s story with her Suhba group:

"One of my team members [from work] texted me that she wanted to resign. She said she was too busy and was overwhelmed by everything going on in her life.

What I was expected to do, from a management perspective, was to issue a warning. After all, everyone is busy. That’s what I’ve been told. 

But then I remembered our Suhba training. The lesson about trees.

Every tree grows differently. Some need more sunlight, some need shade. Some are thirsty and need water, while others are ready to grow but need the right fertilizer.

So instead of giving her a warning, I sent her a message of encouragement. I reminded her how much she had done and how she had accomplished more than many others in the same role.

And then I transferred her some money–a small gift–and I told her, ‘Go get something nice to eat, or spend time with your friends. You deserve it.’

The next morning, she came back smiling, energized, and working with full spirit.

She didn’t quit.
She blossomed.

My management team was surprised, but I wasn’t. Suhba taught me something I now carry with me daily:

You don’t solve problems with policies, you solve them by knowing the heart. You meet people not with procedure, but with presence.

And sometimes, that’s all it takes.

Praise God for the way He is moving through our Suhba Discipleship Groups! We are so humbled by what He is doing and what He has in store for our Muslim friends.