“The Best for the Master” in big bold letters lit up the stage of the AUP Gym for the annual workers’ spiritual retreat. The two day convocation on January 6 and 7 featured inspirational messages about how teachers could give their best for Jesus Christ the Master Teacher on Friday night vespers, and on Sabbath for Sabbath School, Divine Hour of Worship in the morning, Afternoon Session, and Commitment Service. Resource Speaker was Dr. Dan Smith, an SDA global evangelist, with D. Min. and D. Div. degrees from Pacific Union College and Seminary. He is engaged in missionary work and pastoring churches for 45 years until retirement, and at present in speaking ministry as well as developmental projects mostly in Southeast Asia, and is known worldwide as Pastor Dan. Among his strong maxims, “You can’t multiply your life faster than by being a teacher.”  

The faculty and staff were divided into 57 groups with around 6 to 7 members each composed of workers from various departments for the group dynamics,  sharing insights, and experiences on 3-4 posted questions after Pastor Dan’s message of each session.  Worship leaders for each session were AUP Academy, College of Theology, Elementary, Student Services, and COB. A token of gratitude was presented to Pastor Dan by the University officers led by Dr, Araceli Rosario, President. The Spiritual Retreat was coordinated by the office of the President through the Religious Life office. 

Spouses who are non-AUP workers also joined the retreat.  As the faculty and staff exited the gym AUP workers talked about how they could emulate the Master Teacher with their students. Bonding continued through pictorials by discussion groups, departments, husband and wife, with Pastor Dan, friends, and solo shots which were generously posted in the workers group chats despite intervening power outages in the afternoon.