Sing Hallelujah! Defence Gospel Worship Retreat returns to Beckett House

4 September 2023
faith
Female RAF officer singing with rest of choir in the background.

Singers from across defence have enjoyed three days of worship at a spiritual resilience retreat at the Defence Academy’s Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre.

Gospel retreat delegates outside Beckett House.


The second Gospel Worship Retreat run by the Defence Christian Network (DCN) saw attendees participate in workshops under choir director Denise Wilson, her sister, the acclaimed Gospel singer Monique McKen, and accompanist Jeff Russell.


Speaking at the close of this year’s event, retreat leader Rev. Dr. Brent van der Linde RN said:

“It always surprises me how much joy singing brings, how it touches the soul. It has blown me away how people have grown in faith and confidence during the retreat. As a military chaplain it is important to me to be able to create a space for people to reconnect with God.”

Female RAF officer singing with rest of choir in the background.


In addition to the singing, discussions exploring the connection between the New Testament, the Blues and Gospel were led Dr Gary W Burnett. Dr Burnett is the author of ‘The Gospel According to The Blues’ and teaches New Testament at Queen’s University Belfast. He said:

“Being able to explore and reflect on our understanding of the Gospel, hope, peace, and justice have been key. The diversity and multicultural nature of everyone’s backgrounds here has been hugely enjoyable.”


Major General Andrew Roe, Chief Executive and Commandant of the Defence Academy commented:

“The Defence Academy is proud to have hosted this year’s Gospel Worship Retreat. Faith and belief continue to play a prominent role in the lives of our personnel, both in the UK and on operations.

Male army officer singing.


Defence Academy civil servant, Melanie Cooper-Powell said of her experience:

"The Gospel Retreat was a fantastic space to enjoy singing, learning and lots of laughter! It was a treat to be able to spend quality time in God's presence, connecting with other believers from across the Forces and the Civil Service. It was a great opportunity to make new friends as well as encourage one another!"

The DCN is a quad-service, multi-denominational network for all christians in defence. Its mission is to connect, support and inspire christians across defence, make a positive christian contribution to diversity and inclusion and Whole Force wellbeing and support MOD engagement with christians in wider society.