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YPPH Annual Retreat 2026: Created, Renewed, and Transformed in Christ
25-September-2026
Yayasan Pendidikan Pelita Harapan (YPPH) held the YPPH Annual Retreat 2026 on Friday, September 25, 2026, at the Grand Chapel Auditorium, Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH), Lippo Village, Karawaci, Tangerang. Carrying the theme “Imago Dei — Image and Likeness of God: Created, Renewed, and Transformed in Christ,” the retreat provided an opportunity for the YPPH community to reflect once again on humanity’s identity as created in the image and likeness of God, as well as its calling to live and serve in Christ.
The annual retreat brought together members of the YPPH community as a space to pause from their daily routines, deepen their reflection on faith, and revisit their calling in their respective roles within education. Through a series of sessions, testimonies, prayer, worship, and shared reflection, participants were invited to consider how faith in Christ shapes the way they understand themselves, engage in learning, serve others, and carry out their responsibilities in everyday life.
The theme of Imago Dei served as the foundation throughout the retreat. As human beings created in the image and likeness of God, every individual carries both inherent dignity and the responsibility to reflect His character. However, humanity’s fall into sin has affected various aspects of human life and relationships with God, others, and creation.
In Christ, humanity receives hope for restoration and renewal. Therefore, the life of a believer does not end with the identity of being created by God, but continues through a process of renewal by the Holy Spirit, growth in holiness, character, wisdom, and obedience, as well as the calling to live a life that increasingly reflects Christ.
Created, Renewed, and Transformed in Christ
Throughout the retreat, participants were invited to reflect on the journey from Creation, Fall, Redemption, Transformation, to Vocation. This framework served as a reminder that an understanding of human identity cannot be separated from God’s work in creation and redemption.
Human beings are created in the image of God and called to know Him, love Him, serve others, care for creation, and faithfully carry out the responsibilities entrusted to them. Yet sin has affected every aspect of human life. In the midst of this reality, hope is found in the redemptive work of Christ, through which humanity’s relationship with God is restored.
This renewal continues to unfold in everyday life. Through the process of sanctification, believers are continually shaped to grow in character, wisdom, and obedience to God. This transformation is ultimately connected to vocation, the calling to approach every work and responsibility as part of serving the Lord.
In this way, life and learning are not viewed as separate from faith. Both are part of the calling to live before God, develop the potential He has given, serve others, and contribute to the flourishing of the world.
Reflecting on Faith Through the Retreat
The YPPH Annual Retreat 2026 began with registration and an opening worship service, followed by remarks from Dr. Ir. Jonathan L. Parapak and an opening address by Dr. James Riady, YPPH Founder and Chairman.
The main sessions throughout the retreat invited participants to reflect on various aspects of the Imago Dei theme, from human identity in creation and the reality of the Fall to the ongoing process of growth, renewal, and transformation in Christ.
In addition to the main sessions, the program featured testimonies from representatives of the YPPH community, question-and-answer sessions, as well as opportunities for worship and shared reflection. Together, these activities created a space for the community to deepen its understanding of faith while connecting it with everyday life, work, and individual calling.
Living Out the Calling in Education
As an organization committed to education, YPPH views human formation as an essential part of its calling. Education is not only about developing knowledge and skills, but also about shaping character and cultivating lives rooted in faith in Christ.
Through the theme “Imago Dei — Image and Likeness of God,” this year’s retreat reminded the entire community that every individual is created with dignity and purpose that come from God. Therefore, educating, learning, leading, serving, and working are all part of a journey of being continually shaped and transformed in Christ.
This calling is also reflected in YPPH’s commitment to providing education that goes beyond the pursuit of academic excellence, while nurturing individuals who embody true knowledge, faith in Christ, and godly character.
Ultimately, the YPPH Annual Retreat 2026 provided an opportunity for the entire community to return to the foundation of faith and reflect on how the identity of being Imago Dei should be lived out in everyday life. As individuals who have been created, renewed, and continually transformed in Christ, every member of the YPPH community is called to live faithfully, serve others, and use every opportunity entrusted by God for His glory.