From Fun to Framework: A Day of Planning, Learning & Laughter

Sixty seconds left: no words, no movements, no hitting legs under the table. The puzzled shapes are running out of time to form five squares. Tick tock. Tick tock. And time’s up! What is left on the table are confused shapes, two full squares, a slightly crumpled piece, and the funny faces of a curious team. This was no ordinary game. It served as the afternoon’s starter, continuing the day’s fun-filled learning on teamwork, communication, and how even silent actions shape shared outcomes.

On Tuesday, 22nd July, CIM’s staff had a fun-filled, enriching day with Mr. Jayawant Michael, Senior Lecturer at the University of Doha for Science and Technology. His professional journey has taken him across several countries, working in the fields of banking, credit cards, pharmaceuticals, and education. Guided by the Holy Spirit, Jeyawant, along with his wife Shammi and a few others, helped launch the EPIQ Youth initiative.

From Head to Feet. 

The retreat began with an icebreaker that reminded us we are members of the body of Christ—some are eyes, some hands, some feet—with every part essential and irreplaceable. Using this illustration, Mr. Jeyawant invited each staff member to randomly pick a card with a body part, reflecting on their role at CIM in building its body.

Rivers of learning

 “Learning must be intentional,” Mr. Jeyawant said, recalling a poem by Samuel T. Coleridge, he mentioned that we cannot be a flower wasting its fragrance in the desert. Learning and development are not just for oneself. It is for others, for giving. 

As we reflected on our journey of learning, growth, calling, and challenges, we realised how God is the ultimate source of our learning, the Mastermind orchestrating the very flow of our lives. 

Commitment and Competence

In the nonprofit world, two things go hand in hand: commitment and competence. “Commitment without competence is like a bull in a china shop,” Mr. Jeyawant said. We were asked to prayerfully journal areas where both our commitment and our competence are most needed for our work in CIM. Reminding us that if we don’t act on a goal within a month, it’s unlikely to happen, he challenged everyone to take one action step within the next 30 days.

Flourish Flexibly 

Flexibility was the next topic we reflected on. In groups, we brainstormed how adaptability can either benefit or hinder us. “Your mind must be like a parachute—it must be open. But not so open that your brains fall out,” he added in a humorous tone, following a self-assessment exercise on discovering everyone’s capacity for change. 

Vision-Driven Planning

As the day came to a close, the focus shifted from personal growth to collective mission. The final session encouraged us to apply the day’s learning to the upcoming India Management Summit’s (IMS) planning. From logistics to media involvement to volunteer orientation, the teams worked together on planning for the event. 

Discussions also turned to the recruitment and orientation of volunteers, highlighting the importance of aligning them with CIM’s vision. “Volunteering is a privilege,” Mr. Jeyawant reminded us—not just an extra hand, but a heart aligned with purpose. 

We left the room not just with notes, but with a rekindled purpose—knowing that what we do is not just work, but a calling to build the body of Christ.