Batticaloa Pastors Conference - A New Dawn

Batticaloa pastors’ conference was held on the 5^th of December2007. Over 140 Ministerial leaders representing the entire Eastern Province were at attendance in this conference. The leaders in the province said they were happy to have such an array of teachers come to the region. Having lost some of the senior leaders to overseas ministerial callings, they said they felt like orphans. Most of the current senior pastors are quite young in age.        

The participants were of all ages ranging from retired senior pastors to budding juniors in the ministry. There were some pastors who had heard of this conference and travelled from Colombo to be present and participate in this conference.  

Rev. Augustine Jebakumar, Dr. Ajith Fernando, Brother Arul Aketell, and Rev Leslie Keegal were the speakers who taught at this conference. Each of their teachings and sessions were very well received and they were sources of inspiration to all. The sessions were of an interactive nature which made the attendees more than mere listeners, but participants.         

The washing of one another’s feet was a humbling ceremony for all that participated. This reminded everyone present once again that in Gods eyes we are all equal no matter what background we may come from and that their primary calling is to serve one another.  

This Pastors’ conference was only part of what we hope to do within this district. We also plan to give 1000 relief packs and also support some workers livelihood by providing boats and fishing nets. The ministry leaders in Batticaloa said that they value very much senior Christian leaders visiting them which for them provides opportunities for learning and offer encouragement. They were particularly requesting for regular visits of Pastor Colton to in Batticaloa.  

We believe we accomplished what God wanted us to accomplish in bringing the body of pastors in Batticaloa together and pave the way for reconciliation. Whole conference was based on the theme of “Reconciliation”.