“Be Transformed”
Seminar for Pastors and Christian Leaders

“Transform one’s self to transform the church in order to then, transform the nation”

“Transformation” was the theme of this seminar, organized by the Missions Commission  of NCEASL, which was held on the 18th of February 2008 at the Taj Samudra. As pastors from various churches, representing many denominations gathered, the seminar got under way with a time of worship, conducted by a team from NCEASL. As the worship time came to a close 215 Pastors, Lay preachers and workers had taken their seats eagerly waiting to hear what the day would hold for them. Before the Charles and Hillary Price took over the proceeding for the day all the participants paused for a time of silence and prayer for the pastor who was martyred in Ampara.   

The 1st session by Charles Price was based on the book of Jeremiah. Through the life of Jeremiah, a prophet that used the word "to turn" or "repent" more than any other prophet in the bible, Charles Price highlighted the fact that Christians have been and will continue to be persecuted and evil men will continue to increase. ‘I am sending you out like sheep amongst wolves’ says the Lord in the book of Jeremiah. In chapters 11, 15 & 18 it speaks of where Jeremiah was persecuted in his own homeland, he was rejected in his birth place and those around him constantly slandered him. In a time where Christians face many struggles within their ministries and where living a day to day Christian life keeps getting harder this message may have seemed depressing of sorts. Yet the emphasis of his message was that even though persecution would be ever present, God is ever present too. As he put it, ‘’God takes us to things not from things’’. Charles Price spoke of how God puts our tears in a bottle as an investment and as evidence of God working in our lives. Falling upon the back ground of the martyrdom that took place the day before, this message reminded all that though we walk through hard, rough and painful paths in our Christian life, God helps us and guides us. Looking back at the hardest times in our lives reveals the presence and the power of the Lord. For each pastor and Christian leader present at the seminar this was a resounding message of hope that persecution leaders to transformation which transforms weaker to stronger and faithless to faithful.

The tea break was taken after this session. This free time gave the participants time to speak to each other and share their thoughts about the session as well as to share about their ministries. 

Charles Price’s wife, Hillary took the next session as she shared about ‘being overwhelmed’. Reading from Mathew chapter 14, Hillary Price based her session on 3 incidents / stories found in this chapter. In these three stories it speaks about the disciples and even Jesus being overwhelmed because of various situations in their ministry and their lives.  The three stories where;

a.       The beheading of John the Baptist

b.       The feeding of the 5000

c.       Stilling the storm

The disciples of John the Baptists’ were drawn to Jesus with the news of the death of John the Baptist. Jesus hearing this drew himself to a place of solitude. The disciples were overwhelmed when trying to tackle the issues of having to feed the mass crowds that had come to listen to Jesus. As they approached Jesus with this problem, He solved it. Then again when in the middle of the storm fear griped them once again. Here too Jesus took charge of the situation and stilled the storm. Concluding her session, the message she left with all was that in times of sorrow or any overwhelming situations one needs to reach out through that particular situation and find the man or sorrows. Everyone needs to go through times that are rough and painful, but victorious are those who find God through it. 

What happened next could be highlighted as a high point in this seminar. Owing to suggestions that came from Charles Price and some of the NCEASL staff, it was requested that an offering be taken to assist the family of the slain pastor from Ampara. Instantly everyone dug deep into their wallets and purses. Amidst songs of praise two make-shift collection bags were passed among the participants. As the collection bags were returned to the front everyone bowed their heads as one of the pastors offered a prayer.

The lunch time was, once again a time of fellowship for the participants. And as the lunch time drew to a close it was time to go back to the seminar hall for the third and final session for the day.

This session was once again conducted by Charles Price. He started by mentioning an art competition that tool place in England. Based on ‘Peace’ there had been two winning entries. The painter who received 2nd place had painted scenery which depicted a beautiful lake sounded by mountains on a summer day and there was a family of ducks swimming along on the lake. The 1st place went to a painter who had painted a stormy disturbing scene. The oceans were raging within the storm as the winds howled around in madness. In a cliff that bent over the ocean, on a tree that was resting within a small cleft was a nest. And there on the nest rested a sea gull with its eyes closed. Through this story Charles Price spoke of the sense of peace one has, even when the storms are raging, there in the stillness in the presence of God, it is peaceful. 

In this session Charles Price spoke about the life of Paul and his ministries. “In plenty or in need, clothed or naked, I have learnt a secret. I can do all things in Christ and for this I have Jesus’’ says Paul. Even when we have plenty, even we have nothing; many pastors at this seminar were able to relate to this phrase. Each of them has been through times of plenty and times of absolute nothingness in their ministries and in their personal lives. “For this I have Jesus”, as these words echoed from Charles Price, “Amens’’ echoed back from the some of the participants reconfirming the ever present held and comfort of the Lord in times of gladness and in times of dire want. 

“Transformation is allowing Jesus to be a part of every situation in our lives and knowing its to Him we should turn. Jesus who is enough when you grieve, when your in over your head, when you don’t have enough, we can rest in Him. For this I have Jesus” Not to tell God to take you out of the situation but to let God bring you through it. For this I have Jesus”. With these words Charles Price brought this session to a close. 

Before the closing prayer and the end of the seminar participants were asked if they wished to share any thoughts with the others. 

One participant from Agape Ministries shared the following. “It was very encouraging to hear your message especially in this season of discouragement.  And as we heard about the murder of the Pastor in Ampara, your message today was truly God sent. God brought you here at the right time. It is also an encouragement to see that you were willing to come at a time when our county has plunged in to unspeakable levels of violence “.

”Thank you for your message it was truly encouraging. I have been preaching for a long time yet I have not seen any results (transformation) yet. But now I know I will see those results in the time. Thank you”. With these words of thanks from an Anglican Reverend and closing prayers were offered by a pastor from the Methodist Church the seminar was brought to a close.