Much of the teaching I received as a young Christian emphasised the need to not let the culture change me. However, it took me a while to realise that I was also supposed to change the culture. I wonder if much of our discipleship of young adults has focused on making believers strong enough to survive the world around them, rather than being bold enough to transform the world they are in.
This is the heart of Transform. To teach, train, inspire and equip a generation of young adults in our church that they can be used by God as transformative agents in their generation and among their culture.
Worshipping, learning, growing together
Transform is the Presbyterian Church in Ireland’s (PCI) Young Adult Conference. Now in its third year, Transform gathers around 100 young adults annually from right across our denomination to worship, learn, grow, talk and eat together over the course of 24 hours. This year Transform is being held on Friday 23rd – Saturday 24th March in the unique setting of Belfast’s Crumlin Road Gaol. For those travelling further, some overnight accommodation is being made available in a few of the cells (just kidding!) in a nearby church hall to keep the costs low.
Kicking off on the Friday evening our first night includes a meal together, a time of worship and Bible teaching and also some time to connect over coffee, donuts and board games. The Saturday morning is packed full of Bible teaching, trigger talks, worship and table discussions, before the Saturday afternoon moves out of the building to hear the stories of imaginative mission projects in the surrounding North Belfast area. There will also be free time to chill out and explore. Transform then climaxes with a night of worship and teaching to send delegates back into their frontlines as His ambassadors.
Freedom
The theme this year will focus on freedom. On how young adults can find freedom in Christ, freedom to live and freedom for mission. All the teaching will emphasise the need to be transformed by Christ so we can be transformative influences in the world around us.
We are welcoming a whole team of contributors to speak, lead and share throughout the gathering. Aaron Elder will deliver Bible teaching during the main sessions. Aaron is in his late 20s and is leading Oxgangs Community Church in Edinburgh. He is passionate about seeing the Church go to new places to reach new people and teaches the Bible in an engaging and passionate way.
We are also delighted that Steve McGall, Youth Worker at Joymount Presbyterian, and his band will be leading worship throughout Transform. Rev. Dave Clawson, Rev. David Leach, Karen Bovis and others still to be confirmed will also be contributing through various trigger talks and workshops. More details about our team of contributors will be released soon via the PCI Young Adults Facebook page.
Sign up
Booking is now open and you can book here. If you are a young adult then let me really encourage you to sign up for Transform, which you can do here, and come along to be inspired in your faith and equipped for your witness.
Sign up yourself, bring a carload and encourage others from your congregation. If you are that little bit older, then please spread the word and put this information into the hands of others in your congregation who would benefit from this gathering. And join us in praying for God to move in the lives of those who come to Transform 2018.
This is the heart of Transform. To teach, train, inspire and equip a generation of young adults in our church that they can be used by God as transformative agents in their generation and among their culture.
Rick Hill is the Presbyterian Church in Ireland’s Discipleship Development Officer.
TRANSFORM 2018 BOOKING INFORMATION
Conference Only Rate: £55
(Conference Pass and Meals)
Conference and Overnight Rate: £65
(Church Hall Accommodation & Breakfast).
Booking is now open at www.presbyterianireland.org/transform
Closing date is Friday, 2nd March 2018.