The three-day series started on Friday (August 3) and was presided over by Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (OrBorJor) president Paiboon Upatising.
Those attending included OrBorJor permanent secretary Manop Lilasutanont, Phuket vice governor Dr Sommai Preechasilp, representatives of various Phuket Christian groups, Phuket civil service chiefs and “honoured guests”.
Mr Manop told reporters that both the OrBorJor and the Harvest Evangelism organisation realise how serious are the various social, economic, governmental and educational problems of today.
“The Transform Our World seminars have been organised to address these issues,” he explained. “The object is to share ideas about transforming Thailand that can be implemented by business, government and educational institutions.”
The latter he described as “the heart and soul of our nation’s progress and development.” He added that the seminars are also a spur to “tourism in Phuket.”
Speakers, he said, included people with “experience in transforming the world,” from the United States, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Thailand’s Harvest Evangelism directors.
They included Barbara Chan, a former Hong Kong judge “who invited Christ into her courtroom with accompanying signs and wonders”; King Flores, director of Harvest Evangelism Philippines, which “transformed” Paranaque City, and “which has now grown into a national movement … where businesses are being dedicated to God”; and Brian Burton, senior pastor of Phuket Christian Centre and director of Harvest Evangelism Thailand, who affirms that “Transformation principles” have resulted in “tangible ways of eradicating poverty and corruption” accompanied by “testimonies of miracles”.
“These seminars are another historic event in Phuket,” said Mr Paiboon, Phuket’s highest elected local official.
“Leading Christians from everywhere in Phuket – government, private sector and from every Christian church – have gathered here to bring transforming religious beliefs for use in people’s lives.
God has transformed the world in many ways through belief, whether in the Philippines, Korea, or other countries.” He said the joint prayers of Christians in Phuket have already led to “many changes” here.
“I am sure,” said Mr Paiboon, “that this year’s Transform Our World seminars will bring many, many good changes to Phuket.”
The seminars ended yesterday (August 5).