Lancaster pastor talks about why overcoming adversities is significant for growth
SOCIETIES everywhere throughout history have had some sort of religious leaders. Over time, these men and women became integral parts of society, having a moral responsibility to uphold and learn by example. Oftentimes, people turn to pastors and preachers for support and guidance. But who does a pastor going through his own trials and tribulations turn to?
Some years ago, Ramkumar Singh, known more popularly as Brother Sham, was going through the roughest period of his life. In those years, he sought support from his family and friends, and managed to push through it the way he is today. Today, as a pastor, Pastor Singh has seen his own personal share of challenges whilst dealing with each congregation member’s adversities. He shared that, “Every member of a church that has problems brings their problems to the pastor. But nobody considers what the problems of a pastor are like. They have a place to go to, but whom does the pastor go to.”
Pastor Singh was born and raised in the village of Agricola on the East Bank Demerara before he and his wife got married in June 1982. Moving from suburban Agricola to Lancaster, one of the more rural communities at the time, was a big cultural shift for Ramkumar. “It was a gross change, but I enjoyed the country life. Agriculture was the top thing of the day, which I had no experience in, but I finally learned it. It was fresh food and vegetables and ‘greens’. Everything changed; our lifestyle, our marriage, and Bernice gave me everything I have.”
Today, at 67 years old, Pastor Singh has spent most of his life in Lancaster. He has seen the community go through various shifts and changes in that time. But one of the major shifts that he has been previewing is the lifestyle and behaviour of young people. He shared that, “The elder folks had a unison among them; I do not think that is present today. The first change I noticed is the indiscipline of the younger people.”
Pastor Singh remembers how different the relationship between generations was in his time as a young man. He remembers a time, as so many people do, when there was greater discipline. “In my childhood days, we had to have respect for the elderly,” he shared. Pastor Singh believes that the rules instilled in him as a young man made him into who he is today: A pastor with the Assemblies of God Church. Discipline and his long years of pastoral training, Pastor Singh’s stand, has made him a better person.
Pastor Singh explains that pastoral training is a never-ending process; a task which takes one through rigorous emotional, mental and religious undertakings. Pastor Singh explains that being a religious leader is about leading by example, stating, “There is no limitation to pastoral training. A pastor is a leader and must first live, teach and preach what he believes in. The way he lives matters. It is not only teaching and preaching but, it is moulding people.”
As a societal figure tasked with the responsibility of leading persons, Pastor Singh shared an often-overlooked aspect of a pastor’s life. Regardless of the religion, priests and preachers are seen as pillars in the community. Pillars that seemingly are not allowed to break, as Pastor Singh puts it. He explained that oftentimes, pastors and their families are faced with scrutiny. “People may see it as you are the son of a pastor. You are not allowed to do certain things. But it takes the really mature ones to see it differently,” he said.
Although this is a scenario he has seen repeatedly, Pastor Singh states that a pastor’s life is meant to be difficult. He said, “The Bible says that all that will live godly in Christ will suffer prosecution.” He explained that life’s struggles helped shape an individual for the future. Pastor Singh likened the challenges he faces to the pressure placed on gold. He stated that, “If you want to get the best out of gold, it has to be hammered. It had to be voiced and fired and squeezed. And then you get the refined gold.” He went on further to add that, “Whatever we go through life makes you and I who we are today. What we would have suffered before is what moulds us today.”
As a religious man, Pastor Singh has a unique view of Christmas. He emphasised that Christmas should be celebrated every day. That is celebrating the fundamental belief of the occasion. “Every day should be Christmas in our lives. That is, us honouring who we believe. If we believe that Christ was born, lived, died, resurrected and is coming for us again, Christmas should be lived every day,” said pastor Singh.
