Christmas Update from the UK

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I pray that this update from the United Kingdom finds you well. It was a blessing to catch up with some of you during my stateside visit this past May/June. 

Reflections

Time does not stand still as we are all keenly aware, but our great reassurance is that God is with us through the seasons whatever they may bring (Isaiah 46:4). I’ve been reflecting on God’s faithfulness, having just wrapped up my 10th year, 20th semester at Calvary Chapel Bible College York. When I left the States, I did not know that this was what God had for me. The door had opened to serve at the Castle (Calvary Chapel Conference Center in Millstatt, Austria) where I initially went on a one-year commitment in January 2015. Through that step, I had a strong sense that another door was going to open. The Lord had spoken to me through the account of Abraham in Genesis 12 where, to paraphrase, God would show him the place after his feet were in motion. Obedience first; details later. Toward the end of my year at the Castle, I received an invitation first to visit and then to join the staff at CCY/CCBCY. I had gotten to know Pastor Dave Sylvester, the pastor in York, while driving the Castle van during the missions conference that summer. So the door opened and I came to York and have been so very blessed to have been a part of the Lord’s work in this place and looking forward to whatever He has in the future. 

CCBCY 

The fall semester ended this past Friday. I was blessed to teach through the Pastoral Epistles and the Gospel of John. We had students from England, Wales, Germany, Mexico, Israel, Canada and the United States. For outreach week we did street worship and evangelism in York and also in the coastal town of Bridlington. There are usually many people out walking in the towns and cities of England; as such, there are some really great spots for outreach.

Aysgarth Falls, Yorkshire Dales

Christmas Market in York City Center

Street Outreach in York

As usual, the whole Bible college went to the Jonas Centre (a Christian conference center) in the lovely Yorkshire Dales for Speaker’s Week, a time of worship and teaching and getting out in nature to hear the Lord’s voice in the beauty of His creation.

     As I do most semesters, I took a group of students to London to see Biblical manuscripts from antiquity at the British Library and also to the world-class British Museum and then to see some of the highlights of London.  We covered 30,000 steps so it was a good walking day!

Hebrides

In July I did some camping up in the western isles of Scotland.  I drove to the beautiful Isle of Skye and from there took the ferry to the Isle of Lewis and Harris where there was a revival in 1949-53 connected with the ministry of Duncan Campbell (the Hebridean Revival).  I went to a mid-week prayer meeting at a church in the village of Barvas (Barvas Free Church) and was asked to open the meeting in prayer which was unexpected but a great honor.

 

York St John’s Christian Union

York has 2 universities: the University of York and York St. John University.  Most British universities have a Christian Union (CU) which is an umbrella type ministry representing various groups of Christians on campus.  I was asked to give a talk at York St John’s CU on how knowing Jesus helps us overcome loneliness.  I was able to give a very clear presentation of the Gospel with the great help of the Holy Spirit.

 

CC York

Calvary Chapel York is thriving with events happening nearly every day of the week.  We’ve had quite a few new people coming.  We had a baptism in the sanctuary after the Sunday service a few weeks ago; always an exciting time.  We also hosted an Answers in Genesis conference back in October.

Prayer Requests:

Please pray for those regularly engaging in evangelism in our city.  The city is quite packed with tourists over Christmas.  Also please pray for our Bible College students, that the Lord would open the appropriate doors for them and that they might continue in the things they’ve learned during their time with us at CCBC York.  Thank you for your prayers and may the Lord richly bless you!

 

 

About Me:

 

Prior to launching out into the mission field, I served at several Calvary Chapels in New Jersey for many years.  I have been serving at Calvary Chapel York, England since 2016.  I teach at the Bible College and serve at the church in a variety of ways including teaching, prison ministry and leading worship.   If you'd like to follow my journey more closely, I have a blog (www.pfgoodwin.blogspot.com).  I can be contacted at pfgoodwin@hotmail.com.

 

If you wish to support this ministry, contributions can be addressed to "Shepherd's Staff" with account #1454 in the memo section of check and sent to Shepherd's Staff, PO Box 24174, Knoxville, TN 37933. Automatic EFT can be set up through Shepherd's Staff website: www.ssmfi.org. Prayers are also greatly appreciated.  May the Lord bless you!

Paul's Spring Update From the UK

Dear friends, I pray that this update from the United Kingdom finds you well.  It has been over 10 years now since I launched out in faith from New Jersey and the Lord has been faithful every step of my journey as the seasons have come and gone.  Some things are cyclical at the Bible College but the Lord always brings fresh opportunities and new things in the midst of that.  We’re down to our last 2 weeks of the spring semester here at CCBC York.  They go by so very quickly.  I am currently teaching through Acts and the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.  As usual, we were blessed to spend a week in the Yorkshire Dales for Speaker’s Week.  It was a lovely time with great Bible teaching in the midst of an idyllic pastoral setting.  Several students were baptized in the River Ure.  Pastor Dave has an old Land Rover so we did a bit of 4-wheeling also.

4-Wheeling with Pastor Dave

Lotherton Hall

I recently had the chance to speak in a 12^th century chapel at a manor house called Lotherton Hall about a half hour from York.   I gave a message on the God of all comfort from 2 Corinthians 1:1-11.  A woman from our church is the curator and she’s hoping to see the chapel used for the Gospel.  Several of us from CC York spoke there over the Easter holidays.

12th Century Chapel at Lotherton Hall

CCBC Jerusalem

I had the most blessed opportunity to teach a block class on the Life of Christ at CC Bible College Jerusalem this past March.  It was a door that opened quickly and coincided with our outreach week in York so I was able to go without missing any classes.  God does some of His finest work on short notice.  Pray for Israel during this difficult season.

CCBC Jerusalem

CC York

Calvary Chapel York remains a light in the midst of a beautiful but spiritually dark ancient city.  As a university city, people from around the world find their way to York and some of those attend our church.  I’ve been leading worship for several years at a Friday evening young adults Bible study and on an average night, nearly everyone who attends is from a different country.  I’m blessed with many opportunities to teach and lead worship and to serve in lots of practical ways. 

CCUK Conference at Oxford

In January I was able to attend a Calvary Chapel UK conference in Oxford.  Renowned Christian apologist and mathematician John Lennox was one of the main speakers; he gave a talk on AI and the implications of it for the church.  Thankfully the essence of what he said was that ministry must have the anointing of the Holy Spirit upon it. 

Upcoming Furlough

I will be in South Jersey from May 17-June 9.  Drop me a line if you would like to catch up! 

Prayer Requests:

Please pray for the City of York and its unique, diverse population.  A nearby hotel hosts quite a few refugees and asylum seekers.  Pray for open doors to reach the lost.  Also please pray for our students that they would continue to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd after their season at CCBCY is over; also that the Lord would send the students He desires to be here for the fall semester.  Thank you for your prayers and may the Lord richly bless you!

 About Me: 

Prior to launching out into the mission field, I served at several Calvary Chapels in New Jersey for many years.  I have been serving at Calvary Chapel York, England since 2016.  I teach at the Bible College and serve at the church in a variety of ways including teaching, prison ministry and leading worship.   If you'd like to follow my journey more closely, I have a blog (www.pfgoodwin.blogspot.com).  I can be contacted at pfgoodwin@hotmail.com. 

If you wish to support this ministry, contributions can be addressed to "Shepherd's Staff" with account #1454 in the memo section of check and sent to Shepherd's Staff, PO Box 24174, Knoxville, TN 37933. Automatic EFT can be set up through Shepherd's Staff website: www.ssmfi.org. Prayers are also greatly appreciated.  The Lord bless you!

Autumn Update from CCBC York

 

Calvary Chapel Bible College York

Dear friends, I pray that this update from the United Kingdom finds you well.  We’ve just past the halfway point of our fall semester here at the Bible College.  I am currently teaching through the Gospel of John and the Book of Joshua.  We have a wonderful group of students this time around representing Canada, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Romania, the UK and the USA.  We’ve just returned from Speaker’s Week in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales where I shared with the students some lessons from Daniel.  While we were there, I met a couple from Delaware of all places- it’s a small world.  Thanksgiving is around the corner which is always a great time as we give thanks to our Lord and enjoy a wonderful meal and time of fellowship with staff and students.

CC Sligo/Ireland

This past July I was blessed with the opportunity to teach and lead worship at CC Sligo, Ireland.  It is a wonderful congregation comprised of members from Ireland, Ukraine and elsewhere.  It was my first time to Ireland and I drove, taking the ferry from Holyhead (Wales) to Dublin.  It was an adventure and a blessing; I got to experience the beautiful rugged west coast of Ireland known as the “Wild Atlantic Way” and also spent some time in the town of Donegal.

Sligo, Ireland

Mullaghmore Head

Austria

I’ve mentioned in previous posts about introducing students to the ministry of the Castle (Schloss Heroldeck) in Millstatt, Austria.  This past summer I spent about 5 weeks there helping out with the ministry and also serving at the nearby Calvary Chapel in the town of Spittal.

Lake Millstatt

CC York

Calvary Chapel York is doing well with numerous ministries operating almost every day of the week at our facility right outside of the ancient city walls.  I’m blessed with many opportunities to teach and lead worship and to serve in lots of practical ways.

 

 

 

Prayer Requests:

Please pray for the City of York and its unique, diverse population.  We have quite a few refugees and asylum seekers nearby.  Pray for open doors to reach the lost.  Also please pray for our students that they would continue to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd after their season at CCBCY is over; also that the Lord would send the students He desires to be here for the spring semester.  Thank you for your prayers and may the Lord richly bless you!

About Me:

 

Prior to launching out into the mission field, I served at several Calvary Chapels in New Jersey for many years.  I have been serving at Calvary Chapel York, England since 2016.  I teach at the Bible College and serve at the church in a variety of ways including teaching, prison ministry and leading worship.   If you'd like to follow my journey more closely, I have a blog (www.pfgoodwin.blogspot.com).  I can be contacted at pfgoodwin@hotmail.com.

If you wish to support this ministry, contributions can be addressed to "Shepherd's Staff" with account #1454 in the memo section of check and sent to Shepherd's Staff, PO Box 24174, Knoxville, TN 37933. Automatic EFT can be set up through Shepherd's Staff website: www.ssmfi.org. Prayers are also greatly appreciated.  The Lord bless you!

Paul's June Update from the UK

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, greetings from the United Kingdom. We’ve reached the end of yet another semester here at the Bible College in York. I was blessed with the privilege of teaching through the books of Acts and Leviticus this time around. Leviticus is sometimes mistakenly thought of as a dry book but in reality it is anything but that, providing great inside into our New Covenant blessings and the finished work of our Savior on the cross. This semester we’ve had students representing the UK, USA, Mexico, Romania, Netherlands, Germany and Israel. Please pray in particular for our Israeli students as all of them have been in the IDF and some are heading back to reserve or active duty obligations.

CCBCY Spring 2024 Semester

Speaker’s Week

About a year ago I mentioned in a blog post a conversation I had with a shepherd named John.  A few weeks ago we were back in the Yorkshire Dales for Speaker’s Week and I met the same shepherd again; he had just finished assisting with the delivery of a newborn lamb- the lamb was about 10 minutes old when I walked up.  It had been breech so John gently pulled it out by the hind legs.  We were talking about sheep and one of the things John said is that shortly after a lamb is born, the ewe (mother) will emit a bleat and the lamb will then respond, effectively exchanging acoustic signatures that both will recognize for the rest of the time they are together.  John said that there can be a thousand sheep in a pasture and the lamb will recognize its mother’s bleat out of all of them.  God designed it to be that way, as a natural bond between creatures but our attention is surely drawn to the embedded spiritual parallel given in the words of our Lord:  “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27).  From the beginning of my conversion experience some 34 years ago I knew His voice; I was born of God (1 John 5:1).  There is nothing like the voice of God; there can be a thousand other voices in our “pasture” but when He speaks, we know that it is Him.  We recognize His acoustic signature.

Shepherd John and I

Austria

Over the past few years I’ve been regularly bringing groups of students to the Castle (Schloss Heroldeck) in Millstatt, Austria during outreach week.  This summer I will be spending about 7 weeks there helping out with the ministry and also serving at the nearby Calvary Chapel in the town of Spittal.

Ewe and Lamb in Yorkshire

CC York

Calvary Chapel York is a thriving international church with people attending from many nations.  One of the greatest blessing of my life has been the privilege of serving this portion of the body of Christ here in teaching, leading worship, and many other practical ways.

York city walls

Prayer Requests:

Please pray for our students that they would continue to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd after their season at CCBCY is over; also that the Lord would send the students He desires to be here for the fall semester. Please also pray that the Lord would give me doors of utterance to share the Gospel this summer.  Thank you for your prayers and may the Lord richly bless you!

About Me:

 Prior to launching out into the mission field, I served at several Calvary Chapels in New Jersey for many years.  I have been serving at Calvary Chapel York, England since 2016.  I teach at the Bible College and serve at the church in a variety of ways including teaching, prison ministry and leading worship.  If you wish to support this ministry, contributions can be addressed to "Shepherd's Staff" with account #1454 in the memo section of check and sent to Shepherd's Staff, PO Box 24174, Knoxville, TN 37933. Automatic EFT can be set up through Shepherd's Staff website: www.ssmfi.org. Prayers are also greatly appreciated.  The Lord bless you!

 

Greetings from the UK

Dear friends, I pray that this update from the United Kingdom finds you well.  The rhythm of life in York continues by God’s grace as I wrap up my 8^th year serving the body of Christ here (and 9^th year on the mission field).  The autumn semester is well under way; I am teaching II Corinthians and the Gospel of John.  As usual, we’ve been to the lovely Yorkshire Dales for Speaker’s Week (with 2 students baptized in the chilly River Ure) and the students have just returned from Outreach Week.  We sent teams to Romania, Belgium and Austria and there was also a team that remained in York to help with the normal weekly ministries happening around here.  I led the Austria team as I have been doing for the last several semesters.

Austria Team

We have Thanksgiving to look forward to in a few weeks at the Bible College where we prepare an American-style meal and serve the staff and students in our main sanctuary.  It’s always a fun time.  Next week we are doing our London trip to the British Museum and library.

Israel

I am sure that many of you are already praying for the situation in Israel in light of recent events there.  The conflict is especially close to us in that we have had many Israeli students pass through the Bible College over the years who have now been activated and are directly involved in the conflict.  One of our current students is an ambulance driver in the IDF and he returned to Israel a few days after the initial attack on October 7.  Another of our former students is a bomb defuser.  Please pray for their protection; also, as they are believers in Christ, pray that the Lord would use them as witnesses before the many soldiers in the IDF who do not know the Lord. 

Scotland

This past summer I drove up to Scotland to visit a friend and former Bible College student and he lent me a tent so I wound up doing a spontaneous driving/camping trip in the Scottish Highlands.  I spent a day on the Isle of Skye simply marveling at the beauty of God’s creation.  I also climbed the highest peak in the UK, Ben Nevis (the other Big Ben).  It was quite a workout at 4413 feet, but like the Christian life, slow and steady wins the day.

View from Ben Nevis

 

Summit of Ben Nevis

On the way back I stopped for the night at Lockerbie; many of you will remember Pan Am flight 103 that was blown up in 1988 over this Scottish town with a number of US servicemen and women aboard.  I was able to visit the memorial garden.

Lockerbie Memorial Garden

CC York

All is well at Calvary Chapel York; it’s an oasis in the midst of our unique and ancient city.  It’s quite an international church with many nations represented.  I’m blessed with the privilege of teaching in the church from time to time and leading worship and serving the body of Christ in general.

 

River Ouse in York

USA Visit

I had a very blessed time back in the USA this past May and June.  It was great to see some of you and to those I missed maybe we can connect next time around as the Lord wills.

Prayer Requests:

Please pray for our students that they would finish well as the semester is wrapping up quickly; also that the Lord would send those that He would have to be here for next semester.  Please also pray for divine appointments as I share Christ with the people of York.  Thank you for your prayers and may the Lord richly bless you!

About Me:

 I have been serving at Calvary Chapel York, England since 2016.  I teach at the Bible College and serve at the church in a variety of ways including teaching, prison ministry and leading worship.  If you wish to support this ministry, contributions can be addressed to "Shepherd's Staff" with account #1454 in the memo section of check and sent to Shepherd's Staff, 6739 Academy Road, Suite 320, Albuquerque, NM 87109. Automatic EFT can be set up through Shepherd's Staff website: www.ssmfi.org. Prayers are also greatly appreciated.  The Lord bless you!

 

 

Calvary Chapel Bible College York

Dear friends, greetings once again from across the sea.  Spring is shaping up nicely and things are greening up.  It’s been yet another great semester at the Bible college.  I count myself exceptionally blessed to be able to do what I do here.  We’ve basically got one week left; graduation is on May 19.  This semester I have been teaching the books of Acts and Joshua.  We have students representing England, Finland, Switzerland, Israel, Mexico, and the United States.

      In March we took a group of students to the British Museum and also the library in London.  London is about a 2-hour train ride from York and there is so much history that is readily accessible.  The British Library has a number of important Biblical manuscripts on display including an original Gutenberg Bible, a Wycliffe Bible, Codex Sinaiticus, and many other items.  The British Museum also contains a wealth of items that support the Biblical narrative.  It’s a great resource that adds to the Bible college experience.

Cyrus Cylinder

The Bible college is quite routine in some ways but always different at the same time.  Every semester we take the students to the Yorkshire Dales where we stay in cabins and spend a lot of time out in nature on walks and listening for God’s voice.  I was walking one morning and met a shepherd named John who was feeding hay to the sheep because the ground was frosted with a bit of snow.  We had a nice chat and I shared the Lord with him.  He said there used to be a real sense of community and spoke of the influence that the Methodist churches used to have but much of that has died out and many of the young people have moved away in search of other opportunities.  Pray that the Lord would send His Spirit and revive these places!

Shepherd John

Austria Team

Every semester our students spend a week on outreach where they come along side another ministry to assist and encourage.  This semester students went to Spain, Italy and Austria.  I led the Austria team.  We led worship at CC Spittal on Sunday and I was able to teach for the mid-week service.  We also did some painting and a spring cleaning at the Castle (Schloss Heroldeck) in preparation for their summer conference season.

CC Bible College York

Prison Ministry

As some of you are aware, I recently went through the application process for a chaplaincy position at a prison that we have been doing ministry in for a number of years.  I did not get the position but before going through the process I had a strong sense from the Lord that He wanted me to apply so I did in obedience.  Part of the interview process included giving a 10-minute sermon before a panel that included the Muslim Imam and some other prison officials so it was a great opportunity to clearly present the gospel to them.

CC York

Our church is doing well; it is a blessing to fellowship with brothers and sisters from a number of different nations.  Heaven is going to be amazing.  Pastor Dave just returned from leading a tour to Israel; people from our church went as well as from a church in the USA.  CC York will host a UK Pastor’s conference in just a few weeks.

Prayer Requests:

Please pray for the UK and King Charles III as he has just been coronated this past week.  Much Scripture was used in the ceremony; pray that he would truly honor the words that were spoken.   Please pray for our Bible college students as the semester ends and they seek the Lord for the right way to go.  Thank you for your prayers and may the Lord richly bless you!

USA Visit

I will be in the USA (New Jersey) from May 20-June 8.  Please pray for traveling mercies and the Lord’s hand upon the time.  I will be speaking at my home church (CC Gateway) on Sunday May 21 for the 9:30am service.  It would be great to connect as the Lord wills!

Autumn 2022 Update

 

Dear friends,

I hope you are well- my apologies for the delayed update.  Time flies.  It has been nearly 7 years since I moved to England, and it is my 14^th semester teaching at the Bible college.  This semester I am teaching 1 Corinthians and the Gospel of John.  What can I say but that I am blessed to be able to do what I do.  God has been at work in every generation (Ps 90:1) and He hasn’t quit with this generation; it’s exciting to see a group of young people who love the Lord and are studying His word and seeking His will for their lives.  We are down to our last 3 weeks of the semester.  The students just came back from outreach week; teams went to Finland, Belgium and Ireland for a week of service and outreach as a part of the Bible college program.  There was also a team that remained in York to serve in various ministries at the church and also did outreach at a local mall and a nearby town. 

     Earlier in the fall we took the students to the picturesque Yorkshire Dales as usual for Speaker’s Week.  Pastor Dave’s brother-in-law Tim shared a series of messages with the students and they were also able to get out and hike and spend time listening for the Lord’s voice in a beautiful pastoral setting.  We also took a group of students from the Church History class to Fountains Abbey which fell into disrepair after the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII.

Fountains Abbey

In the Secret Place

I’ve been reflecting for a while on the idea of the secret place and how God sees us in secret (Matt. 6:6). Serving the Lord can be difficult and just being a Christian contains its own struggles in the sense that we have seen the “consummation of all perfection” (Ps 119:96) but at the same time live imperfect lives in the land of imperfection.  Yet God sees us in secret as we seek to live honest and sincere lives before Him as best as we are able and with the great help of His Spirit.  And there is nothing in all the world like feeling His smile and His pleasure as He looks upon us in the secret place where we are “hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3).  Amen to that.

Thatched Cottage in Yorkshire

Austria

Back in the spring we had taken a group of students to the Castle in Austria as a service project to get the facility ready for summer conferences.  While we were there, I was invited to come back to help out for the busy summer season, so I went for 6 weeks over July and August.  It was a great blessing to serve there and also at the nearby church (CC Spittal) where I led worship over the summer.  We had a baptism at the end of the summer and 10 students were baptized in the lake.  It was a beautiful day recorded in heaven.  Praise our Lord.

CC York

It’s a great blessing to serve the Lord in an international church in the heart of a city with over 2,000 years of history.  It was in York that Constantine was proclaimed Roman Emperor in AD 306.  We are blessed to have university students and congregants from many nations fellowshipping with us. I’m blessed with the privilege of teaching and leading worship in the church from time to time.

 Prayer Requests:

Please pray for the UK as it is in the midst of transition.  As you are probably aware, Queen Elizabeth II passed away in September after a 70 year reign and was succeeded by her son King Charles III.  We have also had several prime ministers in recent days and there is much economic and political uncertainty ahead.  Pray that many would turn their hearts to the living God and be saved.

 Please pray for our Bible college students as the semester ends and they seek the Lord for the right way to go; also that the Lord would put together the student body for the upcoming spring semester. 

 For myself, please pray that the Lord would fill me afresh with His Spirit and that my life would diffuse the “fragrance of Christ” (2 Cor. 2:15) in the places I go.  Thank you for your prayers and may the Lord richly bless you!