Autumn in the UK

Calvary Chapel Bible College York

It has been a busy semester here at the Bible college.  I am currently teaching through the Gospel of John which has been a great blessing.  Last month we went away with the students to the Yorkshire Dales for speaker’s week, a time of reflection in a beautiful pastoral setting with green hills and many sheep.  In addition to spending time with the Lord, we enjoyed some great Bible teachings from guest speakers.  Peter Will from CC Hanover, Germany shared several messages.

We cooked on a wood-fired grill in the Dales; I got to split
some wood which is a great autumn pastime!

 CC York

Things at the church have been quite busy as well.  The church has a diverse makeup of university students (York University and York Saint John’s), Bible college students, and regular attendees from the community. This makes for a dynamic international fellowship.   There are quite a few university students from Hong Kong and China who come to the church and will at some point be heading back to their respective countries so it is exciting to ponder how the Lord might eventually use them.

I am still in the worship leading rotation at the church, which has been a blessing.  When I became a Christian, I didn’t play guitar and never intentionally set out to become a worship leader; it’s just something that God gave me over time for which I am grateful.  I am also still actively involved in the prison ministry.  At present we are going into HMP Humber Prison once a month on a Sunday to minister to the inmates.  We conduct a service which includes worship, teaching, prayer, breaking bread (or biscuits), and fellowship- sort of like Acts 2:42!

Hull Update: Bible Study

Through a series of events, the Lord opened the door to begin a weekly Bible study in Hull back in July. The study has been slow going with a small handful of people who come with me from York but it has been rich with the Lord’s presence.  We worship the Lord, have a Bible study, and spend time interceding for the city.  I usually come to Hull one other day per week besides the Bible study day and the Lord nearly always brings at least one person across my path with whom I am able to share the Gospel.  We believe that the Lord is wanting to do a work in the city but we are in a season of prayer and sowing seed wherever it has the potential to take.  We brought a team of Bible college students over last week and did an outreach with music and evangelism in the city center.  The Lord gave us perfect weather (for England; no rain!) and our group had quite a few conversations with people as Dave and I played worship music.  Please pray for the Lord’s will in Hull!

Homeless Encampment by BBC building in Hull

 UK Driving License

I recently passed the theory (written) test for my UK driving license.  I am scheduled to take the practical (road) test on January 11.  The test lasts forty minutes and I am told that it is easy to fail the first time due to technicalities; please pray that I pass it the first time around!

USA Visit

I will be in America from December 16 through January 3 and will be teaching Sunday morning (12/18) at Calvary Chapel Gateway in Northfield, NJ.

Sheep in the Yorkshire Dales

"For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.  Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name" (Hebrews 13:14-15).

As always, prayers are greatly appreciated, particularly as the Holy Spirit leads.

Blessings,  Paul