Salt and Light
Jesus made a few interesting statements concerning our relationship to the world. In John 8:12 He said that “I am the light of the world”. But then in Matthew 5:14 He said to His disciples that they were “the light of the world” and also the “salt of the earth” (5:13). I used to do some camping back in the day and it was indispensable to have a source of light so I used a propane lantern (before the days of extremely efficient LED lighting). It’s interesting how a lantern works. The mantle, which produces light as the gas burns, is basically a silk sack that has been impregnated with a variety of oxides. The first time a new mantle is used, it is lit and the silk burns away leaving behind a shell of oxides. It is this shell then that produces light as the gas burns. No light is produced if the mantle is not connected to the fuel source.
When we come to Christ, there is in a sense a burning away as the old man dies and is buried in baptism with Christ and raised to new life (Col. 2:12). When we are born again, we all of a sudden become this new thing in Christ where we are able to manifest His light and love to others. We have become mantles that will produce light as long as we are connected to Him. We alone as Christians have this ability, and not of ourselves, but because we have been born again (cf. 2 Cor. 2:16; 4:7). To be salt and light on His behalf is a wonderful thing.
Since moving to the UK a few years ago, the Lord has given me many opportunities to share the Gospel with people in a supernaturally natural sort of way. It’s really quite a simple message, that we’re all broken on the inside as a result of the sin that entered the human race through Adam and Eve but that because God loved the world He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross as the atoning sacrifice for our sin. Because Jesus was the sinless Son of God, He rose from the dead after three days and now anyone who believes and calls upon His name will be saved. It’s a simple message and to some it appears to be foolishness, “but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18). It’s the greatest message in all the world and one worth sharing!
CC Bible College York
We’ve got a great group of students this semester representing England, America, Israel, Spain, and Finland. This weekend we will be taking some of them to the British Museum and also to the British Library in London to see some of the biblical artifacts and manuscripts held there.
This is my fifth semester and each one has a different vibe to it. I am teaching the Book of Acts and it has been a great blessing. This past week was speaker’s week where the whole Bible College went to the Yorkshire Dales for a time of seeking the Lord and hearing His voice. Along this theme, I recently read a great biography of Oswald Chambers (McCasland, David. Oswald Chambers: Abandoned to God. Grand Rapids: Discovery House, 1993). Chambers had a Bible College that operated in London from 1911-15, deciding to close it down shortly after the outbreak of the First World War in order to minister to soldiers in North Africa. The biography describes a time where Chambers along with his family and students from the Bible College went to Askrigg in the Yorkshire Dales for a time of refreshing. It’s interesting that we’re doing the same sort of thing in the same place (Redmire is about 7 miles from Askrigg) about a hundred years later. Seven students were baptized in the Ure River at the end of the week.
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| Baptism in the River Ure |
Prison Ministry
I have been involved in prison ministry since I arrived in the UK a few years ago. I recently went through the application process for a paid chaplaincy position which had become available in HMP Humber prison. I did not get the position but during the interview process I gave a sermon before a panel which included the governor of the prison and the managing chaplain who is a Muslim imam. In the sermon I gave a clear presentation of the gospel. I felt like the Lord wanted me to go through the process with my best foot forward and leave the outcome with Him, so that’s what I did. I still go into the prison monthly with our CC York team and usually either lead worship or teach. There are some regulars who come to our service every month so we have been able to establish good relationships with them. The Lord is doing a good work in the lives of some of these prisoners so please keep them lifted up in prayer.
CC York
It’s a tremendous blessing to be a part of the body of Christ here in York. The church is an interesting blend of Bible College students, university students, and congregants from various parts of Yorkshire. I’ve had a few opportunities to teach on Sundays this semester and am also involved in leading worship which is one of my favorite things to do. Some things on the horizon are the CCUK Youth retreat at the end of May followed by the Pastors and Leaders conference. Pastor Dave is also interesting in doing outreaches this summer in some of the coastal areas.
Hull Outreach
We continue to do outreach in Hull every Friday evening followed by a Bible study. We are currently studying through I Corinthians. The Bible study is still small but we’ve had the opportunity to share the message of the Gospel with many people on the streets over the past few years. Please pray that the Lord would bring increase in His timing from the seed that has been sown. We plan on outreaching with music again as the weather is warming up.
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| Bible Study at Victoria Dock, Hull |
Prayer Requests
Please pray for our upcoming Pastors and Leaders conference at CC York; the Lord’s blessing on the Bible College and church; our service in HMP Humber prison this Sunday; for the Holy Spirit to be poured out in the UK! Also, I have been able to connect with my cousins and aunt who live about 2 hours from York; please pray that the Lord would touch their lives! Many thanks and may the Lord bless you!
About me:
I am currently serving at Calvary Chapel York, England where I teach at the Bible College and serve at the church. In addition to serving in York, the Lord opened the door in July 2016 to begin a weekly outreach Bible study in the city of Hull, about an hour drive from York. If you'd like to follow my journey more closely, I have a blog (www.pfgoodwin.blogspot.com) that I've maintained over the past few years since setting out from New Jersey.
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