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!