About Paul

Paul became a Christian at the age of 14. This was through attending the Billy Graham LiveLink in Bradford at the invitation of the local Anglican church he was part of. This decision to make Jesus the centre of all he is was a turning point - indeed someone the following day made the comment, "Paul, you look different - happier!"

Soon after this event Paul attended a March for Jesus event in Huddersfield - it was at this event God gave Paul the heart for reaching out with the amazing love God has for each and evey person. He became involved in Calderdale for Christ and the God Cares mission held in the Borough in 1992.

Following God Cares Paul became part of the steering group of Calderdale for Christ and was responsible for designing quarterly newsletters as well as organising events such as three March for Jesus days in Halifax Town Centre, visits by children's worship leaders Ishmael and Mick Gisbey (one of the Ishmael events attracted over 450 people with 70 making a decision to become Christians!), and Prayer Celebrations.

Paul also became involved in the Full Gospel Business Mens Fellowship International and served the Halifax group as Secretary and then President for several years. This group helps release people, particularly men, to be the people God called and purposed them to be, and Paul developed greatly through his involvement with this amazing group of people.

In 1998, just as the Internet was gaining popularity, Paul helped develop the Calderdale Christian Web Site. This helped the Boroughs churches become established on the web. This interest in the internet has helped several web sites develop over the years and has helped spread worldwide the amazing news that God loves people and is for people.

Paul has continued to work at seeking to unite the church in Calderdale and bring God's Kingdom to the Borough. He is an active member of Churches Together in Halifax and regularly preaches in churches across West Yorkshire. His heart is to see communities impacted and changed as we demonstrate that God's Kingdom is a reality not only individually but also within communities. He believes passionately that the church needs to be in unity and stand together for the sake of serving and impacting our communities, localities, towns, cities and nations with the Kingdom of God.

Paul's most recent work was setting up and coordinating the Street Angels project in Halifax, which has seen crime reduced and over a thousand people helped since November 2005. The amazing work of Street Angels can be found elsewhere but the work of the fantastic volunteers makes Street Angels possible and Paul and wife Jean are privileged to be part of this.

Paul got married to Jean in August 2006, and feel very much that God has put them together for purpose and to stand and support one another in ministry. The honeymoon took in the sights of Paris, Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay and helped establish Paul's heart to Pastor the Nations. In Brazil Paul and Jean spoke and ministered in several Firesowers meetings with Brazilian evangelist Dario Luiz - to be part of a different culture and way of doing church was an amazing experience.

Paul and Jean continue to serve the town and demonstrate the reality of God's Kingdom locally and increasingly internationally... They have a heart for people and love to see people develop and grow in the people God has called and destined them to be...

 

About Jean

My story begins with my birth, don't worry I am only 29 years old, so how long can this be?

Well when I was born I was only given six months to live as I was very unwell and failed to take any food in any form. Knowing how desperate the situation was, my parents prayed for my healing and I was healed through God's grace and love for me!

I was brought up with this knowledge and a connection with God that ran very deeply throughout my loner childhood. I felt God's presence in my life and felt the Holy Spirit guiding me to tell my friends about him and what he can do in their lives.

Throughout my teenage years I found life very difficult and I eventually strayed from the path of God until I ended up in an unblessed and abusive marriage. While I was taking a journey through divorce I re-pledged my love and respect for God and the wish to follow in Jesus footsteps and promote good living and good decision making under the grace and direction of a loving God.

In my journey, I had to accept that I made a mistake and sinned in God's eyes, I also had to ask for forgiveness, accept forgiveness and learn from my past experiences, using these to help other people make the right choice - to follow God and his plan for their lives.

I then re-married and made this decision through prayer and guidance from God - I am in a blessed relationship, sometimes it is difficult, but is mainly wonderful as we work together very well.

Just because you are an active Christian doesn't mean you are going to have an easy life, I am still challenged by the Holy Spirit to do things I find uncomfortable such as speaking in groups about God and to people I have never met before. Mainly I show God's love to people when ever I can through voluntary and social life. If you are thinking about becoming a Christian, it is challenging but the most gratifying experience on this earth.