Rev. and Mrs. L. Goodwin

I was brought up in a Christian home in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. My father had a dramatic conversion in prison and was wonderfully changed by Jesus Christ which affected our home. The time came when I, too, was impacted by Christ and decided to follow Him. But He also gave me a call to work for Him.

In preparation for service and ministry I entered the Assemblies of God Bible College in Mattersey as a student and graduated. It was there that I not only received vital scriptural and spiritual training that has been an asset to me over the past 27 years, I met a young lady named Jacqueline, who was to become my wife and partner in Christ’s service. She was the daughter of the Dean, Rev. E. Anderson. It 1980 we were married and so for the past number of years have faithfully worked in harness for Christ.

We have pastored churches in Wrexham, Bolton, Peterborough before going out to serve as Dean in the Africa School of Missions and theology lecturer, situated at White River. This was a very challenging and fruitful time in our careers for God. One of the choice things that occurred whilst out there, I was able to be Chaplain in the famous National Game reserve at Karuga. We were able to take a few days off and see so much of the animals in their natural habitat and serve as guide to many friends and family.

In returning to the UK over nine years ago, we assumed the senior pastoral oversight at Louth, Lincolnshire. It was a church that my father-in-law had looked after many years ago and witnessed so many choice things happening there. The Lord gave us a word that we were to reopen the wells that Isaac had opened. We sensed from the start that we were to enjoy the favour of the Lord.

This has taken place as we have seen many things happening in terms of divine blessing. We have a superb ministry team. Over the past months we have been able to purchase a property in the centre of the town that was available 80 years ago to the church but was refused. It is an excellent site with good amenities for the spread of the Gospel and His kingdom. We are in the middle of seeing it renewed ready to fulfil a terrific ministry.

During nine years of ministry at Louth, I have been a director of a community project, chair of governors at a local primary school, chaplain to the District Council and supported a successful church plant at Alford. I have been in full time ministry for 25 years and am currently studying for a MTh at Mattersey.

We have four grown up children, Esther, Luke, Nathan and Hannah who we love immensely and desire to see them serving Christ.

The Lord has been most faithful and blessed us in every way and we have been able to touch many lives for Him. Our vision and passion is for Missions and we look forward to be able to do a major job for Christ in this in the future through His mantling and blessing. Leigh has recently been appointed to the World Ministries team with responsibility for Russia and the Stan republics, which reflects his commitment and passion for global missions.