To understand how Calvary Chapel Hastings came to be there really must be two stories told side by side. As the Lord was preparing Doug Keen, who was teaching at the Bible college in York England at the time to be our pastor He was also working in the lives of a hand full of believers in the South East coast of Hastings. In the summer of 2006 Doug Keen and I both attended the Shepherds School put on by Calvary Chapel York. This is a ministry developed for recognizing and growing the gifts of those who desire to serve in the ministry. During one of the Bible studies the Lord began to speak to Doug and reveal His plan to bring Doug and eventually my self to Hastings. Doug heard from the Lord in a very clear word that He would be sent south. Now, it wasn't clear exactly where or when or how, just that the Lord was going to send him south. Doug went home and with excitement began to tell Lisa (his wife) of what the Lord was speaking to his heart. So, the two of them committed this to the Lord through prayer and began to wait to see what Jesus was going to in their lives.
Well, it wasn't a long wait. The next day Doug was approached by Dave Sylvester, the Senior pastor of Calvary Chapel York and director of the Bible college. Dave began to tell Doug that he had received a letter about eight months ago from a couple in the south east coast who greatly desired a Bible based church. Dave explained to Doug that he had been praying about what he should do, and then the Lord put it on Dave's heart to ask Doug if he'd be willing to move to Hastings and plant a church. After praying for direction Dave and Doug felt the Lord leading them to go to Hastings to meet with the couple who wrote the letter, (Tommy and Sarah Fretwell). It wasn't long after that that it became clear that the Lord was calling Doug and Lisa to plant a church in Hastings. Meanwhile, there was as just an amazing work happening in Hastings as the Lord was preparing a small group of Christians, along side with Doug to begin what is now CCH.
How'd I get involved? Well Doug and Lisa were getting ready to move I asked Doug if he needed any help in moving. He replied "yeah, why don't you come with us". I thought this meant just to help move. I replied, "yeah sure, I'd love to help you guys move", but I was shocked by Doug's reply. He said "no, I mean, why don't you move down with us". I guess the rest is history. After much prayer and a few trips to Hastings it became clear the Lord was calling me to serve in England.
We started our first Sunday service in October of 2006 with small handful of believers in Doug's living room. Were now a church of one hundred and growing and I count myself incredibly blessed to be apart of what the Lord is doing here in Hastings.
