Recognised Local Minister Link Tutor and EtM Hub Co-ordinator (London)
Email: p.hill@spurgeons.ac.uk
Paul is a passionate and proud Welshman from Swansea, who came to London in 1969 to join the then Metropolitan Police Cadet Corps. He was attested Constable in 1971 and retired as a Chief Inspector in 2001.
Paul’s first personal contact with Spurgeon’s was in the early 80s, when he enrolled in the 2nd batch of part-time students for the University of Cambridge Certificate of Higher Education in Religious Studies. The only concession to part-timers was to be allowed to take the exams in 3 sittings over 5 years instead of 3. Paul did it in 3 and graduated in 1985. He was involved in preaching, singing, leadership roles in Church and the Christian Police Association throughout his Police career, during which his policing skills were called upon by various Christian churches and organisations, including the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, which led to Paul being on the London Executive Committee for Mission ’89, the largest Christian Mission in the world. Upon retirement from the Met. he returned to Spurgeon’s in 2001, becoming a Student Pastor, and graduated with a B.D. (Hons), University of Wales, in 2004.
His first Pastorate was in London in a very wealthy church in an affluent area. His second and last was in total contrast in North Gillingham, Kent, then the second most deprived Council Ward in the UK. Nevertheless it was joyful and fruitful. Upon “retirement” in 2017, Paul gave himself a 6 month sabbatical, then returned to preaching in various churches, as requested. He was soon to become a regular preacher at Norbury Baptist Church, his second placement church as a student, and from which the Pastor retired in 2018. The situation developed into Paul becoming Pastoral Advisor, then Co-Pastor alongside the official Interim Minister, Rev. Professor Philip McCormack.
That situation remains today and Paul feels so very privileged and blessed in being able to serve in a church and amongst people that he loves and that love him. Likewise in being given the opportunity to serve in some small way as Spurgeon’s RLM Link Tutor and London Hub Co-ordinator (Equipped to Minister), thereby assisting current and future Church Leaders to be equipped for ministry, now and in the future.
In the course of his Police Service and in his Church Ministry, Paul has had the privilege of engaging in evangelism, preaching, and teaching in 7 different countries outside the UK, including consistent missions in Belgium, Haiti, and Uganda, mainly amongst the South Sudanese refugees. The missions to Haiti and Uganda have been in association with Hope Health Action, a British Charity co-founded by his youngest son, Carwyn, who is CEO of the charity and who was honoured with an MBE in the King’s first Birthday Honours List in 2023.
Paul is also the Honorary Chaplain to the London Welsh Rugby Club, a position he has held since c.2007. He has many interests, including music and travel, but most importantly his family.
