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Anglican

Anglicans form the family of Christians closely related to the Archbishop of Canterbury. Whilst tracing their inheritance back to Christ and the earliest Christians and to the ancient Roman Catholic church, the sixteenth century Reformation was a crucial moment for Anglicanism.

Diocese

‘Diocese’ refers to the geographical territory in which a bishop exercises oversight. The Church in Wales is divided into six dioceses each with its own cathedral in which is housed the cathedra (the bishop’s ‘chair’ or ‘throne’).

Holy Communion

At Holy Communion blessed bread and wine is shared, by which we receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The congregation gives thanks for Jesus’ life, his death and resurrection and his continuing presence. See also Eucharist.

Lent

Lent is the six-week period leading up to Easter. It is a particular time to confess sin and to seek personal and collective renewal (a ‘springtime of the spirit’). Lent has a special focus on Jesus’s journey to the cross and prepares the Church to celebrate his resurrection.

Llandaff Centre of Mission

A partnership between the Diocese of Llandaff and Church Army.

Prayer

Prayer sustains our human relationship with God and may involve words (formal or informal) or be silent. Prayer can involve adoration (‘I love you’), confession (‘sorry’), thanksgiving and supplication (‘please’).

Home News and Blogs Journeys of Faith: Paul Booth

Journeys of Faith: Paul Booth

Blog Posted: 15 April 2025

Throughout Lent we'll be hearing stories of faith from across the Diocese. This week we hear from our Director of Mission, Paul Booth...

I was brought up in an Anglican church and found faith for myself at the age of 11. I can still remember the Rev Peter Street talking about a relationship with Jesus. As a member of the choir I didn’t hesitate standing in front of the whole congregation when he asked people to respond. I wanted faith for myself.

This faith was tested four years later when my father, a lay reader and churchwarden in our church collapsed from a brain haemorrhage one Saturday morning. Four days later we had to make the decision to switch off his life support machine. I remember clearly, sitting on my mother’s bed with my three brothers and my sister and her praying the words of Romans 8:28.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

This verse became a signature to my life. At every step I have been able to look back and see how God has been faithful to his word. My youth group and leaders were my rock during the coming years. Processing the whole thing and trying to understand that God was my Father was difficult, especially as I felt that my father had been torn out of my life.

After completing A levels I went to live in America. This helped me to find my own feet again as a disciple of Jesus and even though I had been confirmed I wanted to make a public declaration and so I was baptised by immersion as a way of nailing my colours to the mast. My mother was delighted when I wrote her a letter by air mail ( now you know how old I am).

University followed where I met my now wife Sara. I invited her to a mission evening where I shared my personal story. She decided then to become a follower of Jesus after growing up as a nominal Christian. She understood for the first time what a relationship with Jesus was all about. Uni days included many mission trips with YWAM which built faith and stretched me.

Beginning a career in interior design I soon realised with the careful guidance of some close friends that my giftings were more aligned to teaching. Sara and I married and we returned to Wales in 1988. Subsequently I have been a Headteacher of two community schools in the Diocese and worked as a Government Advisor before God clearly leading me into international work and live in SE Asia and Africa.

This was so faith enriching. Understanding the place of faith in African societies and Eastern culture gave me a deep insight that has been transformative.

My journey continues, always relying on the transforming power of Christ and the power of His resurrection at work in me by His Holy Spirit. Living by faith is exciting, challenging but most of all life changing.