Born into the world as Paul Julius Meehan, on March 28, 1947, in Cambridge Massachusetts. I was the 2^nd boy followed by 5 girls. All of us were pretty much on our own getting very little direction and support while growing up. We moved around frequently but always lived in Cambridge. I remember being in my first gang at the age of five when living at Rodgers Block, Main St., Cambridge. We were very poor and life was hard. Even the poor people considered us as poor! I missed more school then I attended. My brother and I played hooky a lot. I believe the teachers passed me on to higher grades just to get rid of me. As a result, the foundation of my education left a lot to be desired. In the eight grade, I was in a class of students who were most destined not to succeed in life. Somehow I ended up in regular High school and actually graduated in 1965.

The Vietnam War was raging and I was soon to be drafted; I enlisted in the United States Navy. (I did not desire to go into the army). I did two tours of duty in Vietnam in 1966 and 1969. My main responsibility was running war supplies deep inland via the many rivers. Much of my time was spent near the northern DMZ. It’s strange, in that all through out my tour of Vietnam I only once had the desire to pursue God but I quickly pushed aside this urge that came upon me.

In 1967, while home on leave, I hit a tree doing 115 MPH in my fathers brand new Buick Electra. The doctors said it was a miracle I lived. I spent ten months in the hospital and had several operations.  Still to this day, I have physical difficulties directly resulting from this accident.

I separated from the United States Navy in 1970 and began work at Polaroid Corporation. While working fulltime nights I began college, 1972, fulltime days graduating in 1975.

In 1972 I was told that I was nothing but a lukewarm Catholic. For some reason this comment bothered me a lot. I believe this was the beginning of my search for the Lord. I do not remember anyone, up to this time, ever trying to tell me about the Good News of the Lord Jesus Christ. Late 1972 I asked a fellow student, who had just completed a course in the Bible, if I could read the book she was carrying. (It was a KJV of the Bible). I read this Bible from cover to cover while carrying six courses that semester. The Bible fascinated me and there were many unanswered questions in my mind! Incidentally, I got my best grades that semester and even made the Deans List. I wanted to get close to God and was trying to do so through the Catholic Church. They had no answers and scoffed at many of the miracles recorded in the Bible. I actually had one priest tell me that some of what the apostles said was “Apostolic Hype!” The apostles said things, which were not really true but said it in such a way as to convey some deeper spiritual meaning. I interpreted this as God lying! I could not accept this and eventually left the Roman Catholic Church. (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20-21)

I was married in 1973. Still searching for God I got mixed up in three different cults. My life was mixed up and in much turmoil. I did not want to search anymore! I was miserable. This put a tremendous strain on my marriage.

Maureen was born in 1974 and soon after Paul Jr. was born, 1975. Darlene in 1977 and Christine came into the world in 1978.

I continued searching for God. The desire to know God burned within my innermost being! These thoughts consumed me! I would have no peace until I found answers to the desire that burned within me! The Lord was gracious and brought my dear brother in the Lord, Gary Phillips into my life. Gary explained, from the Scriptures, the way of Salvation. Finally, in February of 1981 I trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior. I remember being upset that prior to this there was no one to share the gospel with me. Where were all the Christians? Where were all the Evangelists? Very possibly I simply did not take notice of all whom the Lord sent my way!

All four of my children, Maureen 31 married, Paul 30 married, Darlene 29 married, and Christine 28 married, were Born Again very early in their lives. After my new birth I started attending an Assembly, Countryside Bible Chapel, in Lexington Massachusetts, where I soon got involved in the Awana Clubs. The Awana Clubs played a major role in my children’s salvation. Even when I was a babe in Christ I had a hunger and thirst for missions. The Assemblies were a great help in nurturing, maturing, and encouraging my desire to share the precious Word of God. I also became the Assembly correspondent and began to help plan missions conferences.

In the late 1980’s I got involved in the Jó Hír (Good News) Hungarian Literature Mission becoming more and more involved as time went on. Jó Hír translates gospel literature into the Hungarian language . We distribute our literature free of charge and for sale well below our publishing costs.

2002/2003 - After much prayer and supplication, with the blessing of the saints at my current home assembly, Valley Bible Fellowship, in Georgetown, MA, I went forth as a missionary of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The focus of my ministry is in the work of Jó Hír and to the Hungarian peoples.  I am very active in evangelism and the preaching of the Word. I feel the Lord has blessed me beyond measure and I desire to serve the Lord with everything that is within me.

Three verses in the Word that have been instrumental to me:

            “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” (Jer. 29:13)

            “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” (Jer. 33:3)

            ^“Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But His Word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not refrain.”  (Jer 20:9)

I covet your prayers for the work of the Lord Jesus Christ in the nation of Hungary. Please pray for the ministry of Jó Hír and that the Lord will give me wisdom and strength to carry out His will in my life.

email: johirgoodnews@hotmail.com