Paul Hill 1920-2005

Paul Hill lived a life of enormous influence. In over 50 years of ministry, it would be impossible to estimate how many lives he touched for the Kingdom of God.

In an interview done earlier this year with Carolyn Kimmel for BIC Communications, Paul described some of the ministry that took place at the Life Line Mission and Guerrero Street BIC Chapel in San Francisco during his 12 years there. “There were thousands of people seeking the Lord,” recalled Paul. “We fed 300 meals a day and slept 100 people a night. We started a women’s shelter building, a thrift store and then we bought a piece of land and turned it into a camp for children. We had 13 services a week. It was rewarding to watch what God would do.”

Paul, and his wife of 56 years, Evelyn, will be remembered as pioneers in urban ministry within the BIC Church. After his first pastorate at Hillman BIC Church in Michigan, Paul was appointed by the Home Mission Board to be the superintendent of the Detroit, Michigan, mission where there was a young church and a downtown skid row mission. He and Evelyn were there for four years.

Then, in 1959, they became church planters in New York City. They lived at 246 E. Tremont Avenue, now the site of the Urban Discipleship Center. They planted Fellowship Chapel and oversaw the Volunteer Service Workers Unit, where 61 volunteers served during the next nine years in the inner city ministry of the church.

After that, in 1969, it was off to San Francisco and the Life Line Mission and Guerrero Street Chapel. During the Hills’ years there, a family center for needy mothers and children was purchased and filled to capacity. This later became the Lifeline Women’s Shelter, which has since relocated to Upland, CA. They also started the Life Line Mission Thrift Stores, which provided income for the ministry. During their 12 years in San Francisco, 90 Volunteer Service workers helped with that effort.

Finally, from 1984 through 1992, Paul was the administrator at Upland Manor, the West Coast counterpart of Messiah Village in Pennsylvania. He and his second wife, Ruth, lived together in the Upland area until his passing.

Over the years, Paul’s enormous influence extended to over 150 voluntary service workers, many of whom are in ministry today. In 1976, I was one of those Summer Service volunteers for two weeks at Guerrero Street in San Francisco; from 1983-84, I served at the VS Unit in New York City. Needless to say, Paul Hill’s influence extended directly to me. I was one of his sons in the Lord.

I am blessed to give tribute to the memory of this dear brother – one of my Fathers in the Faith - who touched so many lives for the Kingdom of God.

Bishop Perry Engle
Upland , California

WELCOME