Paul Johnson’s dream job was 40 years and 500 yards in the making.
Paul, who is part of the leadership team of King’s Church in Warrington, grew up on the same street as St Helens rugby league club’s ground and has been a supporter for as long as he could say, “C’mon you Saints.”
While Paul (pictured above, inset, and in the St Helens changing room after the Grand Final win) admits he was “never a very good player myself”, he has followed the club through all its ups and downs – with Saints enjoying more ups than other clubs recently.
Most recently, they won the World Club Challenge in Australia with a thrilling extra-time victory.
“Winning the World Club Challenge is hard enough, but winning it in Australia, especially in extra time, was amazing,” said Paul.
A love of rugby was not the only thing he discovered as a child – he was only seven years old when he became a Christian.
“In 1983, there was a children’s mission at my primary school,” he explains. “I remember a man telling us just because we went to church, that didn’t mean we were Christians. It really struck home and I wanted, despite my young age, to know more.”
Paul’s older brother, Darren, had started to attend the Elim church in St Helens and, unknown to Paul and his family, had asked members to pray that his family would accept Jesus.
“Within a year Mum, Dad and myself all became Christians. The prayers of my brother’s home group were answered.”
Paul joined the St Helens Elim church and its youth group. “I really grew in my faith and, over time, became senior youth leader.
“It was like the Bible came alive in my life right here in St Helens. My dad suffered from industrial deafness and was instantly healed.”
At St Helens RFC, which has over 500 employees, Paul’s official title is chaplain and wellbeing manager, although he is better known as “Chappers”.
“I pray with the players before every game. I pray they will do their best and stay safe from injuries.
“I know some Christians don’t like competition or even victory celebrations in sport. But winning is not about crushing the opposition or goading them over defeat. I believe Christians should win with class and lose with class.
“On the pitch, teams are at war for 80 minutes but they are friends when the final hooter sounds. That’s how it should be.”
Paul says his chaplaincy role is a mix of confidant and friend: “I am the lead chaplain and every day is different.
“Players confide in me about all sorts of issues, from injuries to personal issues. They know I will keep their confidence and, like any club in any sport, players often find it easier to talk to the chaplain than the coach or manager.
“I never force my faith on anyone but I am always ready to discuss it if asked.”
When he became St Helens chaplain, Paul also joined Sports Chaplaincy UK, which was launched in 1991 and now has more than 500 chaplains across all sports.
“It provides chaplaincy to sports clubs and encourages local churches to engage with the sporting clubs in their own community.
“Something else I’m proud to be part of is ‘Iron Squad’. Chaplains there provide a place for professional sportspeople to explore and grow in their faith together.
“Jesus didn’t just tell us to go to different nations. He called us to go to all people, everywhere, to make disciples. If we can see church as being more than a Sunday meeting, there’s plenty of time in the week to show God’s love to people involved in sport.”
