To GOD be the GLORY
Paul Utley is a husband, father, brother, and so much more; but most importantly a faithful servant of God. He wanted to be a missionary from his earliest recollection. His mother subscribed to the mission magazines of OMS and WGM and he loved reading them. He remembers the inspiration he gleaned at church camp every year when a missionary would come and speak. It was there at nineteen years old, Beulah Holiness Camp that he answered the call on his life in the big tabernacle at the alter. He was nineteen years old and out of high school taking a gap year. Most of the time during that gap year was spent applying for jobs, while struggling with the Lord about his calling. He says he was so very shy and afraid to speak in front of people. However, he knew he has to make a decision at camp that year (1960). The last Friday night he went forward and blurted out, “Okay, God, I will preach!” He was scared to death. he talked with the evangelist that night and the evangelist had reminded him about Moses’ conversation with God. “Haven’t I made your mouth? Go and I will teach you what to say.” He took courage from those words. Many of the evangelists that came to camp in the August of 1960 were Asburians. After camp was over, He borrowed his mother’s car and drove over 300 miles to Asbury College. He walked up the steps to the Administration Building into Dr. C. J. 
Pike’s office. Paul told him that the Lord had called him to preach and he needed to go to college. Dr. Pike kindly told him that it was a little late and that classes started next month. It was a short visit. Paul drove back home where he was soon accepted a job in a canning factory in Wisconsin. Then, he got his acceptance letter. He had worked eighteen hours a day for about ten days. In that time, Paul had made one hundred and eighty dollars. Paul’s mother gave him the last of the savings bonds his dad left her before he had died nine years before, a five hundred dollar savings bond that was worth three hundred and sixty-five dollars in cash. It was enough to pay for his first quarter. Paul’s initial thought was when he ran out of money for school, he would take time off to work. While he was a student, he got a janitorial job working two hours a day (5 am-7 am) cleaning the basement of the Administration building at sixty cents an hour. God provided and proved Himself faithful. Not once did Paul have to take time off of school during his time at the University or the Seminary. He went through school virtually debt free. Asbury opened up a world to Paul. He loved the Asburys and is deeply grateful for what he was taught and caught while there.
The Lord spoke to Paul in the last few months (Spring of 72’) When he was at Kansas University. Psalm 2:8 loomed so large before him for so long–”Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for your inheritance and the ends of the earth for Your possession.” Andrew Murray says, “This is the prayer God taught Jesus to pray.” I have prayed this prayer along with Jesus down through the years. This prayer has been and will be answered. Paul prayed so often that God would use him in anyway he sees fit to help fulfill the Great Commission. The fall of 1972, he began a missionary journey of now more than 40 years in Asia. What a privilege is has been for Paul to serve the Lord in this way. Everytime he sings or hears the song, “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” he is reminded of Asbury where he learned really just how great it is.
“I can only give thanks to Him for leading me in such an adventure! And as Dr. J.T. Seamands called it “being involved in the Greatest Enterprise of all of history-The Fulfillment of the Great Commission.” Paul Utley
Rev. Paul Utley is a 1968 Asbury alumni with a Masters of Divinity. Following graduation from Asbury Theological Seminary, Paul served as a United Methodist minister in California and eventually left to answers God’s call to missions. He and his wife, Judi, are currently in the mission field spreading the Word and sharing their love. Judi is a wonderful supportive wife and talented at playing the harp. They have two grown children, Christopher and Hilary. For over forty-five years, Paul has served wherever the Lord has lead him. He has served as the assistant to Dr. Bill Bright and as a missionary with CRU (formerly known as Campus Crusades for Christ. He has been a missionary in the Philippines and Thailand. He has developed and led the prayer ministry for CRU in the entirety of Asia. Just a little under 75, Paul continues to allow the Lord to use him in this capacity. To God be the Glory!
Wonderful to hear. Goodspeed on your jorney
Nice to hear from you, Willard. It has been an journey that I could not have imagined when we at ATS. Blessings to you, Paul
Paul, great to visit with you last week and to learn about the above. My heart was deeply moved, as we’ve known one another for years. I thank God for you, Paul. You have been a faithful servant of Christ. – Jim
Paul, so great to see you at the Asbury reunion this past June! Tried to call you (I’m in Chiang Mai right now, plan to return to the States soon for a month or so), but the number I have for you didn’t work. Please send me an email – maybe we can get together sometime.
Sorry, Russ, I just saw this (July 4, 2018).
My phone number is 081 473 6221
Was sitting on my porch this morning in prayer and the Lord brought your name into my mind. Have fond memories of you in the time we spent “quarteting” on the weekends while at Asbury. Good to hear that you
are doing well and being used by our Christ. Am praying that God will use you to bring the loved of God into a personal and saving relationship with Him. It is, after all, the “main thing”. Blessing Richard Twidle
Are you the Richard Twidle I knew when I was a student at Asbury?
Elaine Rader (Alley)
Was sitting on my front porch this morning praying and God laid you on my heart. Was so good to find out where you are and what God is doing through you. Will reach out from time to time now that I know how to reach you. Praying that God will continue to use you to bring folks into a saving experience of Jesus. Blessings.
Great to hear from you, Richard!
Send me your mailing address and I will send you a thumb drive with 11 songs we recorded in Mexico in ’65.
Wow! Great to hear from you, Richard , after so long a time. What an adventure I have had here in Asia –8 years in the Philippines and 35 here in Thailand. Doors , wide and effectual, are still opening, so I just keep on going through them. I plan on going back to US for 2 months. Hope to stop by Asbury during the reunion . Last night two professors from Asbury were at our church here in Chiang Mai. Went to dinner with them. The Swartz’s. So much fun to look backwards for awhile. Thanks so much, for getting in touch. btw, I have a recording of our quartet done in Mexico in ’65– 11 songs, on a thumb drive. plus a bunch of other stuff I have collected or written. My Judi is a harpist. I put three of her concerts on the drive too. Tell me your address and I will send the thumb drive to you. blessings, brother, Paul
Daar Paul
I was thinking about you and your great help
when I had my gift and jewelery shop in BKK
in the end of 1980 begin 1990
Zo I Google your name and found you
I hope that you and Judi are doing great? and
thanks for everything
Best egards
Paul Christiaans now living in Cha-am
mail thepanom@gmail.com