Steven Ray Goodwin

He was pop pop, pop corn and pop tart to Gabrielle Elise and Arianna Grace. He was the son of the late Raymond and his wife Marguerite Goodwin and brother to Bill (Sandy) Goodwin and Dawn (Fabian). Kalapuch. He also left behind a number of nieces and nephews. He began ministry as a youth pastor of Brookfield Assembly of God before transitioning to an associate pastor at the same church. Over the next number of years he would serve as senior pastor of Abundant Life Assembly of God in Clinton, Connecticut, Emmanuel Assembly of God in Onset, Massachusetts, and Lighthouse Christian Center in West Greenwich, Rhode Island before finally serving as senior pastor of Hammonton Assembly of God in Hammonton, New Jersey.

If you want to understand our dad you need to know that he was perhaps the most selfless, sacrificial and humble man you’d ever meet in your life. He was the type of man who would give you the shirt off his back if he knew you needed it. He was truly the epitome of putting the needs of others above his own and would always make sure you were taken care of before he was. Regardless of how much pain he was in or how much he was suffering you would never know because he was always looking out for you. Our dad always cared about those around him and was the embodiment of loving your neighbor as yourself. He truly knew how to esteem others better than himself and if you knew him you knew you had a friend for life.

Perhaps one of the greatest lessons our dad taught us was in the uncanny ability he had to let things go, forgive everyone and absolutely hold no grudges against anyone. He lived his life without resentment and completely and entirely without bitterness and unforgiveness. For almost half of our lives he taught us how to do ministry within the four walls of the church, however, over the past fourteen years he has taught us that ministry can take place as much outside of the four walls of the church as inside them. We never realized just how much he truly made an impact on people outside the walls of the church until after he passed. Dad our prayer is that as you are in the presence of Jesus you are able to see how many people you truly impacted throughout the years.

Our father was one who loved his family members dearly and without any hesitation. If you knew him you would know him as one of the most personable, friendly and outgoing individuals you’d ever meet and could make friends with anyone, anytime and any place. Our dad was one who always had a great sense of humor and loved making you laugh. He taught my brother and I how to be the men we are today and his witness and testimony was one that was more often than not seen just by him showing you how much he cared and that you were valued and appreciated. He taught my brother and I how to handle our own in life and be the men we were called to be. He was always a man of worship and praise, loved singing and would always ask us if we heard the latest song that inspired him on K-Love. Wherever he went and wherever he would work he made an impact and lift a mark for Jesus.

Regardless of whatever tough seasons we would go through as a family or what issues we might have we always knew that he would be right there for us. Just as Jesus would leave the ninety and nine to look for the one he was always one who would go after that one. Even when he didn’t feel like it, was tired, was weak or fatigued he was always there. We never had to go searching for him or find him because he was simply there. He always made sure my mom was taken care and would do those little things that most take for granted like start her car in the morning rain or shine, make sure she always had gas in her car and would go to Wawa and get her a frozen drink, go to Crumbl and get cookies for my mom which they would take to work and would last them a week. Our dad loved our mom dearly and if there was ever one person on the face of this planet he would do anything for and made sure was taken care of—it was her.

Dad, you are loved. Dad, you are missed. Dad, you left a legacy. Dad—even though you’re not here with us we know you’re not suffering or in pain any more. You couldn’t be active for years now but we know beyond a shadow of a doubt you’re running, leaping, dancing, twirling and spinning in the presence of Jesus. We know you are free from all suffering and that your battles are over. Dad, just know that you have left behind a lasting legacy and countless men and women have been impacted by you. You were loved, valued and appreciated by so many people and while we are all sad you’re no longer here we know that you are in a better place. May you rest in peace, may your memory and legacy live in and may you worship at the feet of Jesus and bask in the presence of God until we see you again. We know that this is not “goodbye” but “see you later.” Dad, we love you and we will see you later in the presence of Jesus, all His holy angels and our brothers and sisters who have gone before.