Since 1990 Eshin John Godfrey has served as the Zen Centre of Vancouver's first abbot. When living in New Zealand he met Joshu Roshi. Two years later he moved to Mt Baldy Zen Center in California to study with Roshi. Four years were spent training at Mt Baldy. During this time he went through traditional Zen training and was ordained with the name Eshin.

On completion of his training in 1985 Eshin chose to take responsibility for the Zen Centre of Vancouver. Under Eshin's guidance the Zen Centre has started both one and seven day intensives in the traditional style, developed a solid core group of practitioners, and moved to more suitable premises. In 1988 Eshin became a Zen Osho, a Rinzai-ji teacher, and given the Osho name Hoju. In August 2001 Eshin married Corinne Zeraffa.

Eshin has ordained a monk, E'cho, and a nun, Myorei, who study and help at the centre under his guidance. Eshin, with his sangha, is currently developing a new centre and practice streams.