Hope and New Beginnings: Andi and Kerry's Story

For many years, Andi and Kerry's lives seemed to be heading down difficult and often dark paths. But as they now reflect on their journey, it’s clear that God had a plan all along—one that brought them not only closer to Him but also to each other.

Kerry's Story: A Broken Beginning

"I had quite a difficult life," Kerry admits. "I was at death's door so many times because of drugs. It was a dangerous world for me. I separated from my ex-husband and went through a lot of pain. My attitude was, ‘I don’t want anything to do with men. It’s just me and Jesus.’"

She was a single mother, focused on her daughter and trying to find peace in her faith. Even as she worked through her personal struggles, Kerry remained steadfast in her relationship with God. Yet, she couldn’t have known what He had in store for her.

Andi’s Story: Lost in the Dark

Andi’s life, too, was far from easy. "I was wrapped up in a criminal world, dealing with drugs and all kinds of darkness," he recalls. "I had no intention of leaving that world. I didn’t see any way out, nor did I want one."

But deep down, Andi was growing weary. He knew something had to change, even if he wasn’t sure what that change looked like.

An Unexpected Meeting

Although neither of them was looking for a relationship, Kerry felt a nudge from God to try something new. “We had known each other for a few years as single parents because our daughters were best friends!" Kerry explains. "I thought it would be a good idea to get to know Andi better."

Andi, in his own words, used what he thought was "wisdom" and asked Kerry out for a simple game of pool. "I didn’t know it would lead to all of this," he chuckles, looking back.

What began as a casual outing soon became much more, and as Andi didn’t share her faith, Kerry felt her spiritual journey with God was being tested as her connection with Andi deepened. "I knew I had to end it with Andi," she says. "I was in tears, but Andi just said, ‘No, absolutely not. What can we do to change this?’"

Andi’s Turning Point: Finding Forgiveness

For Andi, his transformation began after attending the Citygate Alpha Course, but something still held him back. "I was struggling with giving up all my secrets," he shares. "I wasn’t fully trusting that God forgives everything. I was still holding onto some things."

That all changed at Commission Festival. "Someone came up to me with a vision from God. They described me with a sack over my shoulder, representing my secrets, and a doorway that I was struggling to fit through. The message was that I had to look behind me—the sack was empty. God already knew everything, and I had been forgiven."

Andi was overwhelmed. "I just broke down in tears. I knew it was the Holy Spirit. Everything changed in that moment."

"I get up and go to work every day now," he says. "I used to spend large parts of my life not working, just selling or taking drugs. Now, I pick up my Bible every day, and I see a clear path ahead. There’s no way back to my old life—it just doesn’t exist anymore."

Kerry’s Transformation: An Encounter with the Holy Spirit

The moment Kerry became a Christian, 10 years earlier, was no less profound. At her first-ever Westpoint conference (the old name for Commission Festival), she heard a speaker talking about how God speaks to us. "I was so skeptical," she admits. "I even said, ‘God never speaks to me.’ But before I could even finish that thought, I was overwhelmed with emotion. I started crying uncontrollably."

She now recognises that moment as the Holy Spirit touching her. "The next day, I woke up a different person. Once I met Jesus, my whole life changed dramatically. I now have hope, and I know where I’m going when I die. I feel secure in God’s love."

"When I got home from Westpoint, I couldn’t put my Bible down," Kerry says. "Since that day, I’ve felt so secure. The fear of dying doesn’t faze me anymore. I can’t wait to be in God’s arms."

New Life: Together

Later this year, Andi and Kerry will be married—something neither of them could have predicted. "We had no intention of going on a date or looking for anyone," Kerry smiles. "But God had different plans for us."

Through God’s grace, Andi and Kerry have found not only love but a purpose far greater than they ever imagined. Their story is a testament to how God can take broken lives and transform them into something beautiful, filled with hope and new beginnings.

Would you like to learn more about how Jesus can change your life? Join us for an Alpha Course or visit us on Sunday to hear more stories like Andi and Kerry's!