I grew up as the youngest brother of seven, surrounded by a culture of rugby, money, drugs, women, cars, and clothes. I was successfully running my own business as a barber, and settled in a relationship where the only accomplishment I felt was unmet was becoming a dad, something I’d always dreamed of being. After being devastated by the unsuccess, and the relationship with my partner breaking down, I found myself in a very low place.

Quickly following the breakup, whilst cutting hair I was sharing my worries about a big bet I had recently lost with a new client, it transpired he was the pastor of a local church and invited me to attend. He held a sense of peace that I have never experienced before and I wanted what he had, so decided to go. Then lock-down hit. I struggled and fell away from online church and my mental health quickly decreased again to an all-time low. I turned to rekindling a relationship with an old friend and taking more drugs to help me cope. 

As the lockdown lifted, my dreams of becoming a father became true and as I raised my beautiful baby boy, I believed I was given a purpose and a reason to stay alive. That was until I was told the devastating news that I was in fact not the father. This time, I didn't know how much time I had left and I could only see one way out of this pain. 

But, God knew where to find me. For the second time, another new client (now a friend) invited me to church while cutting his hair, but this time to Citizen Church. I was invited to attend Bridge the Gap where I fell in love with football, found friendships and found a reason to get through my Mondays. I built great friendships with lads from the Cardiff site, and they’ve helped me through some of my toughest times.

Since being part of this community, my outlook on life has changed. I got fully connected into church when I was invited to attend Alpha. While attending the course, I had all my questions answered and I realised that underneath all of those bandages and temporary fixes, there was a God-shaped hole in my life that could only be filled by the Holy Spirit and coming to know Jesus.  

Bridge The Gap has not only helped grow my faith but built my character. It gave me a different perspective on faith and transformed my life, mental health and well-being.  

Just months after completing Alpha I am on a narrow road with Jesus. I gave up everything and I’m clean as a whistle. I now run Alpha in our churches and in a South Wales prison. I volunteer at Bridge The Gap and am now preparing to train to become a Vicar in 2023. 

I was a broken, Welsh rugby lad, saved by His almighty right hand. There is hope for everyone!