Stories of Transformation

Our Father’s House introduced me to christianity in away that I not just could relate, but fe lt loved, understood, and wasn’t judged by my past experiences, and through their support, love and generosity I ended up having an encounter with Christ myself that revolutionised my recovery.

Anonymous

----------------------

Our Father's House has been the bridge back to a relationship with Jesus. It has been the place where I can seek recovery and see the Lord's love. I am always encouraged to be more like Jesus through the teachings of God's word and the fellowship with other recovering addicts. I am thankful for Our Father's House and know that it's a safe place for me to be a recovering addict trying to be centred in Jesus.

Brooklynn M.

---------------------

I’m came to our fathers house when I was extended an invitation very gently by a friend after telling her I was struggling with Faith and trying to stay clean after a year long relapse and walking away from recovery at 11 and half years clean.
I didn’t expect to enjoy it. I was people pleasing and also desperate so willing to try anything. I remember walking in and it was cozy! Not warm cozy. It was actually freezing and the little chairs had blankets on to wrap around yourself if you wanted. It was cozy in another sense. It was inviting, friendly, soft worship music was playing. There was hot tea offered as soon as I walked in and a jammy dodger. My favourite!
I felt welcomed and my anxiety disappeared almost immediately. I came back. And came back again. I heard readings, testimonies and talks that were nothing like my experience of church before. They spoke about the disease of addiction and how Jesus could transform, forgive, love and be a personal friend. I could see other people who had been where I had been and they were no longer carrying the shame I still felt. It wasn’t a straight road. I picked up again, 3 weeks before getting one year clean. I was devastated again. I went back with my face looking at the floor and was given a hug, a cup of tea and that familiar cozy feeling. I know today that the Holy Spirit not only guided me there but he is there every week. He is gentle and encouraging. I met another lady that night who had also relapsed a few days ago. Almost 2 years on she is one of my closest friends. Our father’s House has been a crucial part of my journey back into recovery and my newly found relationship with Jesus. I never dreamed that I would say that. I thought Jesus was cheesy! Not today. He is my friend. Our father’s house is a family. It’s been a busy couple of years. I’ve since been baptised, found a local church, dealt with lots of life issues and stayed clean! I encourage anyone reading this to take a moment to pause and ask if you are also being guided to a better life. I have freedom today. I have a new way to live and I am thankful that this ministry gave me such a warm welcome and continues to encourage, love and support me on my journey. Our father’s house is gentle and there is no pressure. Lots of tea, hugs, truth and a way to explore faith as fast or slow as you like. I hope this mini testimony encourages you to walk through the door too!

Donna M

------------------

OFH is a very special place to me ..I was welcomed with open arms and made to feel part of . OFH has opened up a whole new pathway for me into Christianity and this was the one thing missing from my life and my recovery. OFH has and still is doing amazing things for me.
I’ve become part of the team, I have beautiful leaders who believe in me, who give me their time freely,
If it wasn’t for OFH I wouldn’t not be where I am today
OFH has saved my life
OFH is a place where I’m accepted loved on shown kindness and been taught about Christ
OFH will always have a special place in my heart
Come as you are !

Nicky P

-----------------

OFH is a place I hold close to my heart. It has always welcomed me in, even though I don't yet recognise myself as a christian, and they have shown me nothing but love and support. I am so grateful for the practical help given to me as well when I left detox, by being able to access a free bus pass to make meetings in my first weeks out of treatment. You guys rock!

Josh A

----------------

When I got clean, I thought narcotics anonymous was all I needed to engage with to stay clean.
Then one day at 3 and half years clean I woke up feeling empty, so Lonely and no purpose.
Yes narcotics anonymous gave me the life beyond my wildest dreams and the family I’ve always wanted but there was something missing. Jesus!
Since attending our father’s house my recovery process has grown to another level, which is beyond my wildest dreams. It’s helped me gain a relationship with our Heavenly Father, it’s helped me know how to behave more Christ like. People like Katie and Raff believed in me, and gave me a safe place and trusted me to be on team.
Our father’s house is not just a recovery ministry for me, it’s a home! I’ve found the missing part of my journey and I’ll be forever grateful. Because of our father’s house, me and myself partner got baptised. My son now believes in Jesus too, and even my two little girls wake up every day and say thank you Jesus we love you!

If it wasn’t for our father’s house I don’t know where I’d be!

Shannon 

-----------------

I would like to say that Our Fathers House has played a monumental role in restoring my walk in faith with Christ our Lord and Saviour. I came in with a very cynical view of God what the church represented. I can confirm that the Holy Spirit has lead back onto the path of faith and I’m now proud to say that I believe in The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit in Jesus name……Amen .

Sharon B

----------------

I have been part of Our Father’s House Ministry, as a serving member, for a few years now. When I joined I was at a very confusing time in my faith walk and was experiencing a lot of doubt. Being welcomed, and being given a responsibility to serve the Lord and the Ministry, has really helped me to remain consistent and stay in the word.
It is lovely to attend every week and witness people’s journey’s in faith and recovery.
I think it’s very important as a Christian in recovery to be able to be in a space where I’m free to explore both identities.
Our leaders, Raff and Katie are both strong in their faith and God has used them to create a safe and welcoming environment, no matter where you are in your faith walk.
I love it here and I look forward to growing together as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Maria F

___________

When I first came to our father's house, I was new to recovery. I hadn't been to Church for a very long time. I had been living a life with no faith in anything.
It took me a while to surrender, get clean and start to build the foundation of my recovery.
Our fathers house has played a huge part in my jounery and through the process of attending the recovery ministry, doing the Alpha course and studying the 12 steps through the recovery bible, I began to have faith. I was baptised in March 2024 and continue to love coming to our fathers house. It is my place of worship. It's where I find peace and connection to God and with others who are on a similar journey to me.
Thank you to Raff, Katie and all of the team, for all that you do and for always welcoming me into our fathers house.

Jacquie W

___________

Hi my name is Joe and I’m a child of God. It’s been a real long journey for myself through recovery. I was a drug addict for many years using anything I could get my hands on just to take me out of how I feel slowly but surely my friends were evaporating and everything around me till the day it was just me and my drugs. I lost everything the trust of my family, my friends and even my kids I had nothing. I thought I had nothing to lose. I ended up in rehab and started the 12step program of NA whilst being in the rooms I got introduced to our father‘s house a church a recovery Church that does the 12 steps the Bible way and how amazing it is. I thought I would never become someone with a faith to follow. I went there for about a year learning stuff out of the Bible that went alongside the 12 steps I was doing it was amazing. I started joining in singing the songs in Church I went to Leeds to see them open up a new father‘s house. It was amazing day by day. I knew I had Jesus in my life and God was looking over me every day every second my faith become a lot stronger and I can honestly say I am a child of Jesus Christ when I got baptised at our father‘s house, it was like something changed in me not only do I go to church and feel the love from God and Jesus Christ, but through my fellows as well I wouldn’t change anything today. I love Jesus. I love being part of our father‘s house. I love Raff our priest that is there for us if ever we need to talk or meet up I know I could not be in a better place than our father‘s house and everyone in the church that is part of the team are amazing they always make you feel welcome with tea biscuits food that is made by one of the team members every week I could honestly say I’m proud to be a Christian and part of our father‘s house. I Love all you guys from the bottom of my heart that are on my journey with me to keep me safe and serene

Joe V