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Noel’s Story

After 50 years, Noel found his way back to Jesus

‘I’d fallen so far… I even got a tattoo of Lucifer and 666. [But] I realised that Jesus is the only way.’ – Noel 

For more than half a century, Noel believed he would never return to faith. But God had other plans. After reconnecting with faith through The Grove at Church Army’s Newry Centre of Mission, Noel has now given his life to Jesus, a moment he once thought impossible.

“I have given myself to Jesus, I know there is no other way. We all need Jesus in our lives.”

Noel never thought this transformation could happen, but after years of struggle, he has found renewed hope, strength and purpose. With the support and encouragement from the Church Army staff at The Grove, he has moved into the next part of his faith journey.

‘You know, you have to make yourself open and ask Jesus into your life. So, I did. Church Army helped me take that massive step.’

how did he get there?

*Trigger Warning – childhood abuse.*

Noel’s 50-year journey back to faith has not been an easy one.

After experiencing clerical abuse as a child, he stayed away from the church. The trauma left him angry, hurt and unable to separate the actions of one man from the God he believed that man represented.

Over time, Noel drifted further from faith and began to feel lost and without hope. But things started to change when he met Church Army’s Scott McDonald, and he went along to The Grove.

“…meeting Scott from Church Army changed me… It was the first time I’d met someone like him, a minister who was humble, kind, and genuine. His words came from his heart.” 

There, Noel found a welcoming community, space to ask difficult questions, be honest about his experiences and explore faith at his own pace. With the support of the team, he gradually began to rediscover trust, hope and a relationship with God.

Looking back now, Noel can see how far he has come. What began as a tentative return to faith has led to a life-changing decision to follow Jesus.

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Church Army trains and equips evangelists to share the good news of Jesus in the hardest places.

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