Norfolk learner driver steers instructor to faith 

For six months, Norfolk driving instructor Andy Wright had the same conversation every lesson: his pupil Mercy would invite him to church, and he would politely - but firmly - refuse. Today, Andy is not only a committed Christian, but he is also actively serving the Teen Challenge community and was recently baptised alongside young men whose lives he is helping to rebuild. 

Helen Baldry reports

Andy said, "During our driving lessons, we chit-chat as you normally do - about the weather, what we're going to do at the weekend. Always into the conversation, she'd say to me, 'I need to go to church.' And I'd reply, 'Nah, I don't go to church. I don't believe. I've got no faith.' This went on every lesson." 

Mercy, a passionate young evangelist whose father Steve Mawston was one of the leaders at Soul Church in Norwich, refused to give up. When the time came for her driving test in her parents’ car, she upped the stakes. 

"She says to me, 'Andy, if I pass my test, will you come to church?' I thought, 'She's just not getting this at all!' So I said no. Anyway, I got the text message later saying she'd passed. I thought, 'Great, congratulations, no more church talk.' But underneath the message was: 'Are you going to come to church now?'" 

Andy mentioned the invitation to his wife. To his surprise, she thought it was a great idea. While Andy had never held any religious belief, his wife had always had a faith. 

Andy said, "The first week we went, Rachel Mawston met us and brought us a drink. She took us into the auditorium and - wow. It's absolutely huge, more like a theatre than a church. She asked if we'd like to sit near the front, and I thought, 'Not a chance!' I sat right near the back." 

Andy admitted he went into the experience determined not to enjoy it. "I told myself, 'I've done my deed. I've come to church for Mercy. That's it.' But I actually thought, 'This is all right.' So we decided to go back a second week." 

Sitting in the same back row seats the following week, Andy noticed a group of young men sitting directly in front of him. They were part of Teen Challenge, a Christian rehabilitation ministry supporting young men overcoming addiction and challenging backgrounds. 

Andy's interest was instantly sparked. After getting connected with church members, Andy and his wife began learning more about the ministry operating out of Drayton Hall. 

"I felt that God used Mercy to get me to church, to actually get me to Teen Challenge," Andy says. "I do believe that now, strongly. When I walk through the doors at Drayton Hall, I feel a glow - a bit like the old Ready Brek advert! The warmth inside me is the Holy Spirit. I feel this is my home." 

Today, Andy and his wife are deeply involved in local church life. While she participates in Soul Sewing,  Andy joined Soul Bikers and volunteers with Teen Challenge - they both lead Alpha courses, Andy drives the minibuses, and offers practical support to the residents. 

The shift in Andy's life was marked by his baptism at The Way Church next door to Teen Challenge. When deciding who should baptize him, Andy knew exactly who to turn to: Javier, the leader of Teen Challenge, and Mercy, the young woman who never gave up on inviting him. 

Andy says the transformation in his daily life has been unmistakable. "I'm a better person," he says. "I walk into a shop now and I'm beaming, smiling, and you just want to help people. Now it's about giving. I've given free driving lessons to a couple of the guys at Teen Challenge just to help them out. It's just a big turnaround in my life."  

Pictured above: Andy getting baptised with Mercy and Javier

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