Andrew Barnett

After living a life of crime and substance misuse for years, God saved Andrew while he was awaiting sentence in a prison cell.

“My life was completely turned around.”

On leaving prison, he soon became a community chaplain working in a young offenders’ prison, where he saw many come to faith. Since then, Andrew has worked supporting people facing the same challenges he'd faced previously. His growing passion for sharing the gospel led him to LCM.

“I’m encouraged through scripture after reading about Moses, David, Paul, and the thief on the cross. They all committed crimes. Nevertheless, through repentance and faith God did wonderful things with their lives. This is also my testimony.”

“My heart is to come alongside churches to support them to share Jesus in a loving, discerning way so that their neighbours can experience first-hand God’s love for them.”

Andrew is a missionary Team Leader in Islington, where he specialises in reaching people on council estates with the good news of Jesus.

“I come alongside churches to get to know residents, their needs and their aspirations. We meet people by visiting them in their homes, through shared meals, through parents’ and tots’ clubs and foodbanks. After developing friendships, we journey with them sharing their lives and demonstrating the gospel through our time together.”

Islington is sometimes seen as a wealthy area, but that’s only half the story. The Caledonian Road divides affluent Barnsbury from Bermerton Estate, and the housing estates are a melting pot of people from different nationalities and walks of life. The church is often associated with mistrusted authorities. The result is that many residents go their whole lives without hearing who Jesus really is.

“So many London churches are just around the corner from an estate that is waiting to hear the life-giving hope of Jesus! My vision is to see local churches across the borough meet the practical needs of their community, inviting them to church, and see them discipled and welcomed into the family.”

Andrew loves spending quality time with his family, meeting up with friends – and making new ones.