secondchance

The film which gave Adrian a Second Chance

Second Chance is the film which helped to bring Adrian Whitelock up from the pit of prison of drug addiction. “The film is definitely inspiring,” he said. “It makes you realise that anything is possible.”

In many ways, life for Adrian is now good. He has a caring family and goes to Elim Community Church in Carlisle. A couple of years ago, however, his world was anything but peaceful.

“I have quite a troubled background,” he admits. “I used to be a drug addict, and it landed me in prison.”

His father is a Christian, and after Adrian’s release, the church reached out to him, and he agreed to go on a discipleship course. As a follow-up, the church put on an evening meal and showed Second Chance, a collection of testimonies from the UK. These include the story of Brian Sumner, a world-class skateboarder who divorced his wife, and then remarried her after a life-changing encounter with Christ. The stories are woven through with a gospel message from Billy Graham.

“The film came at just the right time,” said Adrian. “There was a lot I didn’t understand at first, but I took a copy home and watched it a second time.”

The film enabled him to take a huge step forward in faith, and eight weeks later he was baptised.

“Coming to faith is an amazing thing,” he said. “It’s the best gift you could ever give anybody.”

At the same time he emphasises that the journey has not been easy. After coming to faith he spent several weeks in hospital with septicaemia from a leg ulcer.

“The hardest thing was to understand the Bible,” he said. “I hadn’t read it before; in fact, I didn’t really read books at all.”

Adrian found the Living in Christ booklet that goes with the My Hope films really beneficial. “There were times,” he said, “when I would ask: ‘What’s the point?’ But then I would open Living in Christ and it was fantastic. Something inside filled me up with power.” The booklet has also showed him the best way to read the Bible; he says he is ‘concentrating on Jesus’.

He is now going on strong in his faith: reading a daily devotional and attending a mid-week Bible study group as well as church on Sunday. He has even been to apologise to a neighbour whom he upset earlier on.

“We are building the relationship with him,” said his pastor, Peter Wright. “Adrian is now beginning to ask what he is going to do with the rest of his life.”

Second Chance is a film which has transformed many lives; you can watch it online and download it here.

 
 

Sign up to our email list  Keep Informed

Is evangelism about results or relationships?
We should focus more on ‘When did you last tell someone your story’, suggests Mark Greenwood
How can Elim churches be really good news among those with dementia?
More people than ever are living with dementia but the church can be a light to sufferers, writes Meghan Earle
Can your Easter egg hunt lead to the greatest treasure?
Phil Worthington's guide shows how to turn the fun of hunting for eggs into an awesome way to point to Christ.
How can Elim be really good news in the footballing community?
Robin Greenwood introduces a sports charity that works with local churches to reach out to people through their love of football
Must-have books for your church and community this season
Are you looking for something to help members of your church this Christmas time? Mark Greenwood and Mark Ryan have both produced some fantastic books for Christmas.

More articles >

Future Events

You can help us raise up 1,000 new ELIM EVANGELISTS & see 1,000's of lives transformed?

CopyrightT&CsPrivacyCookiesRegistered Charity 251549 (England & Wales) SC037754 (Scotland)