Page 17 - News Magazine - AutumnWinter 2026_Web

Drink, drugs

and a Post-it Note

James Faddes grew up on the west coast of
Scotland with his Mum, Dad and younger sister,
enjoying the beautiful views across to the Isle of
Arran. But his early life was far from picturesque,
as James explained at Connexions 2026.

“Dad was an atheist and Mum was into new
age mysticism. My background was violence,
drugs, drink and ducking and diving through the
streets. At 17, I had a string of criminal offences
to my name; I spent the best part of a year in a
Young Offenders Institution.

On 12 January 1992 – the date written in
the back of my GOOD NEWS for Everyone!
New Testament - the Prison Chaplain invited
people to the Prison Fellowship church service.
He shared from Romans: “All have sinned and
fallen short of the glory of God. The wages Initially, I was enthusiastic. I wrote to Mum
of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal to tell her I had become a Christian. But, on
life through Jesus Christ. And everyone who release, a bottle of Budweiser was put in one
calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”. hand, and a joint in the other. I refused a phone
That began a journey for me that changed my call the Prison Chaplain had arranged from a
life. But as with many people in prison who local church member, saying that I didn’t need
receive God’s Word and receive Jesus, when Jesus. The Testament I had proudly written in
you’re released from prison, that’s when much went on the shelf and remained hidden for the
of the action really starts. next 18 months.

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