New life begins at House of Genesis

Ian Kennedy is a resident at House of Genesis, a Norwich Christian project which provides supportive accommodation for homeless single men and especially ex offenders. This is his story…

 

I first lived at Genesis in September 2002, after an exciting time in prison where Jesus healed me from sexual abuse.  

 

Finally, and jubilantly, after 20 years of being a moderate Christian, my faith became real and God honoured a commitment which I’d hitherto misunderstood. I was on fire, zealous, and could see where He’d been working in my life when I couldn’t see Him. I felt I could fight snakes unharmed, but I lacked maturity. 

 

I lived under extended grace, and God began to teach me hard lessons which nearly killed me twice and cost me two relationships which hadn’t honoured Him anyway. 

 

Initially, running back to Norwich seemed a good idea.   Then Jesus spoke.   He told me that I’d come back to Norwich to die to myself.

 

I sofa-surfed for a while, during which time He reminded me about active waiting in faith, removed my addiction to cannabis, and reminded me about seeing His Kingdom first.

 

I began to look for accommodation, thinking I could run back to Hertfordshire if my relationship improved.

 

After some disheartening dead-ends I called Chris Callaghan at House of Genesis. He offered me somewhere to live, which was surprising as before I had hardly been a model resident. 

 

I began to go to Grace Fellowship with him and received a prophetic word about not doing things my own way, letting go of the past, and God showing me a new way of walking in Christ. I tested that against the Bible and what God had already said and He confirmed the word I’d received.

 

Genesis has been instrumental in this new beginning of life, challenging but better than doing it my way. I want Him closer; not to run anymore. Christ has really blessed me and is still healing me and surrounding me with lovely people. I’ve been out of jail three years and have attended a prison fellowship meeting, am about to start at CLC in Norwich, and that is just the start. Praise Jesus.