“I WAS 17 and living in London and addicted. My drug addiction led to me getting mixed up with crime and prison followed.

The only good thing about prison was that one day in the prison library a Bible fell out of the shelf into my hands. I read it and it got through to me.

I became a Christian and after my release was baptised in a London church. After that, I went in and out of different churches - but I couldn't get off drugs.

Eleven years later, in 2003, it was fixed up for me to get out of London to do drugs-rehab in a hospital in Northampton. I was on a day out in town when a complete stranger gave me a leaflet inviting me to an event at Northampton Jesus Centre.

The Jesus Centre in those days was tiny. It was in a small converted shop next to the huge cinema where the Jesus Centre is today. My first impression? Well, I thought it was wicked (really good!) and I wanted to go back.

I've been going back ever since - that's five years ago. I can tell you straight away what's good about the Jesus Centre: you're accepted there for who you are.

People there have a heart for the outcasts - just like Jesus did. It doesn't matter if you're a criminal or a prostitute or a drug-addict or an alcoholic or whatever - Christ came to give His life for people just like them - not for the ones who think they are goody goodies and alright people.

Being at the Jesus Centre has given me more confidence in life because people believe in me. I've got a job now. I go to the Scrabble sessions and maths and drama classes and I've found loads of friends. Three of my mates from outside the church have come with me to the Jesus Centre - and now they've been baptised as Christians, too.