"Like father, like son" seemed like a curse on Andy’s life.

Andy Parker’s Story

I didn’t deserve to be happy. At 23 years old, I’d practically destroyed my life and accepted my fate to suffer just like my father. 

Before he died of cancer, my father abused alcohol and prescription pain medicine for years. After I received his life insurance settlement, I spent $176,000 in less than one year drinking and pilling myself nearly to death.

I realized I can do nothing without Jesus, but with Him, I can do all things.

I made a decision to give my life to Jesus when I was six years old, but I never pursued a relationship with Him. In middle school, I tried cigarettes, pot and alcohol. By ninth grade, I was smoking cigarettes and pot before and after school and drinking on the weekends. By my senior year, it was a case of alcohol every night.

Like Father, Like Son

My father's use of alcohol, along with pain meds from a work accident, left him comatose nearly every night, and I resented him for it when I was young.

When I started abusing pain meds myself after a baseball injury, I began to notice the similarities with his life. And the resentment I had for him, I shifted to me.

I knew had a problem: I couldn't function without the alcohol or the pain meds. I was miserable just like him. I rarely ever left the house except to buy more whiskey. I started having thoughts of ending it all.

All-Time Low

After my father's death, with his life insurance money running out, and with no job, I found myself lying drunk and doped up on pills on the shower floor, pleading with God to turn my life around.

And I woke up the next morning on that cold tile with a different outlook. I knew I had a serious problem, but I felt empowered. 

I realized I can do nothing without Jesus. With Him, I can do all things, including defeat my addictions. By His strength, I have not touched an illegal drug or been drunk since that night.

Jumping Off The Cliff

With the addictions behind me, I could focus on moving forward with my life. I love motorcycles, so I decided to go to Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI) in Orlando.

Relying on God helped me get through a very grueling schedule, sometimes working and studying 15 hours a day. After I finished school, I moved back to Anderson and started regularly attending NewSpring with my girlfriend, now wife, Merri. 

One Sunday, Perry spoke about "jumping off the cliff" by trusting God. I decided to jump by starting a business. 

Hope and A Future

Today, with the help of my partners, friends, family, and especially the grace of God, I own a 6,000 square-foot motorcycle and hot-rod shop just outside of downtown Greenville that grows more successful every month.

In 2006, I was a broke alcoholic and drug addict, lying on the floor in my bathroom, begging God for help. 

Today, I'm a devoted follower of Jesus and a successful businessman. I thank God every day for His unbelievable blessings and His unconditional love for me. 

On my own I was bound to end up like my father. With Jesus I have been given hope and a future.