Meet Glen Galvin

The best year of Glen Galvin’s life was followed by the worst. But those two years laid the foundation for a friendship with Jesus that has transformed his life. Glen shared his story with VOX editor Ruth Garvey-Williams.

(From the April - June 2021 issue of VOX)

Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in the Irish community in London. I went to a Catholic School and always knew about Jesus. But like many people, I went my own way when I hit my teens. Faith was always there but I didn’t want anything to do with it. I was in a band and that was a huge part of my life. I wouldn’t admit to believing in God; it was not cool.

My life prior to getting married was very colourful. I was involved in rock bands, and toured a lot, playing guitar. I got to a place, when I had just turned 30 and I felt like I was at the end of something. I had moved back to Ireland and was living in Macra in Cork.

One night, I found myself praying. I felt desperate. Within ten days I met Fiona in extraordinary circumstances. We were married within six months and things started falling into place.

What do you mean by extraordinary circumstances?

I’m bald and my wife is a hairdresser and we met in a salon! The day I met her, she wasn’t even supposed to be at work. Beforehand I would have said this is fate but Fiona explained to me about her faith in God and that was a big eye opener. I believe now that it was meant to be.

We went for an Indian meal on our first date and Fiona asked, “Do you have any faith or do you believe in God? Because I should tell you that my faith is very important to me.” She didn’t shy away from it. That was just awe inspiring to me. She was so brave to tell me on the first night out.

You say that was the best year of your life but it was followed by the worst. What happened?

I think it was God’s intention that my mum got to see me happy and married but the following year she passed away. She had a strong faith but she went through so many troubles in her life. I realise growing up there was always faith in the house but it was never spoken about; faith was a private thing.

After my mum died, I went through all the stages of bereavement. I felt a lot of guilt about not being a very good son. I found life hard. My wife and my mother-in-law kept praying for me but I felt that they did not understand.

When do you feel that your faith came alive?

“I became overwhelmed with emotion and I started crying. At that moment, I realised that Jesus forgave me.”

In 2015, we got a dog and much to my disgruntlement, I ended up walking the dog every day. During those early morning walks, I would find myself praying. One day in particular, I was walking and I felt I could not forgive myself for the things I had done. I became overwhelmed with emotion and I started crying. At that moment, I realised that Jesus forgave me. I could hardly believe it. I knew that Jesus was there because I was actually experiencing His forgiveness. I went from just praying to really talking with Jesus. Instead of being mad for what I had lost, I started thanking Him. I started having a different outlook.

Some people can sit down and pray. I’ve never been able to do that. But I find walking and praying really helps me and it is a great way to start my day.

To me, Jesus is like a really good mate who never lets me down. It might be out of line to say it like that but I know whenever things are hard, I can just go to Him and it will be all right again. When I think about what Jesus went through, I know I can put up with a little bit of unsettlement. He is my Saviour but most of all He’s my friend. I find myself driving and just chatting away to Him, giving Him whatever’s on my mind.

Sometimes I look around and it seems that Jesus is the best-kept secret. Those who know about Him don’t want to talk about Him. But I think faith should be shared. When I think about the old me, I can’t believe that I didn’t really know about Jesus. I feel like I’ve wasted so much of my life not knowing Him.

You’ve become a volunteer with Cork Street Pastors. Tell us about that.

After a few months of getting into the habit of praying every morning, I felt like it was time for me to repay God and to be involved with something. I was praying about it and I didn’t know what I was going to do. My wife noticed that I needed a Christian community and she encouraged me to go along to Grace Church. I had been going there for a few weeks when I saw an announcement in the newsletter about Street Pastors. I was blown away by the amount of training they provide. It is a tough role but it has taught me a lot about real Christianity. There is no judgement or agenda; it is purely about God’s grace. As a former drinker, to be on the other side of the nightlife is a real assault on your senses.

The last year has been the most memorable and not for the right reasons. It is hard to see the city so lonely and desolate and to know that so many livelihoods have been affected. I see the former me in so many people I meet. Whether I’m doing first aid or just talking to people, there is always something to keep you on your toes. And there is always something you can do, even if it is just a word!

What difference does your faith make in your day-to-day life?

First and foremost I’ve realised the importance of prayer. I’ve seen the difference in a day that doesn’t start with prayer. I don’t intend to ever let it happen but we are all guilty of saying I need that extra hour in bed. But when your prayer time suffers, your day is all upside down. Getting my head around life and death has been something I’ve really had to struggle with. Being in touch with God has made it more understandable. It sounds like a cliché but it is God’s will. I’ve realised, “Who am I to question God and to think that I’m owed an explanation?” Before I tried to control things and I put so much pressure on myself. I would handle it all by drinking excessively or doing something stupid. Now I try to give things to God instead.

I work with Acquired Brain Injury Ireland - assisting people who have had a brain injury. When people come out of hospital, they need a lot of support as they work out the next steps for their life. Obviously at work, I need to be careful, especially as I’m working with people who have been dealt a tough hand. It is not appropriate to thrust our beliefs at people but in those situations even my smile can make a difference (or with face coverings I’ve learnt to wave at people or make hand gestures).

I’ve kept working through the pandemic so it has been a lot easier for me but my wife is a hairdresser and she has her own salon, so she has had to shut everything down. We make a habit of trying to have a quick prayer together before I go to work. We acknowledge that as hard as things are, we are not in hospital, we haven’t got a loved one in hospital and so we are doing alright.

“I spent 15 years in the music industry, trying to be liked and trying to be cool but I ended up with nothing.”

Music was such a huge part of your life before you came to faith. What happened with that?

I spent 15 years in the music industry, trying to be liked and trying to be cool but I ended up with nothing. But no one can take the gift of music away from me. I still write and record music but now my songs are faith inspired. They are not worship songs but they are more just testimony. I suppose previously everything I wrote was materialistic or cynical. It’s been difficult to find people to work with, especially when they hear about the faith thing.