From Hooligan to 'Holy Man': From Shadow to Grace

What happens when the life that looks strong on the outside is quietly breaking within?

From Hooligan to ‘Holy’ Man is not a story of instant transformation or easy faith. It is the honest account of a life shaped by performance, fear, violence, loss — and a long resistance to grace.

From a childhood that appeared perfect, through years marked by anger, control, abuse, and self-destruction, this book traces a journey not toward religion, but toward surrender and relationship. Alpha became the unexpected bridge — the place where the author finally met Jesus, not as an idea or an institution, but as a person who offered unconditional love and forgiveness. What started as reluctant attendance at an Alpha course grew into a personal encounter with grace that changed everything.

Written for those who know the author and think they know his story — and for those who start to realise that they don’t have it all and are asking themselves, “Is there more to life than this?” — this is a memoir about belonging, identity, and the quiet persistence of a God who moves toward us long before we are ready to move toward Him.

Today Arnd serves full-time with Alpha, helping churches reach people who are seeking deeper meaning in their lives — just as he did many years ago.

This is not the end of a story. It may be the beginning of yours.