How a Near-Death Crisis Reshaped Andy Ferguson’s Calling
- Ryan Franklin
- Jun 30
- 9 min read
Updated: Jul 8
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Worship pastor and guitarist Andy Ferguson has spent over 25 years leading others into the presence of God—but behind the songs is a story of perseverance through deep valleys. In this episode, Andy opens up about his sudden health crisis, the peace of God that met him in a hospital room, and what it means to keep serving even when your strength is gone. He shares about a miraculous healing in his twenties, the legacy of a mother who chose life, and the lessons of long-term leadership in one church. If you’re a leader battling illness, discouragement, or just the weight of ministry—this conversation will remind you that God still meets us in the valley.
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Transcript
I can't just go out and play for anyone. God's called me to His house. He's called me to be a minstrel. Look at all He's given me. You know, there's no way I've grew up in this. And that's been my whole life. I mean, driving force for you. It's been a driving force. Every choice that I've made. I mean, it's been, how's this going to affect the house of God? How's it going to affect our life? You know?
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Welcome to the Christian Leader Made Simple Show. I'm your host, Ryan Franklin, and on the show today we have a special guest, Andy Ferguson.
Andy is a man who has spent decades leading others into the presence of God, but his story goes way beyond the music. It's a story of perseverance, of purpose and peace in the valley. And whether you're a pastor or a church staff member or a marketplace leader, this episode is for anyone who's had to keep going when life just really gets heavy.
To introduce our guest today: Andy has served faithfully as a worship pastor at Gate City United Pentecostal Church in Virginia for over 25 years. And alongside his wife, Heather, he's built a life of ministry while raising his two wonderful children, Anna Grace and Avery.
Andy’s musical gift has taken him around the world. I've literally seen him at various places around the world, ministering at conferences and special events with a heart for excellence and the anointing.
He's also battled through some serious health issues like Addison's disease yet continues to serve with an unwavering commitment. His life story includes miraculous healing, a call to ministry, and an unmistakable peace that carried him through the darkest of valleys.
And so I just want to say welcome to the show, Andy.
Hey, thank you for having me. It's finally happening.
Absolutely. We've been talking about this for some time but I'm honored to have you on this conversation today.
Now Andy, I have a bone to pick with you.
Uh oh.
I was listening to an episode of Kingdom Speak the other day and they interviewed you on their podcast. And I was under the understanding that the Christian Leader Made Simple podcast was your favorite podcast that you listen to a lot of episodes from and we've had lots of conversations on them.
But I heard something that kind of troubled me on Kingdom Speak the other day. And I don't know if they twisted your arm or paid you or what to say but I think I heard you say that Kingdom Speak was your favorite podcast.
That was my favorite Canadian podcast.
Oh okay! But now you know that Christian Leader Made Simple has a heavy audience in Canada right?
Uh oh.
I'm just messing with you! Kingdom Speak is a great podcast as well and that was a really good interview by the way.
Thank you so much! God's so good.
Now I'm not sure many people know this Andy but I found this out when I was with you having breakfast not too long ago—you were here at POA for Messiah; you were playing during Messiah—and we had breakfast at Atwoods.
But your love for ministry actually goes way beyond just music. You love music obviously—that's been a big part of your life—but you were a student pastor at one point right?
Yeah well actually I grew up playing guitar in church when I was around 8 years old and got involved with puppet ministry as a teenager which was so much fun and started traveling at 14 playing music and doing all kinds of things.
When I got married in 2000 my wife and I became student pastors and we began working with kids ministry as well again. In fact next week is our kids revival which is like one of our favorite things.
We've been here at the church 25 years just plucking away helping with student ministry; I was on the Virginia youth committee almost 20 years; sectional youth leader doing whatever needed to happen—you know? So yeah, I love student ministry; I love kids ministry; love all of that music ministry.
You love it all huh?
I love it all! It's so much fun—I do!
You have served in one church for over 25 years now! I see you all over the place—you’re in tons of conferences and different things—but you've been in one church for 25 years? Really? That's rare in today's world because people transition so often these days.
How has long-term leadership taught you? What has it taught you about ministry people staying rooted?
You know the beauty of being at the same church for 25 years is that you get to see the full process unfold—you get to sow seed and watch it grow and multiply over and over again—watch what God does repeatedly—and it's really beautiful.
In fact I was thinking about this interview this morning—there’s more I'm sure—but two people came immediately into mind: Logan who is actually now a nurse practitioner; he was in our junior youth group growing up with us all along; Bobby Sue—that’s another girl; Evan Grizzle—there's just many!
Evan was in your youth group at one point?
Oh yeah! He was so much fun!
In fact tell us something really surprising...
No I'm kidding!
Oh gosh no... Evan... Shane McCracken is our youth pastor now but Shane and Evan and Logan used to travel with me—I would go out singing playing guitar at boot camps all kinds of random places sometimes traveling together—we had so much fun!
They were kids in junior youth group sometimes kicking screaming but now they say thank you—we had such great times!
God has done so much! We've had opportunities sometimes to move do other things honestly it sounded great but we prayed—and God said stay—and we felt that anchor really strongly some time passed things did not turn out as expected elsewhere—and people ask how can you stay at one church so long doing same kind of thing?
But you're called—you don’t work a day if truly called—you love it—it’s not always easy—but God’s in it—it’s great & beautiful!
Yeah there’s fulfillment when called specifically—not just job but calling—and if calling then never work day in life—it’s fulfilling & motivating right?
It's wonderful! Now since we’ve had probably our eighth or ninth worship team—they keep developing—some come new come leave—but team picks up like well-oiled machine—a God-given machine built by Him!
Our pastor Brother Grizzle from beginning told us “do your thing”—never questioned us—celebrated successes—let us recover from failures figure it out keep pushing—that’s rare!
Seems like true leadership when team thrives even if you're away—not dependent on one person—true leadership indeed!
My whole thought process back when we started—I didn’t know about leadership—I was 21 then—but thought someday these students will lead my children worship youth congress camp—they have—which is crazy!
Not everyone has forward focus vision like that—it’s unique—even leaders don’t always see down road—but keeping future vision powerful gift probably God-given!
Me & wife figured things out no structure just vision down road seeing transitions done poorly before wanting better future transitions—like David & Saul working together conquering multiplied generations—that was mindset only thing going on then!
I imagine being one church 25 years plus tons travel must stabilize family deeply loved family stable environment important?
For sure huge factor relationships built there wife kids family her uncle pastor mine family too church families close stable when home try be dad good husband spend time though busy as kids grow invited them help part ministry son Avery 12 plays Spanish church main keys since 10/11 Anna Grace same singing guitar keys drums they play whatever can run sound propresenter whatever needed wonderful seeing them part wouldn’t happen without stability
So Andy ministering many road trips suddenly faced tough crisis sickness hospital physical emotional spiritual feelings take us into moment explain please?
Trying make long story short year 2023 started normal year had leadership meeting after Norway trip returned Palm Bay Heart of Worship exhausted told wife taking summer off never done before rest vacations family noticed odd behavior sleeping lot later developed severe side pain ER several times doctors puzzled finally appendectomy delayed sodium levels raised ICU prep after surgery sodium normal traveled general conference WINS conference Heart Worship recording Columbus afterward downhill by Thanksgiving weighed 130 wheeled doctor said go Vanderbilt immediately brother-in-law drove me four+ hours arrived hospital long wait but quickly triaged miracle nurses shocked sodium 107 (normal ~135) usually coma heart attack stroke death below 115 conscious talking laughing weak normal doctors confirmed Addison's disease moved ICU nine days intense experience
ICU window helipad helicopters landing trauma COVID victims bodies removed sad valley shadow death peace God filled room strongest ever reading Gene Edwards Divine Romance about Spirit inspiring word Lord shepherds David felt presence strong despite chaos body sick mind spirit peaceful supernatural peace
Everyone worried dying body failing but mind spirit fine realized only body sick statistics say two out three mind body spirit sick fatal thankful peace held me
Helicopters flying victims near death nurses doctors checking often told healthiest person ICU third day shower friends visits talks Christmas season despite illness humor kept spirits up prayed for others nurse connected portable IV walked ward humbled grateful
Stayed nine days ICU then recovery shifts lifestyle ongoing Addison’s disease challenges mental game year-long journey last November Hebrews 11 faith passage inspired reading faith heroes imperfect God spoke "make it January all fine" missed annual Because Of The Times event hardest loss resumed travel slowly gained strength wife spine surgery February mom stroke February family trials heavy year thankful grace family support prayers worldwide thousands texts GoFundMe financial gifts Doordash meals hotel resort near hospital thoughtful details peace amid crisis
Season could sideline physically mentally emotionally but didn’t quit strength perseverance anchored calling word God "no height nor depth stop those called" only self-stopping emotionally hard challenge pushed forward slower pace still moving forward God met needs placed new opportunities season wonderful
Shift gratitude closeness Lord suffering reveals deeper holiness fruits spirit desire grow changed perspective family sees God differently thankful
Mother told abortion needed pregnancy prayed promised if live give me like Hannah Samuel born non-ministry family mother nurse father electrician started music early parents prayed fasted anchor calling chest impossible play anywhere else called God's house minstrel given everything driving force every choice impact house God impact life
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Back podcast healed youth camp Ehlers-Danlos syndrome ligament elasticity arms legs dislocate skin type non-fatal bad symptoms spine twisting digestion issues youth camp friends helped guitar set-up prayed healing instant recovery no recurrence thankful miracle faith foundation contrasted chronic Addison's healing theology faith righteousness belief living God's economy trust healing kingdom faithful heart walking faith even amid finances needs met healing no different medication dependence desire full healing encourage body Christ witness ultimate dream encouraged trust Lord
Final advice leaders battling illness burnout discouragement called chosen such time give best season evangelist said best good enough God provides increase infirmities struggles serve heart soul mind strength never leaves confirms word trials strengthen draw closer joy fight keep humor remember faithfulness surrender kingdom not own recalibrate season reveal new light God faithful child building kingdom
Thankful for time Andy appreciate conversation encouraging listeners facing weighty seasons
This concludes our show today my name Ryan Franklin thank you joining Christian Leader Made Simple podcast
Copyright © 2025 Ryan Franklin. All rights reserved.
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