Finding Purpose in Pain: Alan Howes’ Journey to Pastoral Leadership
In a moving ceremony on February 7, 2026, Alan Howes was officially inducted as the new pastor of Emmanuel Church in Aylsham, marking a remarkable chapter in his life’s journey. The service, attended by over seventy people including family, friends, and representatives from six other Aylsham churches, celebrated not just a new beginning for the congregation, but also the culmination of a profound personal transformation born from tragedy. As Byron Jones, an Elder at Emmanuel Church, led the proceedings, and retired Baptist minister David Adams delivered an encouraging message on church leadership, the atmosphere resonated with a sense of hope and renewal. The ceremony represented far more than a typical pastoral appointment—it symbolized the incredible resilience of the human spirit when supported by faith and community.
Alan’s path to this position is inseparably linked to a devastating family tragedy that occurred four years earlier. In April 2022, the Howes family experienced unimaginable trauma when their seven-year-old son Nathanael was accidentally run over by their own car in a split-second mishap, suffering severe life-changing head and brain injuries. The incident threatened to completely derail their lives, as Alan, his wife Lindsay, and their daughters Gabriella and Leila, devoted themselves entirely to Nathanael’s recovery. “Four years ago, my world fell apart and I could see no way forward. I thought I had nothing to give but the Lord had other ideas,” Alan reflects. Today, Nathanael, now eleven, continues to make what Alan describes as “miraculous progress” in relearning to walk and talk—a journey of recovery that has shaped every aspect of the family’s life and spiritual understanding.
The connection between the Howes family and Emmanuel Church began in 2023 when they were invited to share their story of trauma and resilience with the congregation. What started as a speaking engagement evolved naturally as they became more involved in church activities, with Alan discovering that his experiences had deepened his ability to teach and lead with authenticity and compassion. When the pastoral position became available, Alan felt a divine nudging that it was time to move beyond merely surviving each day. “It wasn’t enough just to stay in maintenance mode and try and cope each day,” he explains. “I felt the Lord say that I needed to find purpose in the pain.” This realization led not only to his pursuit of the pastoral role but also to the creation of strengthinsuffering.com, a website where the family shares their experiences and offers spiritual encouragement to others facing their own trials.
As he steps into leadership at Emmanuel Church, Alan brings with him a unique perspective shaped by profound suffering and healing. He describes the congregation as “a wonderfully warm close-knit family with a vision and passion to move forward into all that God has for us this year and beyond.” His approach to ministry is deeply influenced by his own journey—understanding firsthand how faith communities can provide crucial support during life’s darkest moments. The message delivered at his induction by David Adams resonated particularly strongly, emphasizing both the importance of teaching “the whole counsel of God” and the necessity of self-care while serving others. For Alan, these principles aren’t theoretical concepts but lived realities, as he has experienced both the depths of despair and the gradual restoration that can follow.
The Howes family’s story illustrates how tragedy can ultimately lead to unexpected purpose and connection. Norwich-born Alan and his wife Lindsay now view their son’s ongoing recovery as a continual miracle that informs their approach to ministry and community. Their openness about their struggles has created authentic bonds with the Emmanuel Church congregation, who have embraced not just a new pastor but a family whose vulnerability and strength offer a powerful testimony. “I am both excited and humbled to be able to step into the role of Pastor at Emmanuel Church Aylsham,” Alan shares. “It is an immense privilege to have this opportunity to help lead and shape the church spiritually and a challenge that Lindsay and I do not take lightly.”
Looking toward the future, Alan expresses enthusiasm about collaborating with other churches in the Aylsham community. “We are very much looking forward to working together with the other churches in Aylsham,” he says. “There is a great sense of community with some wonderful work already going on and to be a part of that and lead Emmanuel Church forward in the community is such a blessing.” This outward-facing approach reflects Alan’s belief that churches function best when they work together to serve their broader communities. As the Howes family continues to navigate Nathanael’s recovery while embracing this new chapter of ministry, their story stands as a powerful reminder of resilience, faith, and the possibility of finding new purpose through life’s most challenging circumstances—a message that will undoubtedly form the cornerstone of Alan’s pastoral leadership at Emmanuel Church Aylsham in the years to come.
