Media
Andrew is an itinerant Christian minister with literary and creative talents. He is a writer, playwright, broadcaster, presenter and an 'imaginer' and screenplay writer for film, TV and radio. His work is characterised by ethical, philosophical, psychological and spiritual themes. Forty years of work in a mosaic of cultures has given his writing an internationalism.
Andrew learnt his craft in a combat zone. For almost two decades, he was in demand as a storyteller in Britain's toughest inner city schools. With only his stories and a flair for performance, he subdued some of the most unruly pupils in the U.K. The experience taught him an important lesson: a brilliant narrative, credible characters and gripping action are the essential components in storytelling. He learnt to mix genres, combining comedy, tragedy, action and intrigue. These lessons have been transferred to his work in film, theatre and radio.
Multiple award winning Indian film and theatre director, Etienne Coutinho, remarks, 'Brandon combines creative brilliance and accessibility with an academic's commitment to meticulous research. He is a magical storyteller with an intuitive understanding of human character. He's impossible to categorise, a creative gymnast who springs from one genre to another, approaching his material from original and unusual perspectives. He has the rare gift for comedy and tragedy. "Neutralise their defenses with humour," he quips, "and you can slide a knife between their ribs." Brandon's an artist with a dangerous edge.'
Andrew's writing includes theatre and pantomime for children and adult theatre and film as well as documentaries. He defies stereotyping and has written in a number of different genres: science fiction, fantasy, comedy, historical, romantic, Westerns, action and topical. He has recently completed a groundbreaking thirty episode TV series that combines two parallel narratives: a First Century action epic and a Twenty-First Century family saga. The interconnected stories race towards a totally unexpected climax. Brandon's aphorism, "If the imagination doesn't move it stagnates," defines his approach to his art. He is the creative powerhouse behind CWEST and is responsible for the charity's motto: 'Excellence without Compromise'.
As creative director, Brandon mentors and inspires other artists, many of whom come from the UK's ethnic minorities. He lives and breathes diversity. Change stimulates him. He is happiest when he's in transit through London's diverse ethnic worlds, drawing his inspiration from the city's melting pot of cultures. In his spare time, he reads, writes poetry, weight trains, treks and cycle-camps across countries and continents. For his last documentary, 'Epic Journey: Seven Ancient Churches', he cycle-camped from London to Istanbul.
Teaching and Mission
Parallel with his creative and media work, Andrew is in demand as a Bible teacher, conference speaker and visiting lecturer. He is a skilled communicator and has been a guest speaker in almost all major denominations. He is passionate about spiritual formation and mission and brings both together in CWEST's mentoring missions and UTurn programme.
Brandon's writing include books on spirituality, 'Enjoying God', and theological critiques of contemporary religious movements, 'Health and Wealth' (a critique of the prosperity theology). His passion for God and theology inform his teaching, mentoring and media work. "Without God," he reflects, "my life and work would quickly spiral into meaninglessness. I find my destiny and meaning in his purpose."