Rev Andy Eldred is a former professional heavy metal musician who after a radical conversion in Christ in 1992 began his ministry in Youth with a mission (YWAM), then served as youth pastor and minister of Evangelism at a large non-denominational church in NC USA. He served as Director of Steiger Massachusetts working on the streets and supporting local churches. He moved to Waikanae in 2003 with his family and became a priest in 2006 working as youth Pastor and as priest assistant in Waikanae. In 2009 Andy became the Vicar of St Luke’s Anglican Parish in Greytown which grew significantly over the 9 years he served as Vicar. He served as Vicar of St Mark’s in Carterton in 2017 and served until he took a break from full time ministry to pursue his love of hospitality, food and music trying his hand at running a Andy’s Food with Love food trailer and catering. He also went back to school to study psychology and counselling. He now provides counselling and support services by appointment.  Andy has always had a passion for seeing the church be the force of God in the world that it was created to be and has continued serving the Church by preaching and taking services around the Wellington region. Andy is excited to now be serving the parish of St Hilda’s and the people of Upper Hutt. You may also occasionally see him playing music down at the pub or a party with one of the bands that He plays in. Andy says, “Playing music is not only good for outreach but great for the soul.” Andy also has a passion for raising up the next generation of musicians and has worked with several schools and communities to create youth bands. This is something that he hopes to explore in his time serving in Upper Hutt.

A “thank you” to St. Hilda’s Anglican Church Upper Hutt for sending this article to The Upper Hutt Connection.

30/03/26