‘He had a beautiful soul’ – Ballymena pastor’s heartfelt tribute to Lee Agnew as fundraiser offers hope to others
Well-known Ballymena man Lee Agnew sadly passed away over the weekend
Monday 19 October 2026
Lee Agnew was preparing to take an important step towards overcoming drug addiction — an 11-month rehabilitation programme that offered hope of a new chapter in his life.
Tragically, Lee passed away on Sunday night, 18 October, before he could begin that journey, leaving his family, friends and Ballymena church community heartbroken at the loss of a man remembered for his beautiful heart and his willingness to help anyone in need.
Now, Pastor Pip Kerr of Ballymena Elim Church is hoping Lee’s memory can help give others the opportunity for recovery he had been looking forward to, through a fundraising appeal supporting Teen Challenge’s work in Northern Ireland.
A larger-than-life character with a beautiful heart
Remembering his friend, Pastor Kerr described Lee with warmth, affection and the honesty that comes from knowing someone through both their good times and their struggles.
He said Lee was “a larger than life character with a beautiful heart - a loveable soul who would have done anything to help someone in need. He was a challenge at times, but a dear friend.”
It is a tribute that captures more than Lee’s struggles with addiction. It speaks of a man who, despite facing difficulties of his own, still cared deeply about other people.
Pastor Kerr said:
“Many of us were devastated to hear about the passing of our much-loved friend, Lee. We continue to send all of our love to Linda, Curtis, Courtney and the family circle.”
On the JustGiving page established in Lee’s memory, he shared another personal reflection on the friend he had come to know through his ministry.
“My name is Pip and I had the privilege of being Lee Agnew's pastor. Lee was a larger than life character who had a beautiful soul and many of us were deeply saddened to hear about his passing. All of our thoughts and love are sent to Linda, Curtis, Courtney and the rest of the family - we are praying for you all.”
The hope of a new beginning
Before his death, Lee had been preparing to enter an 11-month rehabilitation programme with Teen Challenge, an organisation supporting people affected by addiction and other life-controlling problems.
For Lee and those who cared about him, the programme represented an opportunity to begin addressing the difficulties he had faced and work towards recovery.
Pastor Kerr spoke openly about the devastating timing of his friend’s death and the hopes that had surrounded the planned rehabilitation.
“Lee struggled greatly with drugs and he was ready to go on an 11-month rehabilitation programme with Teen Challenge. The timing of his death and hopes we had for this programme have left us all devastated.”
His words reflect the heartbreak of losing someone at a time when those around them had been looking forward to a hopeful new chapter.
Turning grief into an opportunity to help others
Amid that sadness, Pastor Kerr and the church community have established a JustGiving appeal in Lee’s memory, with donations going towards Teen Challenge’s efforts to expand its outreach in Northern Ireland.
The decision reflects something Pastor Kerr believes was central to Lee’s character — his desire to help other people, even while facing significant challenges himself.
“Lee was always passionately trying to help other people and we know that he would want us to set this page up to help raise funds for Teen Challenge. Drugs have ruined too many people’s lives.”
The appeal also draws attention to the wider impact of drug addiction in Ballymena, where the consequences can be felt not only by those experiencing addiction, but by families, friends and communities supporting them.
Pastor Kerr said:
“Given the problem with drug addiction in our town and the fact that Lee was so close to going for rehabilitation at Teen Challenge, we have set this Just Giving page up to raise funds for Teen Challenge in memory of Lee.”
Teen Challenge and its work in Northern Ireland
Teen Challenge is a Christian organisation which supports people affected by drug and alcohol addiction and other life-controlling problems, with a focus on helping individuals find hope and work towards lasting change.
Its faith-based approach combines practical support, personal development and encouragement as people seek to overcome addiction and rebuild their lives.
Teen Challenge has an outreach presence in Northern Ireland, while its wider rehabilitation work includes longer-term residential programmes designed to provide structure and support for those seeking recovery.
The funds raised in Lee’s memory are intended to help Teen Challenge develop its outreach in Northern Ireland, supporting its ambition to reach more individuals and families affected by addiction.
Explaining why he believes the organisation’s work is important, Pastor Kerr said:
“Teen Challenge does a remarkable work. Their vision is to help people find hope and break free from life-controlling problems, such as drug and alcohol addiction.”
He added:
“All of these funds will go to help as they seek to build their outreach in Northern Ireland. We trust that in the midst of our sadness hope might be brought to other people.”
Remembering Lee through kindness and compassion
Ballymena Elim Church is encouraging people to consider making a donation to the appeal or sharing it to raise awareness of Teen Challenge and the support it seeks to provide.
“We would love you to consider supporting Teen Challenge as they seek to increase their outreach in Northern Ireland. It would also be lovely if you could share this post and raise awareness.”
For Linda, Curtis, Courtney and the wider family circle, the loss of Lee is deeply personal, and the affection expressed by those who knew him reflects the place he held in their lives.
His story is also a reminder that addiction does not define the entirety of a person’s life. Behind the struggles are people with personalities, friendships, hopes and the capacity to bring kindness into the lives of others.
Pastor Kerr’s description of Lee as someone who would have done anything to help a person in need offers a fitting way to remember him.
And while Lee never had the opportunity to begin the rehabilitation programme he had been preparing for, those who loved him now hope that, through this appeal, his memory will help someone else take that important step towards recovery.
You can visit the JustGiving page and donate via the button below.
