Abilene church raising funds for beloved member’s medical recovery

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – On Sunday, September 7, 2025, the Minda Street Church of Christ will host a fundraiser in support of beloved longtime member Andreas “Andre” Royal. In 2023, Mr. Royal was involved in a life-altering car accident that left him without the use of his arms or legs. To help with his ongoing recovery, the church has planned “Andre Royal Day” to raise funds needed to make substantial accessibility upgrades to his home.

“Knowing that there are people there helping me, knowing that my wife is there beside me, it gives me support, it keeps me going,” Mr. Royal said.

His wife, Aurora Royal, said faith has always been a central component in their lives, which can be seen in her husband’s outlook even during such a difficult time.

“It’s been difficult, to say the least. Because when it happened, we were told that he probably wouldn’t ever walk again. But from the very day that it happened, he has held on to scripture that by ‘His blood’ he will be healed and he will walk again,” said Mrs. Royal.

It was April 29, 2023, that the accident occurred. Mr. Royal was out working on his grandfather’s old Ford pickup. A quick trip to the hardware store for a missing part turned to a near brush with fate, Mr. Royal recalled, “I’ll never forget that day… I pulled into the hardware store there in Potosi… Next thing I know, I had woken up and I hit a pole.”

Mr. Royal was told he had blacked out behind the wheel due to a confluence of health issues in his past. The collision occurred at a relatively low rate of speed, but his spine was damaged in the impact. Mr. Royal later found that he had a previously unknown-to-him congenital issue that caused his spine to be narrower than others.

“I played football, so it could have happened at any time. But, it happened then,” Mr. Royal said.

Through vigorous work and dedication to his recovery, Mr. Royal has been able to regain limited mobility in his arms and legs, though he does still require the use of a motorized wheelchair. Likewise, many of the roles he is used to filling have been taken up by his wife and children.

In hopes of lightening that load and easing his road to recovery, the funds raised by “Andre Royal Day” will be used to make handicap accessible improvements on the home they will soon be moving into. Minda Street Evangelist, Dr. Rickie Harris, explained to KTAB/KRBC what that day will entail.

“We’re gonna have a fabulous time on Sunday, worshiping God, and then we’ll be able to give back to God, and then turn around and give back to a faithful family. And be able to contribute to his recovery,” said Dr. Harris.

Beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 7, “Andre Royal Day” will be held at the Minda Street Church of Christ, 701 Minda Street in Abilene. For those who cannot attend, a livestream will be hosted on the Church’s YouTube Channel. Donations are already being accepted through a dedicated First Financial Bank account. For more information on how to donate to that account, you can call the account manager, Christy Burks, at (325) 627-7211 or by email at cburks@ffin.com.