Synopsis

She thought her story was over. He sees a woman God’s not finished with yet.

Ayanti Effiong, known to the world as Yanni the pop star, is used to being judged. Fame gave her everything—then stripped it all away. Now, back in the real world with a record and regret, she wants nothing more than to stay invisible.

Mensah Afortey has his own struggles. His ministry is on the edge. His faith, tested. And when a woman with a complicated past enters his world, everything he thought he knew about timing, grace, and love is upended.

As they slowly let down their guards, a deeper truth begins to emerge: no matter how far we fall, God’s love still finds us. And He doesn’t just redeem our past… He renames our future.

He Changed My Name is a tender, faith-rich romance about identity, grace, and the love story that begins when we finally surrender who we thought we had to be.

Character Visuals

Excerpt

The shrill ring of her phone brought her back to the present. She sat up against the headboard. Her heartbeat accelerated as she answered the phone. It was Debby.
“Please give me good news.”
“Hey, chica,” Debby responded. “I hope you’re doing better.”
Earlier, Ayanti had a breakdown. She had screamed and bawled her eyes out, wishing she was back in Calabar, the capital city of her home, Cross Rivers in Nigeria. It seemed like a lifetime ago she won that competition and left the country.
“Yes, I’m fine, but tell me I can be better.”
“Okay, here’s the deal. Charity for Homes had filled up with court ordered volunteers until next month…”
“I can’t wait that long!”
“Lemme finish, girlie. We were able to get you to volunteer with them not as an individual, but under a church group.”
“A church!” Ayanti wiped her hands across her face. She hadn’t been in one of those in years. Did Debby have any idea the kind of judgment that went on in that place? She’d take her chances with the mean police officer until next month.
“Hear me out. The church volunteers with Homes for Charity as a non-sponsor group. You can be part of those volunteers and when they are not volunteering, you can still make up some hours by working in the church. That way, you can get this thing over with faster. Now tell me that doesn’t beat picking up trash in the streets,” Debby finished.
“But those people would have known what I did. Why I’m there…”
“And? Which one of them there hasn’t done anything bad?” Debby asked. “Girl, think about it. Besides, you have nothing else to lose at this point.”
“I guess you’re right.” Ayanti contemplated the whole arrangement.
“Of course I am.” A beat of silence passed between them. “Now get some rest and I’ll see you tomorrow. Think about it and let me know what you want to do. You have until the end of the week.”
“What’s the name of the church?”
“Ummm…hold on.” The shuffling noise of paper could be heard in the background. “It’s called Calvary Is the Way. It’s on Auburn.”
Ayanti remained silent for a few minutes. After a while they disconnected. Ayanti switched off the television and turned to her side. Calvary Is the Way? She rolled her eyes. These new age churches and their names. What ever happened to churches with sensible names? Like Mount something…
© 2016 Unoma Nwankwor

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