Family, friends and well-wishers packed the enormous Hillsong Church in Sydney's Baulkham Hills earlier this month to send off Andrew Chan.

Tenterfield’s Salvation Army captain Joel Soper was one of those who said his farewells to a man who went out mired in controversy.

“The Chan and Soper families first met 28 years ago when The Salvation Army transferred my parents to work in the Strathfield area of Sydney and our friendship that began as children has remained strong down through our adult years,” Joel said.

“Living just a few doors down the street we enjoyed life together.  We celebrated birthdays, Chinese New Year, went to Sunday school, played in sporting teams and had fun after school and so much more.

Andrew and Joel enjoyed numerous holidays as kids at the Soper family property near Bald Rock and forged a lasting friendship.

“In the last weeks and months of Andrew’s life, the stories of those Tenterfield holidays were a great source of laughter and rich in good memories.

“He (Andrew) was like our little brother, full of energy, with a great sense of humour, he loved his sport and his personality shone through.

“After 4 years living as neighbours, we were transferred from Sydney, but our friendship with the Chan family remained and family visits and our holidays continued,” Joel said.

At a young age Andrew fell prey to drugs according to Mr Soper.

It became a downward spiral which he would eventually pay for with his life after being arrested for drug smuggling in 2005.

“The tragic circumstances which led to Andrew’s consequent arrest are now well documented, however what is not known so well is that Andrew Chan transformed his life. 

“In the worst of circumstances Andrew turned his life around.  It would have been so easy to stay ‘hooked’ in the fear and the filth of the prison but he made a decision to clean up his life and try to make a difference in the lives around him. 

“Sometimes it was three steps forward and two steps back but he persisted,” Joel said.

As was heavily discussed before his subsequent execution, Andrew had reformed according to Joel.

“A big part of his journey was seeking after God and changing from the inside out. 

“His repentance was genuine, his love for others, extra mile care and concern became well known and greatly valued.”

Joel says he and the family paid numerous visits to Kerobokan prison where Chan was kept.

“In recent weeks my father, Major David Soper, had the immense privilege and the terrible heartache of being with Andrew in his final hours before the execution,” Joel said.

“Whilst it is true that Andrew wanted to live, it is certainly a fact that Andrew was prepared to die. 

“I for one am praying that Andrew’s story will speak strongly into the lives of young people and keep them from making those same wrong choices.

“The children and young people in our community have so many challenges and temptations surrounding them.  The issue of drugs threatens to ruin so many lives.

“I am convinced that we must be more diligent as parents, teachers and community leaders and far more intentional in our protection of our children and young people,” Joel said.