Stories from Alpha 2008
Hazel Palmer
I first went forward and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour at a Billy Graham Crusade in 1965 at Earls Court and again the following year at Wembley Stadium. Since then I have attended various churches, but I was still searching.
I realise now that, although I had heard the gospel message, it hadn’t really sunk in, and I hadn’t made a true commitment. Finally, I was baptised in 2000. At the time I thought I had made a true commitment, but my husband died in January 2001 and although my faith got me through, I stopped going to church and went to spiritualist churches hoping to get a message from my husband. I realise now that was wrong.
A good friend of mine, who I first met at the Billy Graham Crusade at Earls Court, died in May 2006 at the great age of 91. She was a very committed Christian and I realised during the funeral service, not only how much I was going to miss her friendship and support, but also how much I missed going to Church and being close to the Lord. So after this I attended other churches but I still didn’t feel right inside. It wasn’t until I started attending South Street in February 2008 that I felt the true power of the Holy Spirit.
The Alpha course helped me to make a true commitment. I found the talks by Nicky Gumbel really thought provoking. He explained everything so simply and made the gospel message so easy to understand and accept. During the Alpha weekend away, I had a truly powerful experience and believe the Holy Spirit filled my heart.
I had a really bad pain in my chest, but after prayer and a good night’s sleep, it went away and when I got home I couldn’t stop singing and praising the Lord!
I believe that I had been bound for many years, but did not realise it, and now I have been set free.
Many thanks to South Street for the privilege of attending the Alpha course and the many friends I have made since February. I was a helper on the previous Alpha course and I am going to be leading a group on the next one.
Praise the Lord!
Hazel Palmer
Jessica Nash
For a while I had been losing the will to go to Church but Alpha helped me get back on track. I came not expecting anything to happen but it did and feel like I’m a better, happier person because of doing the Alpha course.
I’ve really enjoyed meeting the people I’ve met and the friendships that have formed, I am now part of the house group that was formed from the Alpha course and I am loving it. Alpha is great go and try it out.
Jessica Nash
Ben Haigh
Initially I was planning to just help out with the organisation of the Alpha course. I had recently returned to my Christian faith after an absence of several years, but still thought that I was in an 'ok place' and that I would happily observe rather than participate. How wrong I was!
The Alpha course runs for ten weeks and is clearly open to all. Whether you are a complete sceptic, lukewarm or just curious then it really is a case of 'one size fits all'. With regards to myself I needed to get back to the basics of Christianity. I feel that any Christian can easily tune out from the important stuff. I had a need to re-connect and to understand it again.
I finished the course feeling refreshed and positive about my faith. Whether believer or non-believer the course has an extremely relaxed environment that is anything but threatening or heavy. The calm atmosphere enabled me to safely contribute, share and question with ease. Meeting other people with similar thoughts, questions and answers made each session fulfilling in its' on way. In addition I made several great new friends.
I would thoroughly recommend the Alpha course at South Street Baptist Church. Alpha is the ideal opportunity to explore, renew or simply get some answers. Go for it! You won't be disappointed.
Ben Haigh
To join the Alpha course this year, please email Irene at admin@southstreetchurch.org.uk or call 020 8691 1270.