Personal Alpha Testimony

by Donna B

It occurred to me that I have enjoyed and gained so much from this Alpha course that I should tell others about it. I am often better with the written word, so I decided to write my thoughts down.

Since starting Alpha I have matured spiritually, and I see things more clearly now.

If someone were to ask me what Alpha is, I’d tell them simply that it is a scripture-based lecture series. But it is SO much more than that too.

People have been asking me to take Alpha for several years, and I always said I would when my children were older . My son just turned three and my daughter is almost six, so I decided it was time. I am so glad I did not take Alpha before though, because I do not think I was spiritually prepared, and therefore I would not have gained from it as much as I have.

I was not raised in a family that went to church every Sunday. I took Bible lessons through the mail as a child. It was not until I started university that God kept sending people my way to introduce me to Christianity. So my spiritual journey started almost twenty years ago. Through university and college several people (a few of which were theology students) influenced me spiritually.

In 1987, in order to attend college, I moved to Ontario, far away from my family and friends. Life as I knew it in small town Saskatchewan completely changed for me. I remember praying to God, asking Him to watch over me and to take care of my far-off family.

In the fall of 1989, I was baptized so I could receive communion during my wedding ceremony. The following spring, I was confirmed. Still, it was not until the summer of 1994 that I asked Jesus into my heart. Since then, I have attended bible studies and church as much as possible with two small children. I learned a lot during those years, but still felt like a very new Christian. I knew there was much more to understand and develop in terms of my faith and relationship with God.

Still, since starting Alpha I have matured spiritually, and I see things more clearly now. I have experienced God in a whole new and profound way. For example, I learned a great deal about the Holy Spirit; and during prayer I asked to be filled with more of the Holy Spirit. I actually felt a physical presence descend upon me. It left me feeling lighter in my heart and it gave me a sense of peace I have never experienced before. I believe this helped to lift a depression I have been suffering for more than two years.

During the healing service I experienced God communicating with me. I indicated to the Lord I was open to receiving words of knowledge and if he gave them to me I would pray for those who were experiencing pain. I was very humbled and in total awe when God gave me two words of knowledge and then gave me the words to pray for three people.

Not only has my knowledge and understanding of my faith grown tremendously, I have also gained a group of wonderful new friends. These friends have shared my jokes, trials, their own experiences and answers to my many questions. As Alpha draws to a close, I would like to thank everyone in my group for all they have given me. I would also like to thank the leaders, helpers and cooks for making this a truly awesome experience. May the Lord be with you all.

— Donna attended the first Kanata Community Alpha course , Jan - March 2002