Sharon Hung

An International Student

I came to the United States one and a half years ago from China to pursue my Master’s Degree. That December I started going to Grace Chapel, and two months later, I was invited by my friends to the Alpha course.

Before the course, I had little knowledge about Christianity because my family does not have any religion. To me, God was a powerful, sacred name that I was curious to know but did not know how to find out about him. The first time I went to the course I called myself a spectator: those who are curious about God, but not so sure who God is. 

During the weekly Alpha meetings, I deepened my relationship in a lot of ways: the talks, small table discussion, and other people sharing their experiences about God. I was like a piece of blank paper to Christianity and it really helped me to hear from others about their experiences. When I heard their experiences I thought oh, I never thought about that question or I never thought about it in this way. Questions I had thought about for a long time, such as why God doesn’t reveal Himself to us face to face so everyone will believe immediately, and why are we are all sinners, and what is the relationship between Father, Son and Holy Spirit, were all answered through discussion. I started to have a deeper understanding about God’s way of love. The participants used their background as a tool to help others and everyone grew.

In the final class, I took out the Spiritual Journey line and thought about where I was then. I upgraded from spectator, to new believer, and officially became a Learner: those who are growing in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Finally I opened myself to God, like what I drew in a picture during the Alpha course when we talked about Jesus standing at the door of our hearts. My door is now wide open, grass and flowers prospering, and a stone path reaching further, I am standing in front of my door, welcoming God to visit. 

Without knowing who God is or how to approach God, my life would be entirely different. Please invite people like me because I do not know how my life would be if no one invited me to alpha. I would not have the peace and joy within my heart every day. And knowing Jesus died for my sins, I can know God through Jesus.