Alpha Testimonies
Donny lives in the Twin Cities area and shared his story at the 2010 Annual Alpha Twin Cities Celebration on November 19, 2010.
Rhonda also shared her story at the 2010 Annual Alpha Twin Cities Celebration. This is what she had to say about her experience on Alpha.
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Testimonies and Endorsements
Heidi Baum: Claiming Christ for her own sake
The birth of her daughter, Edeline, spurred Heidi Baum to seek a church home. But little did Heidi know that Jesus wanted a relationship with her as much as her new baby.
Before Heidi’s pregnancy, she suffered a tremendous loss in the death of her grandmother, a special woman with whom Heidi shared the same home and a very close bond. “I knew God was there but didn’t know how to ask for help,” says Heidi. Feeling lonely, depressed and desperate for a lifeline, she turned to alcohol.
Drinking heavily, staying out late and almost losing her job, Heidi found herself in a dark downward spiral, but she believes it was a season when she started asking some crucial questions: “Why am I like this? Why can’t I quit?”
In the midst of her struggles, Heidi found out she was pregnant and “had no choice but to quit.” Her sobriety lasted until Edeline arrived but, still without God in her life, Heidi returned to her old destructive habits.
Though church was never a big part of Heidi’s history, she remained determined to have Edeline baptized. Upon searching the Internet for something nearby, Heidi came across two churches that piqued her interest, one being North Heights Lutheran Church in Arden Hills, Minn.
“At the membership class, they mentioned taking Alpha to learn more about God and pursuing a relationship with Him,” Heidi recalls. “I finally showed up at the second or third class.”
It was there that Heidi began not only learning more about Jesus but also falling in love with Him through the Bible and the talks by Nicky Gumbel. “I always knew who God and Jesus were, but never experienced them before Alpha,” claims Heidi.
Then, on the weekend retreat, it all came together. Heidi invited the Holy Spirit into her heart, and she’s led a transformed life ever since.
Today, Heidi continues to claim Christ for her own sake—not just for her daughter’s. She no longer drinks. She enjoys new friendships with people who also have Christ as their foundation. And she helps on Alpha teams, attends a weekly Bible study and participates in all kinds of church activities.
On top of that, Heidi looks forward to a brighter future with her fiancé, Jason, and baby Edeline. “At first, I did all this stuff for her,” reflects Heidi. “I never anticipated experiencing God on this level in my own life.”
ENDORSEMENTS
“Alpha is very complimentary to helping seekers connect with the Purpose Driven Life.”
Rick Warren, Author/Sr. Pastor, Saddleback Church
“Nicky Gumbel has helped millions through the Alpha Course…very few people alive have done this much to help people find God.”
Bill Hybels, Sr. Pastor, Willow Creek Church
“There are many ways to evangelize. Alpha is one of the most effective. More Catholic churches in our area are using the course and are seeing lives changed as a result.”
Archbishop Harry Flynn, retired Archdiocese of Minneapolis & St. Paul
“I rejoice at how God is using Alpha so powerfully to renew many churches both inside and outside prison walls.”
Chuck Colson, Founder, Prison Fellowship Ministries
“I have been greatly impressed by the growth of Alpha worldwide and the simple yet powerful way it introduces people to the good news of Jesus. This proven approach to reaching out has found a home in all kinds of churches and all kinds of social/economic levels. I hardily recommend Alpha.”
John Quam, Mission America Coalition
“I'm not aware of any ministry that God has used so powerfully to bring people into the family of God and open them up to the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. It's sweeping the nations.”
Paul Anderson, Director, Lutheran Renewal
“Alpha is a powerful tool for the local church to use in its quest to relevantly touch this world with the gospel.”
Clarence St. John, Superintendent, Minnesota District Council
Assembly of God Churches
“Alpha is the tool that is bringing into reality the church we have always dreamed of!”
Mary Hagar, MN Alpha Leader
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PERSONAL TESTIMONIES
"My life before Alpha was miserable. I suffered from severe depression and was suicidal. During the Alpha course I experienced a miracle and now my whole life is completely different. Alpha led me to the biggest find of my life!"
- Kim, Alpha Participant
“Everything Alpha gave me was so positive! Alpha gave me patient and thoughtful answers to all of my questions!”
- Sarah, Alpha Participant
“During the Alpha course I gave my life to Jesus and my world changed!”
- Lori, Alpha Participant
“Before Alpha I was a CEO Christian (Christmas & Easter Only) but I was searching. Alpha drew me into relationships. I now have an intimate relationship with God as the center of my life and Jesus as my focus. I have a restored relationship with my family and friends where there is no self doubt or fear of rejection because I know my worth in His eyes. I’m no longer searching. Christ is now the CEO of my life.”
- Melissa, Alpha Participant
“Before Alpha I was a very angry person. My life was chaotic. I had been addicted to drugs since my youth. Drugs ended my first marriage; and was about to destroy my second marriage.
During the Holy Spirit retreat, I got on my knees and prayed for Jesus to remove the cravings because I was weak. I gave my life to Him that day and He took away all the cravings!”
- John, Alpha Participant
“When I came to Alpha I was a divorced mother of two young boys and felt that my divorce may have caused a permanent separation between me and God. During Alpha I came to understand who Jesus is; what His sacrifice meant for me and that I was fully forgiven. Alpha changed my life and I now have a close and growing relationship with God through his son, Jesus Christ. He has made me whole again.”
- Robin, Alpha Participant
"During the first Alpha session, I heard about people who “found” God, their faith, and a new life. I already believed in God and wasn’t looking to “find” him. But I decided to stick around assuming if I met people it might be worth my time. Well, I met people. I just did not count on one of them being Jesus Christ. Before Alpha I knew of him, but after Alpha, I know Him, and more importantly, He knows me!”
- Don, Alpha Participant
"Alpha showed me how to have a relationship with Jesus. By being in a small group and listening to the talks, I developed a desire to attend church regularly not just when I felt like it. Most amazingly, I asked for prayer to heal my migraine headaches. This prayer was answered! I’ve NEVER suffered another migraine since March 2004. I now have a much stronger faith and best of all God’s Spirit lives within ME!!"
- Kelly, Alpha Participant
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