ALPHA NEWS

Prison might be a forgotten place to city folks who are busy rushing about with their daily routines, but God has never forgotten it and the people in there. God has put this burden in the hearts of some brothers and sisters who have been dedicating their time and care to inmates and ex-offenders. Brothers and sisters from Christian New Life Association, Christian Prison Pastoral Association, Kun Sun Association and Alpha for Prison team who have been to different prisons in Hong Kong & Tainan will share how they run Alpha courses in these places. Come and hear their testimonies of how God has used them to bless the lost souls, and how they were blessed in being obedient to the Lord. The first Alpha course was run in prison in 1995 in England in response to an enquiry from an inmate. Since then it has grown internationally to 80 countries. In Hong Kong the first Alpha for Prisons started in 2002.

September 2011

Alpha for Prisons Vision Sharing

1995 () Date
Enquiry: Ms. Lydia Wu Tel: 2131-9782 Email: lydia@alpha.org.hk Registration: Alpha Course Hong Kong Tel: 2869 1066 Fax: 2869 1313 Email: hkalpha@alpha.org.hk

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2002 Tuesday, 11 Oct 2011 20111011 () 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm The Ward Memorial Methodist Church
54 Waterloo Road, Kowloon

Time Venue Language

2131 9782 lydia@alpha.org.hk 2869 1066 2869 1313 : hkalpha@alpha.org.hk

Bilingual (Cantonese & English) ()

I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Matthew 25:36 25:36
Rm 1003, 10/F., Kodak House II, No. 39 Healthy St. East, North Point, Hong Kong 39 2 10 1003

tel (852) 2869 1066

fax (852) 2869 1313

hkalpha@alpha.org.hk

www.alpha.org.hk

Alpha Hong Kong

Message from the National Director

On September 10, 2011, the Alpha-for-Prisons (AfP) Ministry team of EFCC Tung Fook Church (TFC) kick-started a new round of Alpha Course at Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution (PSWCI). Once again I offered to support the kick-off party as a volunteer with them. I look forward to witnessing the mighty power of our God in that place. The TFC Ministry Team of eight, led by Pastor Denis Hui, normally runs Alpha Course with volunteers twice a year. The weekly course will not be interrupted unless Black Rain or Typhoon 8 signal is hoisted. This year is their eighth year of operations at PSWCI and I solute their faithful service there. The team arrived at PSWCI at around two Oclock in the afternoon and had to go through normal security check point. Eventually we reached the Recreation Room in the basement after spending time in prayer at the Guest Room. Without delay, one person set up the microphone, one got the extension cord ready, and the other hooked up the projector what an efficient and seamless teamwork! It did not take long to put everything in order before the inmates to arrive at the Recreation Room. This new round of Alpha Course was rather unique as there was an Alpha Course graduate in the AfP team who was a PSWCI inmate some six years ago. This person, totally transformed

by the power of the Gospel subsequent to being born again, is today working at one of the Christian rehabilitation centers for drug addicts. The visit that day was his very first return after his release: no longer was he in prison uniform but he may wear clothing such as T-shirt and jean according to his own will. The sole purpose of his coming back to PSWCI was to witness for the power, faithfulness and loving kindness of Christ in the transformation of his life. We could tell that upon listening to his sharing, the participating inmates were looking forward to the Alpha Course which shall run for more than ten weeks thereafter, all wanting to find out who this Jesus is who was able to thoroughly turn this rotten fellow of their own kind into a completely new person. As it is written in Rom 10:14: How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? I pray that more believers respond to the call of Christ and make themselves available to run or help run Alpha Course at each of the prisons and correctional centers in Hong Kong so that inmates may be able to receive new life in Christ.

T 14 Caroline Liu Alpha Hong Kong National Director

Denis Huis testimony on Tung Fook Church Alpha for Prisons

D e n i s

Much had been experienced since my involvement in the Alpha-for-Prisons ministry six years ago, having started as a volunteer and now become a full-time worker. As those inmates I came across mostly grew up in a broken family, this ministry indeed opened my eyes to the adversity that a broken family could bring to the life of a person. I cannot help but remind myself time and time again that in no way would I allow this to happen to my family. Without my knowing, I grew to love my family even more and treasure our relationship day by day. Through Alpha for Prisons, I also witnessed how God had through His greatness transformed those who truly believed and trusted in Him. God still loves those in prison, even though they are often being regarded as useless and worthless in the society. I desire to witness Gods hand in the ministry and this keeps me going. The joy of sharing a part of Gods work is indescribable. Gods grace such as this can be experienced only by personally getting involved in the Alpha for Prisons ministry. I sincerely hope that you may also have this same joy one day.

Tai Lam Correctional Institution Mid-Autumn Festival Prison Ministry

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by Karl Fu
2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Thank you God for this beautiful day! Thank you for touching the hearts of so many inmates at Tai Lam to have them come out and joined us, and leading us to reveal your mercy and love to them on this traditional festival. It was a whole day event organized by the Christian New Life Association, supported by Alpha Hong Kong, for greeting different groups of inmates in 4 sessions, and to encourage these men that with the Gospel and love of Jesus, there is hope and new life! The visit team of twelve brothers and sisters in Christ, included the New Life prison ministry team led by Pastor Cheng, Alpha HK by Caroline, and 4 guest performing artists. With Gods blessing, totally more than 250 inmates came out and enjoyed the event, and the Tai Lam officials provided outstanding support. The program started with a brief introduction of New Life, Alpha HK, the visit team members, and the purpose of our visit, with the theme In Jesus We Are One Family and sing-along for ice breaking. Our guest artists then performed worship songs for thanksgiving and praising the Lord. They individually also shared their own testimony, their spiritual journey and new life in the love of Jesus. After the sermons from Pastor Cheng and Carol, the

New Life ministry team closed each session singing the song Never Look Back! To me, this was such a wonderful experience and spiritual journey walking in Jesus - much more than just being there as a helper! Its all about love one another, for love comes from God (I John 4:7). Thank you Jesus for your awesome plan for me (and all others) with this outreach! Not only it was touching and encouraging to see many inmates so engaged and happy, but also the powerful testimonies and sermons from the visit team sharing their strong faith in You! I was tearful when one of the performing artist Charis shared her life stories, and how You loved her and brought her back with a new life! And, twenty inmates came to Christ today! Hallelujah! Please pray for these new fruits to come to the Alpha course to be held at Tai Lam next month, to grow in Him! Praise God, Amen! The amazing grace of Jesus, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you! (Nicky Gunbels posting on Facebook this week)

Alpha for Prisons Training @ Christian New Life Association


(17) Caroline Facebook 20 Charis Caroline

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We conducted an Alpha for Prisons (AfP) training to workers at the Christian New Life Association (CNLA) on September 8. Pastor Denis Hui was invited to share on his vast experience in running AfP at various prisons and correctional institutes in Hong Kong. It is the intention of CNLA to soon start the AfP at the Tai Lam Correctional Institute and the Hei Ling Chau Addiction Treatment Centre, ensuring inmates and drug addicts there have an opportunity to hear the gospel and in turn receive new life in Christ Jesus.

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Alpha for Prisons trip to Taiwan

by Heidi

During the course, the amazing work of God was also to me an eye opener! First, I wanted to mention about the hot weather which was rather severe in Tainan at this time of the year and unfortunately there was no air conditioning in the class room. Guess what God had done: He brought rain whenever we had class but stopped it whenever we had outdoor activities. All those attending the course reckoned this a wonder. Further, I wanted to talk about certain members in the small group who had been transformed during the course by the gospel message that Alpha carried. Wai Ip (alias) was the first person coming to mind. He declared himself an atheist right from day one and did not share much during the discussion and people tended to leave him alone. Just when our group leader and I were talking about his inactivity as such the following day, he offered a Bible verses card for the two of us. On the third day, our friend even wrote a prayer for others to pray on his behalf. Finally, on the fourth day which was about the Holy Spirit, I was rather disappointed to notice while praying for the group members that he stood up and headed toward the washroom upon the pastor making an appeal for the group to accept Christ after the Alpha message. To my surprise however, Wai Ip appeared again to join those in the front to become a believer! He later explained that he had to clear his mind in the washroom just to make sure his decision to follow Christ was a wise one. Then, there was Man Sheng (alias) who grew up in a Christian family. He shared that he had run away from God for more than thirty years but never thought that God had not given up on him

even when he ended up in the prison. He gave himself to Christ during the Holy Spirit day. Lastly, I remembered Ho Lap (alias), an inmate with tattoos all over his body and always talked with vulgar languages. He did not talk much but uttered only triad jargons whenever he opened his mouth to share. However, he was the one who led the entire class on the graduation day to praise God with the hymn You Are the Only One what an amazing picture! Even though he had not yet accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at the time of our departure, some group members did find out that he was now reading the Bible. Ho Lap of course gave the excuse of having read all of the other books that were available inside the prison already. I only wanted to pray that God would speak to him in person. As the course drew to an end, members in the discussion group, to my surprise, wrote prayers for my marriage. That was really touching! All these friends behind the walls, who had been forsaken by their families and rejected by the society as a whole, found out for themselves that they can still have true love in Christ Jesus. Oh, our heavenly Father, I just wanted to thank you for letting us find You a bit earlier. All glory and praise be to God Jehovah!

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