A MIDDLEWICH woman has claimed that her life has been changed as a result of attending a special religious course.

Heather Jones, of Lea Drive, Wimboldsley, believes that Alpha courses brought about dramatic changes in her life and gave her a fresh start.

She now helps run Alpha meetings herself as a way for people to talk and find out more about Christianity and is encouraging people to come along.

The meetings include a series of short talks, a meal and a discussion in small groups on a variety of subjects such as who is Jesus, does God heal today, and what about the church?

Heather described what Alpha is all about.

She said: "The Alpha phenomenon is going to be huge news. It is one of Britain's biggest ever evangelising programmes - and it's spreading across the world."

What Alpha offers, and what is attracting thousands of people, is permission, rare in secular culture, to discuss the big questions of life and death and their meaning.

The course, which is now being held at Middlewich Christian Church, is free of charge and is for everyone and anyone - for non-churchgoers as well as those who wouldn't call themselves Christians.

Heather explained why she first became involved in Alpha.

She said: "It's quite a dramatic story I suppose. Before I became a Christian I was really searching for happiness in my life, in other places and in other ways.

"I was drinking and going out trying to fill my empty spaces. I was an angry person.

"When I became a Christian I felt I was forgiven and that it was very dramatic to have a new start.

"I now have a life which I feel is going somewhere and I know it has to carry on."

Alpha started in the Church of England with just four courses running in 1991. Today it has spread into all the Christian denominations with more than 6,000 churches across Britain taking part.

And it isn't confined to churches. It is also running in 80 UK prisons, on army and RAF bases, in pubs and wine bars, old people's homes and colleges.

This month sees the launch of the National Alpha Initiative as 1,500 billboards are unveiled across the nation. Songs of Praise is also broadcasting an Alpha special this Sunday, September 20.

Heather added: "Whatever your view of things religious, what cannot be ignored is the number of people claiming their lives have been changed as a result of attending.

"Perhaps it's time we got a bit more serious in our search to find out what life is all about. Perhaps it's time for the nation to taste and see?"

For more information about Alpha courses and where they are being held, contact the regional advisor, Andrew Baguley, on 01928 722102.

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