Peter Dewberry was  born  in South Africa. He became a Christian  at age 15  and  was  called into the    Christian ministry in his   early  twenties.

After Seminary, he received ordination from  the Baptist Union of Southern Africa.

He met his wife, Sheila, in   1970, they were married in April 1971. Sheila was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. Sheila is a professional Radiographer, she qualified in this field at the Johannesburg General Hospital. She has since worked in a variety of hospital and private practices in South Africa and the USA.

In July of 1971, Peter and Sheila, along with a small group of supporters; planted Goodwood Baptist Church (GBC). During their ministry at GBC, they were blessed with the birth of a son and two daughters, Michael, Anne and Fiona. In the years that followed the founding of GBC, Peter and Sheila were instrumental in planting three other churches, Emmanuel Baptist Church in Durban, South Africa, White Marsh Baptist Church in Gloucester County, Virginia and NewLife Christian Fellowship in Glastonbury, Connecticut. They have 4 grandchildren, 3 girls and 1 boy.

While pastoring NewLife Christian Fellowship in Glastonbury, Connecticut, Peter and Sheila were introduced to Alpha by friends visiting from Montreal who had brought an Alpha tape with them.

One evening we watched the first session after dinner. We were hooked and decided to introduce Alpha to the Church. At that time the Church was meeting in a school but we started doing Alpha. We held courses in the school, and in private homes. We saw the faith of many come alive, the deepening of the spiritual lives of folk and the establishment of several home groups which owe their origin to Alpha

Toward the end of 2002, I began to sense an interest and concern for the spiritual needs of prisoners. I realized that God was calling me away from pastoral ministry and into prison ministry.

My experience in using Alpha in a Church made me I realize that Alpha is a perfect tool to reach the incarcerated. The message is clear, the presentations engaging and the format is adaptable to many different situations and environments. Inmates respond to Alpha in a remarkable way, they especially appreciate the Alpha approach which allows them to Explore the Questions of Life

In the summer of 2003 I founded Free Inside, a Christian Ministry to Prisoners, with the express purpose of making Christ and His love known to prisoners using Alpha as a tool.

Scroll down to read about Jack Cowley, USA Director: Alpha for Prisons and re-entry.