Harold Sawyer, a former Free Inside Alpha team leader encourages a friend to reach those in prison by joining a team of Alpha volunteers. Harold has moved to Los Angeles, California.

"I was with Peter Dewberry yesterday and talked about you. I would like to ask that you consider helping with the Alpha Program. They could really use a strong person like you in York. In my experience, it is one of the most effective tools Jesus uses in that environment.

Let me explain why.

As program leaders and facilitators we go in as Christian peers, not teachers. That changes the dynamics of the support and love we can give the inmates bringing something they rarely ever experience in prison. They are always subservient. As facilitators, we do keep order and occasionally have to tell someone that they are not being appropriate.  But Nicky Gumbel is the teacher on a video.  We make it a point to let the participants know that their feelings are just as valid as our's is.

The Alpha program covers basics of the Christian faith, in a systematic and practical way. It is easy to forget that most inmates don't even understand the basics. The program has been put together with much thought and prayer. It is informative and fun to watch. At the end of Alpha 1, they have received a clear presentation of what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

In some ways it is like very good marriage counseling before the wedding. To carry the wedding metaphor a little further, we pray for and encourage those who come on Alpha to make an informed decision to be united with Jesus Christ.

When the program is run correctly, you start with a joke (probably the only clean ones they hear) and a time of praise. We laugh a lot and they often learn for the first time that becoming a Christian is a happy, fun thing, as well as a sobering commitment. The structure of the program helps us keep things positive.  An oasis in that environment.

The best part of the program is group discussion after the videos.  This is one of the few times in their prison experience that they get the chance to discuss how they feel about a topic.  As they speak, the Holy Spirit helps them process whatever He is doing in their hearts.

Last but not least, the environment of Alpha is non-coercive.  People who have been turned off by manipulative evangelism are encouraged to sit back and think through the implications of a commitment to Jesus Christ. The focus is always on Jesus Christ.  They are prayed for and they become part of a loving Christian community. The Holy Spirit  does miracles in their hearts. Alpha volunteers work hard to foster a welcoming, positive happy and safe environment that enables participants to "Consider the Questions of Life."

God bless you.

Love,

Harold