Epiphany Moments and Slow-Cooked Faith: Why Alpha Could Change Your Life

Not everyone gets a lightning-bolt moment of faith—but everyone can discover truth and friendship. Here’s why.

Epiphany: The Moment That Changed Everything

I’m one of those people! I’ve had an epiphany—a moment that changed everything. A road-to-Damascus experience! For years, I assumed everyone had something similar. But after a few decades, I realised people like me are rare.

It happened at a Christian conference in the UK’s beautiful Lake District. We’d played crazy golf and rowed on the gentle waters of Lake Derwent, listening to the soft slip-slop of water against the hull. I even broke the course record in crazy golf—nobody had ever needed so many shots! It was raining, of course. We’d had (or were about to have) chips with curry sauce. We’d played tennis, football, rounders—you name it. The streets teemed with people my age, all here for the same event. I’d joked with boys, blushed while talking to girls, and—best of all—the family tent was unusually watertight this year.

But despite the holiday spirit, I wasn’t feeling buoyant. I was having fun with people who were so full of life, yet their behaviour challenged me. The jokes I told were the ones I’d picked up at school, complete with the sneer that made me feel grubby next to my new friends. Their humour and kindness were joyful—and I wanted in! Deep down, I knew the life I was living didn’t match my claim to follow Jesus. I believed in Him. I knew He was the real deal. But He didn’t shine in me the way He shone in them.

So there I was, sitting in a meeting tent. I’d ditched my family and most of my friends to get a seat. Our clothes steamed from the rain. Only David Dowsett was with me—my friend-for-one-week-a-year. Small guy, big hoarse voice.

The service began, and a song I loved started up. Over the crowd, I could hear David’s vegetable-grater voice belting out:“Here I am, wholly available. As for me, I will serve the Lord.”

Those words hit me like a thunderclap. They asked a question straight to my soul:“Howard, are you available to serve the Lord?”

And my answer came, clear as day:“What else would I do?”

In that moment, I knew the rest of my life would be in church ministry. I knew I’d lead a church. I’d do whatever “serving the Lord” meant. And I’ve never changed my mind.

Something else happened too—something stranger. Teenage boy, sitting next to his teenage mate, started to cry. I tried so hard to hide it from David. (I don’t care now, but I did then!)

I think that qualifies as an epiphany. Because that’s what I do now: I lead a church. I help people meet Jesus. I want others to experience that wonder. But here’s what I’ve learned: with or without a big, beautiful, life-changing moment, people can know Jesus powerfully.

Why Alpha Matters

As the Alpha season approaches—that time of year when churches dust off their slow cookers and put the baked potatoes on low—we’re reminded that most people cook as slowly as the sausage casserole (week six!). People thrive in the discovery process Alpha provides: the gentle revelation of truth, with time to think, discuss, and question—all in the warmth of friendship.

And I know that over the course of this autumn, people will find both friendship and truth.

Looking back to those wet and wonderful weeks where I discovered Jesus, I recognise it wasn’t just the “Here I am” moment. Of course, it was the friends—people whose lives showed what they believed. That was very attractive. This year, as many of us run ourselves ragged in kitchens and admin, stretching our tech teams and musicians with the rigours of running an Alpha Course well, let’s remember this beautiful, compelling reality: the lives of people who want Jesus become the best friends anyone can have. To combine the love of a friend with the passion to discover truth can—and will—have eternal results.

http://eldadchurch.org.gg/alpha