Our family is friends with P.G. He comes from a very godly family with his father and maternal grandfather serving as evangelical pastors. About ten years ago, he lost his way and took drugs, having no education or career.
"I was just living, working, and spending time with friends and family. I was called a Christian but I did not live it. I always knew that there was more than just saying you are Christian just by words”, said P.G.
He went through seasons of estrangement from his family and was very confused. In February of 2012, I spoke with him at a family birthday; he was dissatisfied with his life, as he would soon be turning thirty with nothing to show for it. I asked if he would like to meet with me to pray and figure out how to get his life back on track.
We started meeting every week with some irregularity. In early September, we started in a celebrate recovery program, which is a Christian twelve step program). Then I invited him to ALPHA at the end of September.
“A friend of my sister asked me if I would like to go to ALPHA meetings. I said sure but really I was not too sure. The first time he gave me a ride from Santa Monica to Pasadena. The next time I took the subway and the bus. After that my mom gave me a ride to the subway. By the third time I attended ALPHA I was addicted to it,” said P.G.
After the fourth week we had a long conversation in the car about what we had learned so far in Alpha. At the end he asked, can I come to Jesus as I am before I change? I explained to him that is exactly right because the change will happen after not before. He prayed to invite Jesus into his heart that night by himself.
“I read the Bible and pray everyday, something I did not do before I did ALPHA. I prayed a special prayer after the fourth meeting before I went to sleep and praise The Lord ever since,” said P.G. P.G. and I continue to attend celebrate recovery meetings every week. He is also looking for a job and hoping to get back to college.
The journey is far from over but praise God for his amazing grace.
ALPHA is an eight-week course exploring key issues related to the Christian faith. Everyone is welcome! We start each evening with a home-cooked gourmet meal, where we have an opportunity to get to know one another and build relationships, ask questions and discuss topics connected to the Christian faith. All questions and opinions are welcomed and perspectives are valued. For more details visit alpha.lakeave.org.