An extraordinary journey (clockwise, from bottom left); Commander
Stevens at New Scotland Yard and on horseback at Tottenham
 Hotspurs FC; Reverend David Stevens - Holy Orders .

As a Commander in the UK Metropolitan Police Service, David Stevens’ focus was on ‘putting people away’. These days, he is helping to free prisoners - free as he sees it “to follow a new way of life. The way, the truth and the life of Jesus Christ.”

Today the Reverend David Stevens, an ordained member of the Anglican Church, is the National Coordinator for Alpha for Prisons in New Zealand.

The Alpha course is a practical introduction to the Christian faith designed for people who are looking for answers to questions about the meaning of life. It is for anyone, regardless of gender or background. It is normally run over a period of 15 weeks, although it can be presented over a shorter period.

In New Zealand, Alpha is coordinated by volunteers, who are selected from churches and trained by the Alpha organisation to help deliver the course through the Prison Chaplaincy.

David has found volunteers doing great things in bringing the Alpha course into our prisons. One example is the Anglican Parish of Christ Church in Wanganui, which has a long history of involvement in prison ministry, in partnership with the Chaplaincy service.

Teams of volunteers visit Wanganui Prison weekly to take Bible-based courses such as Alpha, ‘A Life Worth Living’ and ‘Challenging Lifestyles.’

During an Alpha course, one of the prisoners, Brian, became an evangelist in the unit - a task he undertook willingly, realising he would encounter all kinds of setbacks. His example had a great effect on others in his unit.

Late in 2006, Brian was released on home detention, into the care of one of the volunteers who had been part of the Alpha course. Brian continued to live with him until his home detention period was over in early 2007. With the support of the Prison Ministry Team from Christ Church parish, Brian was baptised in January 2007.

Brian said; “Baptism is amazing - to prove to myself that my walk with the Lord is real - and I hope it will be an inspiration to others. To know that a drug addict like me, who resorted to crimes of violence to support my crimes of dependency, can lay all this down through the forgiveness of the cross is truly amazing.”

With the help of volunteers, Brian approached several prospective employers to look for work.

His perseverance paid off when a local supermarket offered him a part-time job. Brian proved to be a hard-working and dependable employee and is now employed full-time at the supermarket.

   New life for old - Brian
Brian has since found a flat and is living a full and rewarding life as an active member of the Church. He belongs to a house group, assists with the Church Youth Group and greets people at the Church.

Brian’s success story is heartwarming and he acknowledges the support of working with the Prison Chaplaincy service through his release.

Brian’s successful transition from prison to the outside world continues to inspire and encourage the volunteers of the Prison Ministry Team as they see the value of their endeavours. Their part in supporting ‘new lives for old’ is acknowledged by Brian: “Each week the volunteers would look me in the eye, and greet me with a smile and a handshake. They made me feel as if I was a human being again.”

If you would like to find out more about volunteering and the Alpha course, please contact the National Alpha Office on (04) 477 3997 or email office@alpha.org.nz

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