Alpha for Prisons

A combined Prison GAT team from St Aldates, Oxford, St Marks Battersea Rise and HTB joined forces to deliver a 2 day Alpha for Prisons training in Vilnius which is the capital of Lithuania.  55 people attended the Prison GAT, the aim of which was to train prison chaplains and volunteers to run Alpha for Prisons courses in at least 6 prisons on a rolling basis.

The delegates were very inspired by the UK team who interwove their talks with stories of lives changed from their Alpha for Prisons courses.  I was particularly inspired by one of the team who during the final talk, touched each of the delegates on their shoulder and identified the particular gifts they had and could contribute towards running Alpha for Prisons courses and helping ex-offenders.  One could sense the level of expectancy and hope rise.

We also had the privilege of speaking on Radio Maria for 40 minutes with stories of changed lives through Alpha for Prisons and Caring for Ex-offenders.  On the last day, we were invited to visit the prison hospital in Kaunas.  The head of security attended the GAT, and took us around the prison.  We had the opportunity to meet with 25 prisoners, manyof whom have TB, to share our testimonies and pray with them.  There was a sense of sadness and despair in the prison and it was physically very cold, but as we prayed and chatted with them, hope rose. 

The team thoroughly enjoyed their stay in the very heart of the city in a monastery facing the main Cathedral, and for the hospitality of the local team.   One of the team members who was Lithuanian, but is now living in London, said, “We had an intensive program, but at the same time, we had much fun.  One of our team was very concerned yesterday thinking that it would be difficult to explain to people back at home how much fun we had!  God has blessed us with unity, productivity, safety, wisdom and definitely favor”

Frances Ryan
Alpha for Prisons Relationship Manager