Real Stories of impact across Africa
Story Highlight
Ariel’s Story
In the heart of Woodstock, Cape Town, one young man’s search for meaning led him to the brink of despair—but also to hope. After being abandoned by his father and left to survive on the streets, he wrestled with deep questions about faith, identity, and purpose.
His journey led him to Alpha, where he found a space to ask questions, be heard, and discover a faith that changed everything. Finding new life in Jesus, his story is a powerful testimony of restoration, community, and hope.
Watch as he shares his incredible transformation—from feeling unseen and unloved to finding a family, purpose, and a reason to live.
Real Stories from Alpha in Africa
These are stories of curiosity turning into faith, isolation giving way to community, and questions leading to transformation. Whether it happened in a church, a prison, a college campus, or online, each story is a reminder of what’s possible when we create space for honest conversations about life and faith.
Fabian’s Story
Fabian grew up on the street of Lagos, Nigeria. After a street fight that led to someone’s death, he ended up in prison. Watch what happened next.
Debora’s Story
“If this God of yours just wants me to go to church and is so insecure that He doesn’t want to be questioned, then I really want nothing to do with Him…” Debora told her mother.
Xola’s Story
“I used to think that God was not for me but for other people.” Xola shares his transformation from gang life to finding a new way of living.
Thanda’s Story
From an early age, Thanda was trapped in a life of gang violence, in and out of prison. But that’s where he encountered Jesus. “The manner in which the gospel was carried over to me through Alpha – it meant something to me. It was exciting. It was fresh. It was something to look forward to every week.”
Marlon’s Story
Divorced and disillusioned, Marlon had lost hope until he returned to church and attended Alpha. “In this Alpha course, I met Jesus… And I said, ‘We need to do this again, we need to get more involved with this!’ We ended up doing it in prisons and it’s there where I really realised I want to fill every space of my life up with Jesus.”
Irene’s Story
Hitting rock bottom in prison, Irene was ready to end it all when God intervened in the most remarkable way. She shares the moving story of her imprisonment, restoration and the hope she’s found in new life in Jesus after doing the Alpha course in prison.
Emmanuel’s Story
Emmanuel’s extraordinary story of finding forgiveness in prison after the Rwandan genocide.
Philip’s Story
Facing challenges to living out his faith at college, Philip discovered Alpha as a simple, non-judgmental tool to foster conversations that go deeper than studies, football and girls. This led to deeper and more meaningful relationships in so many life-giving ways.
Corne’s Story
Hitting rock bottom in prison, Irene was ready to end it all when God intervened in the most remarkable way. She shares the moving story of her imprisonment, restoration and the hope she’s found in new life in Jesus after doing the Alpha course in prison.
Moses’ Story
Moses grew up collecting food at a rubbish dump, eventually ending up in and out of prison, until a local leader started discipling him. As his life changed, he started discipling those around him through Alpha and seeing his community change as well.
Simon’s Story
In his mid-twenties Simon was living in Johannesburg, working in the marketing industry and battling an addiction to drugs. After an argument, his girlfriend happened to drive past a church that was about to start an Alpha course. With a desire to help him, and as a last resort, his girlfriend (now wife) invited him to join her on Alpha. During Alpha, Simon encountered Jesus and his life was radically transformed.
John’s Story
John has a beaming smile, a slight frame, and a youthful face. He is only 23, after all, but his ease and joy would never give away the experiences of his former years. From the ghettos of Kenya, to a life of crime on the streets of Nairobi, it was with a gun held to his head that he received his second chance.
Tatenda’s Story
Growing up in Zimbabwe, Tatenda struggled with peer pressure, addiction, and the need to fit in. At just 14, he turned to drugs to escape feelings of emptiness and depression. It was in prison that he was confronted with the reality of his life. In the midst of reflection and regret, he was introduced to Alpha—and it changed everything. Through Alpha, Tatenda found a path to faith, freedom, and transformation. No longer enslaved to addiction, he discovered that Jesus could fill the emptiness he once tried to escape.
Steve & Praise’s Story
At International Christian Centre Nairobi, Kenya, Ps Praise & Rev Steve are passionate about reaching young people with the message of hope and transformation. When they first started Alpha, they had no idea the impact it would have—not just on their youth ministry, but on the entire community. From powerful Holy Spirit encounters to seeing teenagers say “yes” to Jesus, Alpha has been a game-changer. Watch as they share the incredible ways God is moving through Alpha and how it has strengthened their faith and ministry.
Ben’s Story
Ben grew up going to church to be good before God, but his reality was drugs, alcohol and a lack of peace. Until he encountered Jesus on Alpha…
