| Good news on the streets |
 “God was always in the background, but I just didn’t know him,” explains Alan Offord of Falmouth. “I was 18 when God became real to me. “I was leading a scout camp. At night, it was hurtling down rain and thundering. All I could think was, ‘How am I going to lead the scout camp if the weather is like this?’ I was literally shaking with fear. “My mind went back to somebody who was once preaching. He told how his wife had been poorly for six years and bedridden for the last three years of her life. But then he said, ‘If I didn’t know Christ’s presence, I couldn’t have survived.’ “It seemed a good idea to ask for help. I got out of my sleeping bag. When I got out, I was still physically shivering. I knelt and cried, saying, ‘Jesus, I need your help.’ Instantly, a great peace came over me, as if Jesus had calmed the storm.” Then four years passed. “I’m a slow learner,” Alan says. But he continues, “I was at a church service when the minister took the bread for communion and said Jesus’ words, ‘This is my body.’ That hit home so powerfully, it was as if Jesus was in front of me, tapping me on the shoulder. For the first time in my life, I knew Jesus died for me. “Several years later, I realised I’d done my best to lead the Christian life and failed. I cried out to God, ‘This isn’t going to work unless you fill me with your Holy Spirit.’ That night I experienced such a presence that I’ve never been the same since.” Today Alan is an preacher with OAC Ministries (Open Air Campaigners). Alan leads a team which holds after school  children’s clubs for six schools. Fun and Bible teaching blend together with social skills and confidence-building. In July, a beach barbeque attracted over 100 people. Mainly geared to end of term school leavers, their families also were invited. “It’s good to relate to the parents and for them to get to know us,” says Alan. “We are in regular contact with over 130 children from the clubs in the area. Many come from broken homes and are deprived of stable family backgrounds. These individuals feel hurt and vulnerable so even coming to a barbeque with others is a big step.” He tells people about Jesus because God spoke to him through a dream about heaven. In his dream a man, who was not allowed into heaven, came to him and asked, “Why didn’t you tell me?” “That’s why I do what I do,” says Alan. |
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