Discovering Christianity
My Faith: Steve Worrall
Steve outside St. Alkmund's Church, Derby
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Steve Worrall now
leads “Storehouse”,
a congregation and drop-in facility at St Alkmund’s Church,
Derby. Previously, he had led a life of crime. But his last
spell in prison was different…
“I was a burglar and I took and sold drugs,“ said
Steve. “I knew what I was doing was wrong, but I had
no sense of responsibility and because I had no experience
of love, I had no idea how to show love, even though I was
married with a couple of children.
“My last time in prison changed me. This was God’s
timing. I was in serious detox, in real pain because of withdrawal
symptoms from drugs. A man called Eddie visited me and said
there was nothing he could do but pray for me. I felt really
sorry for myself and after Eddie left I started talking to
myself, although I now realise I was talking to God, saying
how awful my life was and how I wanted things to change. I
went to sleep that night and when I woke up God had met me
in my brokenness. It was a miracle – I was healed of
my drug addiction and withdrawal effects.
“The psychiatrist came to see me and I said I didn’t
need any medication because I had met Jesus! I was able to
go back on the wing and started doing Bible studies with another
Christian. I regularly went to Chapel and became the Chapel
orderly – a second miracle.
“When I was released from prison I moved to Derby and
a couple from the church gave me somewhere to live and took
me to church. It sounds strange, but I could see colours again.
I was part of society. After three or four months I realised
that other people were genuinely pleased to see me when I came
to church – they really loved me.”
Steve now spends time with people who struggle with substance
abuse, or criminal activities, or are homeless for whatever
reason, and encourages them to belong to church.
Steve added, “It is important
to keep ties with the past so that I know what I have been
given and others can see
for themselves. It is not always about saying what Jesus has
done, but showing them.”
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