Alpha Campus lifts up students faith camp

May 28, 2015

By Rosemary Kong
“We need spiritual food when we are ‘hungry’. The Alpha course is one of the ways to fulfil our spiritual hunger.” Fr George Harrison said this in his speech to 118 guests who attended Campus Alpha 2015 at Holy Family Church. Held May 1-3, the course was in Bahasa Malaysia. All of the guests went through the course as well as the Alpha Global training. After the course and training, all of them were fired up to share their experiences and knowledge with their friends, new as well as old. Ten groups of students from various campuses were given the chance to share and plan their own Alpha Campus in their own respective groups of fellow campus members.

Students from twenty-one universities and colleges were involved in this programme. Thanks to Charles Eric George, the coordinator of the Alpha Campus and Caroline Soon, the Coordinator for Alpha in Catholic Context for Asia Pacific region who made this possible. The universities and colleges that participated in this programme were: National University of Malaysia (UKM), German Malaysian Institute (GMI), Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UniTeN), Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences (CUCMS), Kolej MeaTech, Linton University College, Malaysian France Institute (MFI), University of Malaya (UM), Institut Perguruan Guru Kampus Bahasa Antarabangsa (IPG KBA), Institut Perguruan Guru Kampus Pendidikan Teknik (IPG KPT), SEGi College, International Medical College (IMC), Universiti Kuala Lumpur – IPROM, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Kolej Universiti Islam Antarabangsa, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Asia Metropolitan University (AMU) and Saito College. Two universities from East Malaysia also joined the programme, namely University of Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak. What’s more, this programme also attracted high school students, SPM graduates and working youths.

To ensure that this programme ran smoothly, 23 committed committee members were given tasks as speakers, facilitators and other functions. In addition, Fr Justin Joanis SJ, Dr Jiloris F. Dony, as the Chairman of Bahasa Malaysia Apostolate in Holy Family Church, Pauline Pinso, and Arnold Dennis also gave their share of talks and training in this programme, for which we are thankful. We thank God for Fr John Gnanapiragasam, Fr David Ho, who flew all the way from Kapit, Sarawak, Fr Alberto Irenus, and Sr Margaret Pereira for their spiritual support from the beginning till the end of this programme. As Fr David Ho said, “Don’t fall for the spiritual trap set by others. Call and motivate each other to fight in Christ’s light for we are his very own hands, feet, and mouth. If it’s not us, then who?”

The guests were pleased with the content in the programme as it was different from any other programme they had participated in previously. They realized that the courses in this programme took account of the basics in Christian faith which is often overlooked. Therefore, many of them said that their knowledge about their faith had been renewed. This programme also strengthened their faith and belief in Jesus and the Church teachings. They were happy with the food served and were grateful that they joined this programme which was life changing. Julius Narus, from Linton University College, said that he could see the difference in this programme through the activities prepared which gave him the chance to share in his small group. He added that this programme was indeed free from stress.

Ericson Desik, a student of Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak, used to think that the faith of the Christian community in Peninsular Malaysia was weak. Afraid of being affected, he chose not to pursue his studies in Peninsular Malaysia. But he then changed his perception after experiencing the programme himself. He felt that the Christian community in Peninsular Malaysia, especially those who are from Borneo, really came together as one big happy family.

Dympna John, a working youth also shared her experience in this programme. At first, she was reluctant to join. She couldn’t fit all her belongings in her luggage when she was packing. When she reached HFCK, she was planning excuses to get away but she stayed on and finished the programme. By the end of it, she was thankful that God had given her the strength and touched her heart and soul. She could feel the wall in her heart breaking piece by piece during the Ministry session, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Fr George Harrison said that each of us carries baggage in our life which we unknowingly bring to the programme. It is through programmes, such as Alpha, that we can share our problems and find comfort amongst friends.

Another working youth, Elzo Lawrence, shared his experience as this was his first time joining Alpha. He was enriched by the Speakers. He realized that every one of us has our own strengths in serving the Lord. He was touched and cried during the Prayer session as he was prayed over using only verses in the Holy Bible.

Josephine Mathilda, from the Institusi Pendidikan Guru Kampus Bahasa Antarabangsa, who has joined this programme for the second time, shared her testimony. This programme has made her realize the importance of the bond of friendship. She got the chance to delve deeper into her faith, as a Christian, and also mentioned that the food was great.

Karltwin Kerol, from UniKL-IPROM, gave his testimony about the Prayer session where he could feel the Holy Spirit flowing in him for the first time in his life and he also received the gift of tongues.

Lastly, Fr George Harrison mentioned that it is not the end of Alpha Campus. Just like the two apostles who travelled to Emmaus, all of us are on our own journey with our baggage. We may experience grief, suffering, and hope. Jesus Christ has come to us and changed everything. Thus, walk the talk, “Go and bring back the lost lamb! Amen!” said Fr George.