Steve Worrall

 

Steve Worrall now leads 'Storehouse', a congregation and drop-in facility at St Alkmund's Church, Derby. Previously, he had 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 now I 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 release 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 mw 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.'

 

Reproduced courtesy of the Diocese of Derby

 

 

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