An Atheist at Cambridge
Nicky Gumbel, born on April 28, 1955, in London, England, grew up in a household where faith was not central. His father, Walter Gumbel, was a German Jew who fled Nazi persecution, and his mother, Muriel, was a barrister with a nominal Christian background. Educated at Eton College and Trinity College, Cambridge, Nicky was a 'very argumentative atheist' during his younger years, viewing Christians with skepticism.
A Turning Point in Faith
However, during his first year at Cambridge in 1974, Nicky encountered a turning point that would redefine his life. As his friends embraced Christianity, Nicky's curiosity was piqued. He began to explore various faiths, ultimately picking up the New Testament. While reading, he experienced a profound moment: 'As I read about Jesus, it was as if the person I was reading about emerged from the pages. I had an encounter with Him.' This encounter with Jesus filled the emptiness he once felt, bringing meaning and purpose to his life.
Initially hesitant, thinking that Christianity would end his enjoyment of life, Nicky realized that his fears were unfounded. Instead, his relationship with Jesus transformed him, influencing his relationships and every part of his life positively. After graduating in Law in 1976 and briefly practicing as a barrister, Nicky felt a calling to ministry. By 1983, he was studying theology at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, and was ordained in 1986.
Nicky's journey led him to Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB), where in 1990 he took over the Alpha Course. Under his leadership, Alpha was reimagined to reach those outside the Church, inviting people to explore life's big questions and faith in God. The course's impact grew globally, including in Canada, where the Alpha Canada National Office was established in New Westminster, B.C., in 1998.
Nicky's vision for Alpha is ambitious: to make it accessible to everyone on the planet by 2033, marking the 2,000th anniversary of Jesus' resurrection. His journey from skeptic to pioneer of faith demonstrates the transformative power of Jesus. As Nicky reflected, 'I was an atheist and I came to experience a relationship with God which had a radically transforming effect on my life, on my relationships, on every aspect of my life, for the better.'
