Archbishop Justin Welby

Justyn Rees Larcombe

The head of the Church of England, Justin Welby, The Archbishop of Canterbury, visited The Recovery Course on Tuesday 30th October 2018. His visit, to the Recovery Course at Tonbridge Baptist Church, was organised by the Diocese of Rochester as part of their Hope Campaign where they partnered up with a small number of charities in Kent delivering hope in the community.

The Archbishop heard testimony from the group and then spoke very movingly on his own experience of addiction having grown up the adopted son of an alcoholic mother. His words on confession and forgiveness were particularly relevant as the group were working on Step 4 and 5. Justin Welby joined in small group discussion with the two men’s groups, two women’s groups and the Recovery Support Group before he left..

The course was founded by Nigel Skelsey during his time at Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB is a prominent Anglican Church in London and the church who founded Alpha – for those of you who might not know!). Nigel and his wife Jan met with The Archbishop and it was reassuring to know he was aware of the course and its growth across the UK and wider afield.

"Light Transforms our understanding, confession is how we turn on the light."