Bethel Evangelical Church, Clydach
Wednesday 11 December, 7:00pm
Prayer and Bible Study (Mark Barnes)
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Billy Burns’s story

We’ve invited Christians from all over the country to visit Bethel and share their own stories with us. Billy Burns visited us in June 2009 and told us this story.

He tried to kill me — but when I met him, I liked him

The 6 April 1983 was the day that changed Billy’s life. He’d been called to an armed bank robbery, and had been chasing the robbers in a high-speed pursuit through the streets of Bristol. Then the car the robbers were driving crashed. As Billy cautiously approached the vehicle, his world was suddenly turned upside down.

“The bullet hit me just under the lip, sheared off my teeth, went through my tongue into my throat. It physically lifted me clean off the ground and knocked me unconscious.”

As Billy lay fighting for his life, his attacker — teenager, Stephen Korsa-Acquah — hijacked two other vehicles before being caught on the M4. Eventually he was given three life sentences for attempted murder. But for Billy, rebuilding his life did not mean simply trying to forget his attackers. Instead, he sent them a Christmas card.

“In our Christian faith we believe in forgiveness and letting go, not holding grudges. I was very grateful to be still alive.”

The card certainly made an impact on Stephen. He took some time to come to terms with his crimes. Eventually he realised his punishment was a legacy of his own actions and something he had to deal with. He knew part of that meant saying sorry for his earlier crimes. So he contacted the prison chaplain, and asked if he could get a letter back to Billy, apologising, and asking to meet him. Billy readily agreed, but with mixed emotions. “I had no issues with forgiving him, that was the very essence of my Christian faith. Forgiveness is not about condoning or justifying someone’s actions, but it releases you from what can actually be a very cancerous bitterness.

“When I got to the prison, I was anxious about his character — whether I would like him or dislike him; which way this was going to go. But I liked him — it appeared that he was genuine… It’s seeing people for what they are.”

Over the following years Billy visited Stephen often in prison, and eventually supported his application for parole. Stephen now works with young people encouraging them away from lives of violence.

“It’s so satisfying to see him moving on. Bearing in mind I come from a police background, it’s good to feel I’ve done something to help that happen.”

Billy’s life has also taken off in directions he didn’t expect. He’s appeared on television and radio, with Esther Rantzen, John Snow, Michael Buerk and John McCarthy. “It’s not a one-way thing. Stephen has contributed to my quality of life, he’s a true friend.”

Billy Burns’s story is unique, but that experience of God’s care and life-changing power is something that we in Bethel can certainly relate to. God is still at work. All around the world — and even in Clydach — He is changing lives for the better. Why not find out for yourself what God can do?
Prayer and Bible Study
Each Wednesday at 7:00pm we meet together for a bible study, and to pray. The bible studies are led by our pastor, Mark, or one of the other members of the church, and the prayer time is open to everyone.
More about Prayer and Bible Study…

What’s on this week

  • Tuesday 10th December
    • 2:00pm Oasis
    • 6:00pm Winter Wonderland Trip (Impact) at
  • Wednesday 11th December
    • 7:00pm Prayer and Bible Study (Mark Barnes)
  • Sunday 15th December
    • 10:30am Sunday Morning Service (Mark Barnes)
    • 6:00pm Sunday Evening Service (Mark Barnes)

Connect with us

Latest news

  • Carol singing at @CoopClydach with @ChrisPavett and Calvary Church! [link], on 17 December, 2016

Recent sermons

  • The Authority of Jesus on December 8, 2019.
  • Nourish Our Children on December 8, 2019.
  • He bore our sorrows on December 1, 2019.
  • Children Obey Your Parents on December 1, 2019.
  • You Must Be Born Again on November 24, 2019.

 Bethel Evangelical Church, Heol-y-nant, Clydach     Tel: 01792 828095     Registered charity: 1142690