A GROUP of Christians from Cradley Heath have received a special certificate at the end of a course based on their faith.

The worshippers from Cradley Heath were among almost 40 people from around the diocese presented with the certificate by the Bishop of Worcester, Dr John Inge.

It marked the completion of a course designed to help them relate their Christian faith to their own life and locality.

The groups took the Bishop’s Certificate course over 12 months which covered subjects such as Christian faith and the Creeds, the Old and New Testaments, Pentecost and the Holy Spirit, discipleship and living as Christians with people of other faiths.

Bishop John addressed the candidates before presenting them with their certificates.

He said: “This course is not just about learning facts for no reason, but about having the wisdom to understand how those facts affect our lives.

"I hope that what you have learnt has given you a thirst to know more as well as a true spirit of enlightenment about God’s love."

Brian Turner, a member of St Peter’s Church in West Bromwich, completed the course with the group in Cradley Heath.

He said: “I’ve been a Christian since the age of five, but felt I was lacking in my knowledge of scripture and wanted to understand more.

"The course was enlightening and I particularly enjoyed the practical sessions on symbolism and Christian art.

"Our group was also a real gift – people came from a range of different churches so there was a multitude of thoughts and views."