Why not try Alpha?
The start of the year is a great time to run an Alpha Course and quite a few of our churches are doing just that in January and February.
Here, some of our leaders share their experience of Alpha, a valuable tool that’s used by Christians all around the globe.
Revd Mervyn Jamison, Minister in Charge at Holy Trinity Ballylesson says:
“Alpha has a way of explaining the basics of the Christian faith in simple yet moving way. It also gives people the opportunity to ask those questions that have held them back or confused them. However not everyone responds to the simple message of the Gospel and that’s ok! I’m still very close to a number of friends who still differ in opinion. Alpha doesn’t frighten people into the ‘Kingdom’. It simply lays the facts before them.
“I have run Alphas in churches but have got a better response by running it in a neutral Venue. On the first occasion, Comber Churches Together ran it above McBrides Pub in the Square. We had a bit of opposition but our response was to ask them, ‘Where did Jesus meet people’?
“The church plant I was involved with in Moneyreagh also ran Alpha in the ‘Auld House’. From that first course the church grew three home groups and it also raised the profile of the church in the village.”
Holy Trinity Ballylesson’s Alpha begins on Wednesday 6 February at 7.30 pm in Cameron’s Café and Deli.
Revd Jim Cheshire, rector of Ballybeen, has run Alpha in Holywood and Bangor. Jim says:
“Alpha is a great course for helping ‘seekers’ and ‘regulars’ alike to grapple with the basics of the Christian faith in a safe, non–threatening environment. The course not only offers learning, but also crucially the chance to discuss questions participants may have about the given topics. Over the years, people who have done Alpha have often commented that the Alpha Course was the catalyst that brought them to the point of encountering Christ for themselves or experiencing the reality of the Holy Spirit in their lives.”
Ballybeen’s Alpha begins on Sunday 17 February 17 at 7.00 pm in St Mary’s.
Jim Fleming is a pioneering evangelist working in Killicomaine, Portadown. He ran Alpha last term. “We had a team of six helpers and, after a full leaflet drop around the estate before the course started, fourteen guests arrived on the first evening!” he says.
“One lady came to faith and the group developed strong bonds during the course, so much so that they approached us as to ‘what happens next?’ We thought and prayed about it and on 8 January we started an ‘After Alpha’; studying the ‘Jesus Lifestyle’ by Nicky Gumbel.
“The vast majority have returned and have been joined by a few others. The course runs over sixteen sessions and we also plan to continue meeting beyond that as we have the Community Centre booked until the end of June.
“Anyone in the area who would like to join us and deepen their walk with Jesus will be made very welcome.”
(Tuesday evenings in Killicomaine Jubilee Community Centre, 32a Festival Rd, Portadown BT63 5HE at 7.00 pm.)
Other Alphas coming up or already running in the diocese
Bangor ParishBeginning Sunday 3 February in Ground Espresso Coffee Shop in Bangor.
Church on the Hill, MaghaberryFriday nights at Church on the Hill at 7.45 pm (began 18 January)
Shankill LurganTuesday nights at 6.30 pm in Café Incredable at the Jethro Centre (began 15 January)
WillowfieldAlpha AM – Thursdays at 11.00 am – this one has Creche facilities available.
Alpha – Thursdays at 8.00 pm
Both taking place in Willowfield Church (began 17 January)
Find out more at www.alpha.org