UPCOMING DATES:

Alpha begins for the Winter, Monday, January 14, 2007, 6:30 PM

Please see the Events Calendar for more information 

ALPHA — What Does It Mean?

Alpha is an exciting program where the message of Jesus’ Gospel is presented accurately and in its entirety. Participants of this free course get together to share their views about Christianity in a non-threatening environment.

The acronym ALPHA stands for:

Anyone interested in finding out more about the Christian faith. Adults of all ages are welcome.
Learning and laughter. It is possible to learn about the Christian faith and to have fun at the same time.
People meeting together. An opportunity to get to know others and to make new friends.
Helping one another. The small groups give you a chance to discuss issues raised during the talks.
Ask anything. Alpha is a place where no question is seen as too simple or too hostile.

ALPHA — How Did It Start?

There is today a new interest in the Christian faith, and more specifically in the person of Jesus. Many are asking questions: Was He merely a man, or is He the Son of God? If He is, what are the implications for our everyday lives?

The ALPHA Course features a unique presentation, with each lesson incorporating a video followed by a small group discussion. Each participant has an amazing opportunity to share their views, ask the tough questions, and build relationships with other people who also want to learn more about Jesus.

The program started at Holy Trinity Brompton in the UK in the early 1990s, and now more than 10,000 ALPHA courses are now running across 72 countries. Hundreds more register each month as church leaders from all denominations report the astonishing impact the course has had on non-churchgoers and existing Christians in their areas. And it's spreading fast to many secular locations — prisons, businesses, and schools.

ALPHA — What Does the Course Cover?

Rev. Nicky Gumbel appears on a video filmed during an actual run of the ALPHA Course. He illustrates his message with stories, jokes, historical facts and Bible scriptures. We cover topics such as:

• Christianity: Boring, Untrue or Irrelevant?
• Who is Jesus?
• Why did Jesus die?
• Why and how should I read the Bible?
• Why and how do I pray?
• What about the Holy Spirit?
• Does God heal today?
• How can I overcome evil?
• Why and how should I tell others?
• How can I make the most of the rest of my life?

ALPHA — What Happens During the Meeting?

A typical meeting would go something like this:

6:30pm - Guests arrive and are immediately treated to a gourmet dinner prepared by the Coastal Alpha team.
7:30pm - Live music and video presentations take place.
8:40pm - Participants break in to small group for open-ended discussion.
9:15pm - The evening winds up.