More about Alpha

So last fall I volunteered to help out behind the scenes at the Alpha course at our local church here in Oxford, and these last six weeks in 2013 I've been a group leader for a second Alpha course.

In case you don't know much about the Alpha course, you can click here - http://www.alpha.org/ - and learn more. It was developed to create a safe, non-threatening space for people to come and explore life's big questions about faith. God has used this course in powerful ways to meet people across the globe who are looking for answers and beginning to search for more in life through Jesus.

This course has been a joy to serve as group leader and I am thankful for the new friends I have made. We have had some honest and challenging conversations about Jesus, the Bible, the church, evil, and the cross and resurrection. Several came with doubts and skepticism (and some still have questions), but several are now beginning to believe. It is exciting to see the Lord moving in their lives!

Because the school term is almost over, this version of Alpha was shortened to only six weeks. We finished on Tuesday night, but I don't see it as the end, but rather as a new beginning for these new friends. Even though we might not meet weekly to discuss spiritual matters at the church like we have been, several are committed to getting together regularly and building these new friendships.

Here's a few stealth photos I took (I didn't want to arouse suspicion) during our Alpha Saturday a few weeks ago:

 

Listening to teaching about the Holy Spirit.

 

Spending some time in worship.

 

The Lord touched several of my friends' lives during the prayer and ministry times.

Our post-lunch walk around one of the parks in Oxford.

 

Having worked in a Christian environment the last 12 years, I had realized how difficult it was to build relationships with non-believers. Participating in Alpha, however, has given me the opportunity to meet more folks who are searching. It has not always been easy in conversations because I wanted each person to feel heard and understood in their viewpoints, even if I didn't always agree with them. It has been a lesson in trusting the Holy Spirit to work in their lives and not trying to give all the answers myself.

 

I trust and belive that Jesus will meet each of these friends where they are in His timing, and it has been exciting to walk with them on this part of their journey. We'll see what happens next!