Celebrating All That God Has Done Through Alpha
WRITTEN BY lisa adams
It has been such a joy and privilege to witness all that God has been doing through Alpha this year. Week after week, we have seen lives transformed, faith awakened and people encountering Jesus in deeply personal and life-changing ways. It has been a wonderful reminder that God is still moving, still calling people to Himself and still changing lives today.
Over the past year, we have run four Alpha courses, including the launch of our very first daytime Alpha. This created a new opportunity to invite friends from the Food Centre, as well as making Alpha accessible to those unable to attend an evening course. Across all our courses, 62 guests came through our doors to ask questions, build friendships and explore life, faith and the person of Jesus.
It has been especially encouraging to see a growing number of 18–30-year-olds joining Alpha, with people from a wide variety of backgrounds coming together with genuine questions and open hearts.
One of the most exciting things we've witnessed is how quickly God has been at work. Many guests made the decision to follow Jesus as early as Week Three, and our discussion groups naturally developed into Bible studies alongside the remaining Alpha sessions as people became eager to grow in their new-found faith.
One lady shared during Week Four: "I've never read a book before, but I can't put the Bible down... and I understand it." What a beautiful reminder that when God opens hearts, He also opens minds to understand His truth.
We've also seen many guests desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit and take the next step of baptism. During one Holy Spirit Day, a ten-year-old girl who attended with her mum asked if she could invite Jesus into her life – a wonderful reminder that God's invitation is for every generation!
Our spring Alpha saw a couple of young adults invite their friends, eventually filling an entire table with 18–30-year-olds – all of whom gave their lives to Jesus. We've also seen the ripple effect of a simple invitation, with one lady bringing five others to church within just five weeks. These stories remind us never to underestimate the power of simply saying, "Would you like to come with me?"
Alongside these stories of salvation, we have also seen God's faithfulness in countless other ways. Prayers have been answered, people have experienced physical and emotional healing, relationships have been restored, and we've heard testimonies of financial provision, new homes and employment. Time and again, these stories point to God's goodness, faithfulness and loving care.
We are so grateful for all that God has done through Alpha this year, and we want to say a heartfelt thank you to every member of the Alpha team. Whether you welcomed guests, prepared food, led discussions, washed up, prayed behind the scenes or simply offered a listening ear, your faithfulness and willingness to serve have helped create a place where people have encountered Jesus.
Thank you, too, to everyone who has invited a friend, neighbour, colleague or family member to Alpha. Many of the testimonies we've celebrated this year started because one person simply had the courage to extend an invitation.
Our next Alpha Course begins on Wednesday 30th September, and we'd love the whole church to begin praying now about who God may be leading you to invite – and, even better, to bring along with you.
"Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well."
1 Thessalonians 2:8
Over the past year, we have run four Alpha courses, including the launch of our very first daytime Alpha. This created a new opportunity to invite friends from the Food Centre, as well as making Alpha accessible to those unable to attend an evening course. Across all our courses, 62 guests came through our doors to ask questions, build friendships and explore life, faith and the person of Jesus.
It has been especially encouraging to see a growing number of 18–30-year-olds joining Alpha, with people from a wide variety of backgrounds coming together with genuine questions and open hearts.
One of the most exciting things we've witnessed is how quickly God has been at work. Many guests made the decision to follow Jesus as early as Week Three, and our discussion groups naturally developed into Bible studies alongside the remaining Alpha sessions as people became eager to grow in their new-found faith.
One lady shared during Week Four: "I've never read a book before, but I can't put the Bible down... and I understand it." What a beautiful reminder that when God opens hearts, He also opens minds to understand His truth.
We've also seen many guests desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit and take the next step of baptism. During one Holy Spirit Day, a ten-year-old girl who attended with her mum asked if she could invite Jesus into her life – a wonderful reminder that God's invitation is for every generation!
Our spring Alpha saw a couple of young adults invite their friends, eventually filling an entire table with 18–30-year-olds – all of whom gave their lives to Jesus. We've also seen the ripple effect of a simple invitation, with one lady bringing five others to church within just five weeks. These stories remind us never to underestimate the power of simply saying, "Would you like to come with me?"
Alongside these stories of salvation, we have also seen God's faithfulness in countless other ways. Prayers have been answered, people have experienced physical and emotional healing, relationships have been restored, and we've heard testimonies of financial provision, new homes and employment. Time and again, these stories point to God's goodness, faithfulness and loving care.
We are so grateful for all that God has done through Alpha this year, and we want to say a heartfelt thank you to every member of the Alpha team. Whether you welcomed guests, prepared food, led discussions, washed up, prayed behind the scenes or simply offered a listening ear, your faithfulness and willingness to serve have helped create a place where people have encountered Jesus.
Thank you, too, to everyone who has invited a friend, neighbour, colleague or family member to Alpha. Many of the testimonies we've celebrated this year started because one person simply had the courage to extend an invitation.
Our next Alpha Course begins on Wednesday 30th September, and we'd love the whole church to begin praying now about who God may be leading you to invite – and, even better, to bring along with you.
"Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well."
1 Thessalonians 2:8