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Looking
for answers? The Alpha course is an opportunity
for anyone to explore the Christian faith
in a relaxed, non-threatening manner over
ten, thought-provoking weekly sessions.
Alpha is for everyone, especially:
- Those
wanting to investigate Christianity
- New
Christians
- Newcomers
to the church
- Those
who want to brush up on the basics
Over
10 million people worldwide have now attended an Alpha course,
an opportunity to explore the meaning of life, running in tens
of thousands of churches of all denominations across the world.
Alpha
is a 15-session practical introduction to the Christian faith.
It's aimed especially at people who don't go to church and was
established at Holy Trinity Brompton over twenty years ago.
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A
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NYONE
INTERESTED. |
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in
finding out more about the Christian
faith can be invited on this ten
week introduction designed for non-churchgoers
and new Christians. It can also be
used as a refresher course for mature
Christians. |
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L
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EARNING
AND LAUGHTER . |
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It
is based around a series of 15 talks
which tacke the key questions at
the heart of the Christian faith.
These can be given by a leader or
there are video/audio tapes available
if the group is small. We believe
it is possible to learn about the
Christian fiath and have a lot of
fun at the same time. Laughter and
fun are a key part of the course,
breaking down barriers and enabling
everyone to relax together. |
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P
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ASTA
AND PUDDING. |
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It
is important that the course is held
in a welcoming environment. Eating
together gives people the chance
to get to know each other and to
develop Christian friendships. |
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H
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ELPING
ONE ANOTHER. |
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The
small groups give each person a chance
to participate and help each other
along the way, as they discuss, study
the Bible and pray for each other.
For the helpers themselves the course
provides new Christians with an opportunity
to help bring others to faith. People
often come back and help on the next
course or bring their friends along
to see what it's all about. |
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SK
ANYTHING. |
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Alpha
is a place where no question is regarded
as too simple or too hostile. People
are given a chance to raise their
questions and discuss relevant topics
in small groups after the talk. |
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Alpha
is being run by churches of every different
denomination, including Anglican, Baptist,
Presbyterian, Methodist, Pentecostal, Salvation
Army, Catholic, Free Church and House Churches.
Wherever the course is being held, all churches
provide the same material, making alterations
only to suit local culture.
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Alpha
for Youth
 There
are now hundreds of churches, youth clubs
and schools around the world running the
course. Specially-designed manuals for
Alpha for Youth have been developed for
two age groups - 'Youth' 11-14 years and
'Older Youth and Students' 15-18 years.
The syllabus is the same as the main Alpha
course - based on the book Questions of
Life - and the leaders' manual gives guidelines
on how to communicate the course to youngsters.
Alpha for Youth is most successful when
it's part of an on-going Alpha programme
- the best leaders are those who've been
involved with the main Alpha course in
their churches.
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Alpha
for Students
 Over
the past three years we have seen that
the Alpha course is just as effective
in reaching university students as it
is in the local community.
As
a result, Alpha for Students courses are
now running in nearly 74% of the universities
in the UK and in universities in 32 countries
internationally.
Many different groups are using Alpha
as their main tool of evangelism for reaching
students. Those already running courses
include; Christian unions, chaplains,
student organisations, local churches
and individual students themselves.
It is a simple and effective way of presenting
the gospel in a clear non-threatening
manner. Key to the course is the small
group discussion at the end of the evening.
Relationships are formed and trust is
built up, giving students an open forum
to discuss the relevance of Jesus in today's
student culture.
The structure of the Alpha course appeals
to students.
The university years promote listening,
thinking, discussing and questioning and
Alpha gives them the opportunity to explore
the Christian faith in this way, whilst
also meeting new people.
The following aspects of the course are
particularly relevant for students:
- A
factual, thought-provoking talk
- Small
discussion groups
- Meeting
other students
- Good
food!
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Alpha
for Prisons
 Alpha
for Prisons has been running
since 1995. The course,
offering attendees a 15
session introduction to
the Christian faith and
usually run over 10 weeks,
is running in 85% of UK
prisons and also in the
prisons of 40 countries
world-wide.
Chaplains and volunteers
run the course in the prisons,
where it is making a significant
impact, changing attitudes
and lifestyles of the many
thousands of participants.
More than 21,000 men and
women have completed an
Alpha course in prison
in the last seven years.
'Alpha
is making a valuable
contribution
to the spiritual
life of our prisons
and has helped
many make the
change to a new
life free of
crime and drugs.
The role of church
communities beyond
the prison gates
in support of
newly released
prisoners and
reaching within
to touch lives
through Alpha
is vital. My
heartfelt thanks
to all involved,
and my prayerful
best wishes for
the future of
the work.'
The Rt Hon Paul
Boateng, former
UK Minister for
Prisons |
Our
vision is for the re-evangelisation
of the nations and the
transformation of society.
We aim to do this by:
- Giving
every person in prison
the opportunity to
attend an Alpha Course;
- Linking
prisoners who have
completed Alpha with
a supportive church
prior to their release;
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Integrating ex-offenders
into the life of the
community, providing
them with:
- a
person to meet
them on release
from the prison
gate
-
basic needs;
clothing, food,
etc.
- accommodation
(preferably Christian)
- work
(where appropriate)
- a
link to a supportive
church
- pastoral
suppor
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| Visits
to Lai Chi Kok Remand Centre
We
wanted to take advantage
of Rev. Cowley's visit
(Rev. Cowley heads up the
Alpha in Prison Department
at Alpha International),
and arranged an evangelistic
meeting through Rev. Pun
(Kun Sun Association) at
the Lai Chi Kok Remand
Centre on Sunday, 3 November.
About 30 inmates came to
the Sunday morning service.
Mr. Michael Emmett gave
a testimony and Rev. Cowley
gave the message. We led
the inmates in songs and
prayer. We witnessed the
work of the Holy Spirit
in a great and mighty way.
We saw tough-looking men,
men who seemed indifferent
at first, started to make
eye contact and paid attention
and started to weep and
sob. Many voiced their
prayer aloud asking for
forgiveness from the Lord
and wanting to make a break
from their past and start
anew with the help of God.
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Rev Pun leading
the service at
Lai Chi Kok Remand
Centre assisted
by the Worship
Team. |
Singing praise
songs at the
Sunday Service.
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Rev Paul Cowley
gave the message
with Hannah translating.
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Mr. Michael Emmett
giving a testimony
at Lai Chi Kok
Remand Centre.
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Visit
to the Assistant Commissioner
of Correctional Services:
We
went to see the Asst.
Commissioner of the
Correctional Services
on 4th November. He
was very receptive
to Rev. Cowley's presentation
and Mr. Michael Emmett's
testimony. We believe
the statistics from
prisons running Alpha
in the U.K., South
Africa and other parts
of the world helped
proved that Alpha
was not just a good
idea but has a proven
track record. We sensed
that the Lord is indeed
preparing the path
for us.
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Meeting
with the
Asst Commissioner
of Correctional
Services
Mr. Kelvin
Pang
(L - R)
Mrs. Hannah
Miller,
Rev. John
Pun,
Mr. Kelvin
Pang,
Rev Paul
Cowley &
Mr. Michael
Emmett |
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Alpha
Course Hong Kong Ltd. is a charitable
organization and all donations will
be exempted from tax under Inland
Revenue Ordinance 88 of the HKSAR
Government. |
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