The Alpha Course - www.norwichcitadel.org.uk

The Alpha Course

This page contains details of the Alpha programme as it is run at Norwich Citadel.

If God did exist, what would you ask?

What is the Point of Life?
Why do people suffer?
What happens when we die?
Is forgiveness possible?

What is Alpha?

The Alpha course is an opportunity for everyone to explore the Christian faith.

It is relaxed, low key, friendly and fun.

There is a meal together at the beginning of each session which gives you an opportunity to get to know each other.

Listen, learn discuss and discover. And ask anything. Alpha is a place where no question is too simple or too hostile.

And it is supported by all the main Christian denominations.

What is Involved?

The Alpha course consists of a series of eveing talks looking at topics such as 'Who is Jesus?' and 'Why and how do I pray?' After each talk we divide into small groups for a time of discussion. We also spend a day together at Bungay Quiet Notes mid way through the course looking at the work of the Holy Spirit.

Who is Alpha For?
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

What Will it Cost?

There is no charge for the Alpha course.

How Do I Sign Up?
If you would like to attend Alpha then contact us to request a registration form.

The Story of Alpha

The Alpha Course has been running for over 26 years, but it was only in the early 1990s that its potential as a vehicle for evangelism began to emerge. This is the story of how it happened...

In the late 1970's Charles Marnham, a clergyman at Holy Trinity, Brompton Church, London began looking for a means of presenting the basic principles of the Christian faith to new Christians in a relaxed and informal setting. He devised the Alpha course. The talks addressed such questions as 'Who is Jesus?' and 'Why and how should I pray'? When Charles Marnham moved on others led the course and made their own changes.

By the time former barrister Nicky Gumbel took over the course in 1990, Alpha was a central feature of the church's life.

It was while leading his second Alpha course that Nicky realised how the simple course in the basics of Christianity could become a powerful medium for evangelism. He quickly worked to give the course the kind of feel that would make it particularly appealing to non-churchgoers.

In 1993 the first Alpha course conference was held to show other church leaders how to run the course effectively. Since then the course has spread rapidly across the world with more than 39,000 churches now registered as Alpha Churches and more than 11 million guests (5 million in Britain) that have now attended an Alpha course.

Alpha News - January 2009

Our next Alpha will be "Lunchtime Alpha". We will commence the week beginning the 20th April, to follow on from our Building Relationships Course - more details will follow.

If you would like to attend, or know of someone you would like to attend, or know of someone you would like to invite to come along - Matthew 28: vs. 16-20 - then please speak to Margaret or Philip Neave, or see Alison in the office.

Let God know how much you love Him by loving someone so much, that you want to invite them to discover God's love for themselves at Alpha.

Alpha News Update - December 2008

More than five million people have been on Alpha Courses in this country and more than eleven million in one hundred and sixty three countries. More than one million people are interested in a future course. Over eleven million people identified Alpha asa a Christian course. Most People, over 90% attend Alpha as a direct result of an invitation from a church member.

As Alpha leaders we have the privilege on each course of seeing and sharing as the Lord changes lives. None of us ever complete the eleven weeks and fourteen talks without Alpha changing our lives in some way. We have just finished the latest Alpha course, based on "Is this it? If God did exist what would you ask him?"

In terms of numbers, we cannot compete with the 300 or so guests who attend the course at Holy Trinity Brompton, but the Lord meets with us in the same way. Each evening we have been regaled with wonderful food (thanks to our generous and dedicated catering team), a talk and lively discussion throughout the night.

We were greatly blessed in the away day, experiencing the Holy Spirit so personally throughout the day and with guests and leaders on the floor praying in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Many thanks are due to Major Denis for his support, throughout the course and on the Holy Spirit day.

We continue to be thankful for Alpha at the Citadel, the support team and give thanks for transformed lives.

Please pray for our guests that they will continue to be challenged, pray that the Lord will lead you to invite someone on the next Alpha. Please pray for the Alpha leaders as they wait on the Lord for his will for Alpha 2009.

We have been truly blessed to have Jay and Sarah as fellow Alpha helpers and we raise them up to the Lord as they look forward to a new future. Great thanks also to Andy for his support for the Alpha work at the Citadel.

(Phillip and Margaret)

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