Alpha
Images and text © Alpha Canada 2006-2009
Who is Alpha For
Alpha is for anyone... anyone who thinks there may be more to life than what he or she is experiencing now.
People attend from all backgrounds, religions, and viewpoints. They come to investigate questions around the existence of God, the purpose of life, the afterlife, the claims of Jesus and more. Some people are looking for a relationship with God that really changes life. Others come for the close, long-lasting friendships that are built during the Alpha course. Everyone is welcome.
How much does it cost
The Alpha course is tuition-free. A small contribution may be requested for the meals and for the weekend getaway.
How does the course work?
Each session begins with a meal or refreshments -- a chance to get to know others in the small group. There is then a short talk, which examines a different aspect of the Christian faith each week. This is followed by a time of discussion in the small groups, where everyone is welcome to contribute their opinion, ask questions and discuss with the rest of the group. The emphasis is upon exploration and discovery in a relaxed and informal environment.
Courses vary in size, from one small group meeting in a home, to hundreds of people in a larger venue. Some courses are held over morning coffee or during a lunch hour. Most are evening courses, typically lasting two hours. Whatever the course size, people tend to remain in the same small groups for the duration of the course so they can get to know each other, continue discussions and deepen friendships.
The whole course usually lasts for ten weeks, with a day or weekend away scheduled midway through the course.
What are the talks about?
Week 1: Who is Jesus?
Week 2: Why Did Jesus Die?
Week 3: How Can I Be Sure of My Faith?
Week 4: Why and How Do I Pray?
Week 5: Why and How Should I Read the Bible?
Week 6: How Does God Guide us?
Weekend Away or Day Away (see below)
Week 7: How Can I Resist Evil?
Week 8: Why and How Should I Tell Others?
Week 9: Does God Heal Today?
Week 10: What About the Church?
During the Weekend Away or Day Away, these subjects are explored:
Who Is the Holy Spirit?
What Does the Holy Spirit Do?
How Can I Be Filled with the Holy Spirit?
How Can I Make the Most of the Rest of my Life?
Images and text © Alpha Canada 2006-2009
1185 Sunnyside Road, Kingston, Ontario K7L 4V4, Phone: 613-542-1323, email: office@kschurch.ca
Starts February 8th 6:00pm
Images and text © Alpha Canada 2006-2009
What guests say
"Alpha was the beginning of big changes... I was able to forgive my Dad and I asked God to forgive me. Now I actually love people! It's just amazing how Jesus is transforming my heart."
Greg
"My life has purpose now! Doing Alpha has given me a second chance at life. People I know have seen the difference and they love the new me."
Joyce G.
"I was taught that God was distant. I thought that God's approval depended on my ability to be perfect. Now I am confident that God loves me in all ways. He walks closely with me and He hasn't finished with me yet."
Michaela F.
"I went along to Alpha and I was so shocked. I thought Christians were really sad, boring people but I couldn't believe it -- everyone was so happy. They all welcomed me and were interested in me."
Galvin C.
"I grew up in an atheist household. To me, Bible stories were fairy tales. A friend invited me to Alpha, and I've never regretted it. I've had so much fun. I made a commitment to Christ, and I've never been happier."
Julia S.
"At the end of the evening, I was astonished at how much I had enjoyed myself. As the weeks went by, I found myself looking forward to [it] -- not so much because of the religious aspect but because of the stimulating debates about subjects which, in our busy lives, few of us take time to address."
Doug S.
"I've lived a very violent life and could feel the cycle starting over again. My wife got me to go to Alpha. It sounded like somebody was telling me the truth for the first time. I met God in a personal way. I felt a wave of peace and felt like somebody lifted a million pounds off me."
Mark G.
"When I first heard about the Alpha course I was at a stage when I was searching for something 'out there'. I really needed to ask questions and not feel like I was getting a hard-sell pitched at me. Now I perceive things differently and just feel so at peace. I have also met a wonderful bunch of new friends on the course."
Edythe M.
"Before I came to Alpha my life was pretty ragged. I was an alcoholic at 15, clinically depressed at 16, and had a drug problem at 17. God led me to Alpha... lifted me up, and set my feet on firm ground."
Tim & Michelle P.
"Our intentions were to save our marriage but so much more has been saved. We finally let go of the past. We feel free. Without Alpha I don't think the change in our lives would have happened."
Doug B.
"I found an inner peace and strength that I'd been looking for for over 40 years. I don't care if you're rich or poor. If you've got inner peace, you're the richest person in the world."
Robert T.
"I suppose it was about week four that I started to think to myself, 'This is quite interesting'. On the Saturday as we sat and listened to the talks, I felt the presence of God firmly. I felt really peaceful, but also confused, because up until that point I had thought Christianity was a myth and Christians were wrong."
Erin D.
"I was in for a big surprise! When I walked in, I found something that I desperately wanted. Alpha changed my life... not only my spiritual life, but my social life. I made some of my greatest friends at Alpha."
Cathy P.
"In a treatment centre for drug addiction someone told me God loves me. I started to cry. 'Could God really love me, really forgive me?' I wondered. During an Alpha course I invited Jesus into my life. He has brought a wonder, joy, and peace I had never known."
Jennifer A.
"I never thought I would reconcile my 'problems' with Christianity. Within the Alpha course I was allowed to be as skeptical as I wanted and needed to be. I could have walked away at any time. Instead, I chose to believe."