WHERE do I run my Alpha course?
The ideal venue is a home because such an environment is unthreatening for those who do not go to church.
When the course outgrows the home, a venue with a welcoming atmosphere needs to be found. Alpha courses have been held in a huge range of venues. The important thing is that that it is somewhere where guests will feel comfortable, is easy to get to, you are able to serve food and has space for the small groups to meet.
ALASTAIR IN SCOTLAND:
"We ran Alpha for the 2nd time this Autumn. We had tried running it in the church hall, and while we had a good time, we felt that it was not great for discussion, so we ran it in my home with initially 14 people. Dougie had contacted me online asking if his daughter Helen could come. As it turned out I already knew Helen (I am her GP!) and Dougie and his girlfriend, Liz, came to the course as well. We had a great mix of people who all seemed to bond very well.
On the third week, halfway through Nicky's talk, the DVD froze, and we were unable to restart it. The only solution I could think of was using my personal DVD (8" screen) on a stool in the middle of the room with 14 people crowded round. I was thinking, "What a disaster of an evening", when Helen announced that she wanted to become a Christian. I had the joy of leading her to the Lord that night. Later we ran an "Away-day" rather than a weekend, when Dougie gave his heart to Jesus too. The Alpha course has led to (another) Helen being restored to the Lord after many years, and a new filling of the Spirit for all who attended.
This has been probably the highlight of my Christian life. Helen has spoken at the church service and she and Dougie are being baptised next month - the first time I remember a father and daughter being baptised together!"
http://www.alphafriends.org/story/god-still-works-even-if-dvd-player-doesnt