More than 400 Alpha Advisers and friends from across the UK gathered in London for Alpha’s annual UK Strategy Day in February.
It was the first ever two-track day, open to everyone running Alpha courses in the UK, with sessions for experienced Advisers and those attending the event for the first time.

A vision to make Alpha training available to every Christian in the UK was discussed, with ‘Equip and Refresh Days’ to take place in 20 locations during the year.
There were also plans for joint prayer meetings, Initiative launch events and joint training sessions in local areas.

First to speak at the feedback session was Bishop Sandy Millar, former Vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton and now Assistant Bishop of London in charge of St Mark’s Tollington Park.
He said, ‘I want you to know that the Alpha formula that we’ve talked about for a very long time is absolutely wonderful. Our excitement over our first convert, Tony, who is a chef and a very young man, couldn’t have been greater if it had been our first baby. It really is so exciting.’

Another delegate, Michael, spoke about his experience running Alpha in St Joseph’s Roman Catholic church in Wealdstone, north west London.
He said, ‘We’ve just introduced Alpha as part of our pastoral plan for the next decade, and so far it’s been absolutely incredible.
‘We’ve had so many ordinary Catholics and converted newcomers going out and getting friends for our first course... On our first course, we had 100 guests and on this, our second course, we have got around the 50 mark. Please pray for all the Catholic churches in your area because it really suits our context brilliantly.’

Another delegate, Andy, told how he was running Alpha in a ‘trendy wine bar’ off Fleet Street in central London. He said, ‘We have packed out the wine bar and have had so many people that we ran out of food on one occasion.
‘We’ve seen people become Christians pretty much every week over the past year and it has blown my mind seeing evangelism work.

Other delegates spoke about their experiences leading Alpha teams to India and working among Chinese students in the UK.
The date of the next UK Strategy Day was given as February 27, 2008.
If you are interested in more details of Alpha training events, see the ‘training and events near you’ page at uk.alpha.org/runningacourse.