Alpha Global Prayer Network

6 August 2008in

Alpha

October 2008

In this issue:

Nation-by-nation prayer needs and praise points from:
Canada, Costa Rica, Estonia, Ethiopia, France, India, Ireland, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Poland, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States and Zimbabwe.
Ministry-by-ministry prayer needs and praise points from:
Alpha for Prisons, Caring for Ex-Offenders, Alpha for Forces, Alpha in the Workplace, Alpha for ESOL, Youth Alpha, Student Alpha, Senior Alpha, Alpha in a Catholic Context, Family Life, Worship Central and St Paul's Theological Centre.

Dear friends,

Last week I spent a whole day with Church leaders in Karnataka discussing ways to face the many attacks against churches in our state. For weeks we have had churches vandalised and many Christians hurt. Churches that I have preached at and people I have known are affected. Presently the government here is against Christians whose churches are growing, and there are agitations against conversions.

We have another state in India where worse reactions are reported every day. The simple, tribal Christians have taken refuge in the forests to escape being attacked. Countless people have been marginalised, displaced, harassed and their rights taken away. These are people who would like to live a normal life, including gathering together and worshiping God.

Along with religious persecution, terrorism is another factor troubling India. It is a global phenomenon, and in spite of the best technology, we continue to see that authorities in India and elsewhere are unable to stop terrorists striking at will.

All these activities are indicators of our dissatisfied societies. People are frustrated with themselves and with their failure to find meaning in life.

These activities also indicate the immediate need for a strong Church worldwide, which can present our societies with meaning, hope and forgiveness. With God through Jesus Christ.

It is time to pray and raise our voices against all kinds of atrocities. And it is time for the staff, volunteers and partners of Alpha around the world to unite and pray that God would favour this work – that He would entrust us with relationships, opportunities, resources, staff, strength, wisdom and success as we endeavour to equip the Church for evangelisation.

Let us pray together.

Affectionately,
Raj

J Varadaraj
National Director, Alpha India

Countries

Canada

Population – 33.37 million people
Capital – Ottawa

Praise God:

That lives and churches have been touched and changed through the Alpha ministry.
For generous financial partners who continue to invest in the work of evangelism through Alpha in Canada.
For committed staff and volunteers who invest of their time, talent and treasure in the ministry.
For the many people who, having come to faith through an Alpha course, are serving as Alpha Advisors, Alpha Course Administrators, Alpha small group leaders and in other areas of ministry within the Church.
For more than 10 years of Alpha ministry in Canada!

Please pray:

For complete healing for National Director Sally Start who has been experiencing heart palpitations.
For wisdom and favour for the National Office and field staff who are involved in raising financial partners for their areas of responsibility, and for the ministry overall.
For favour on a funding proposal for the 2009 National Initiative.
For wisdom, discernment and resources to address website and IT challenges.
That churches will be effective in reaching out to their communities and will see many people come to faith in Jesus Christ through running Alpha.

Costa Rica

Population – 4.13 million people
Capital – San José

Praise God:

For an amazing International Conference in February 2008.
For all the churches that have started Alpha this year.
For Alpha courses running in prisons.
For all the abundant materials we have.
For successful GAT in Nicaragua (prepared by us).

Please pray:

For the success of our National Conference, March 2009.
For the setting up of a legal organisation for our Alpha National Office.
For Wendy and Erick, our full time office staff members.
For all the GATs planned for the rest of the year.
For unity: Catholic Church and Evangelical Church.
Fundraising.

Estonia

Population – 1.34 million people
Capital - Tallinn

Praise God:

That almost all the denominations work together.
That Alpha work has increased.
That youth activity has increased in churches.
For Christians gaining access to national and secular radio and TV stations.

Please pray:

For the establishment of Estonia’s Alpha office.
For the nation’s politics – for the right people, and for good decisions.
For the economics of Estonia.
For interest towards God amongst the population.
For the strengthening of families and relationships in Estonia.

Ethiopia

Population – 78.25 million people
Capital – Addis Ababa

Praise God:

God helped us to have our 1st GAT event among evangelical, Catholic and some Orthodox leaders.
God gave us the Alpha trainings successfully.
That monthly prayer was started among the denominations.
That two churches, other than Anglican, started Alpha Courses.
That the Alpha National Office has started to function.

Please pray:

For God to provide for Alpha Ethiopia’s budget.
For God to help us create an Amharic language DVD.
That the spirit of unity will grow amongst the Trinitarians.
For God to give us passionate and committed Alpha volunteers.

France

Population – 64.47 million people
Capital – Paris

Praise God:

Let us give thanks for the many new churches who are launching Alpha this term.

Please pray:

For the first National Invitation in France: for many people to come to the dinners and for positive media coverage.
That we find a great new Director for the French Alpha Office.

India

Population – 1.13 billion people
Capital – New Delhi

Praise God:

For the many new partnerships.
For the increase in number of courses.
For the wide variety of positive responses from the field.
For the many open doors.

Please pray:

For wisdom to channel all the new openings into courses.
For the new trainings that are to happen in October and November.
For wisdom to build on the many things that are happening.
For peace and harmony among the various communities in the country.

Ireland

Population – 5.98 million people
Capital – Dublin

Praise God:

For a successful training seminar this month with over 100 delegates from all over Ireland.
For the 20 Alpha courses starting this month.

Please pray:

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin has just set up an Office of Evangelisation - the first diocese in Ireland to do so. Alpha Ireland is building a good relationship with this new office. Pray that it will continue and that Alpha will be one of the key tools actively promoted by this new Office.
Nicky Gumbel is coming to Dublin On Fri 21st November. Pray for the key doors to be opened for this visit.
Alpha Ireland needs to see a breakthrough in the area of finance. Pray for more business people to sow into this key ministry.

Hong Kong

Population – 6.98 million people

Praise God:

For a recent testimony: A lady came on Alpha two years ago and accepted Jesus. Last year she brought her mom to Alpha. Her mother also accepted the Lord, gave up her 40-year dependence on drugs reconciled with her daughter (after years of hatred and resentment). Praise the Lord!
That Nicky and Sila are coming to Hong Kong to lead us in the Global Chinese Marriage Conference on 29th November, 2009.
That Youth Alpha in schools is really taking off (10 schools have recently decided to incorporate Youth Alpha into their school curriculum).
For near completion of the Marriage Course and the Marriage Preparation Course DVDs in Chinese subtitles, with simplified and traditional versions of manuals for both. Hallelujah!

Please pray:

For all matters related to the Global Chinese Marriage Conference, which is taking place in November.
For the Alpha Invitation campaign which is on around town at the moment: movie theatres, Mass Transit Railway platform TVs and video screens on buses. Pray that the video promos will arouse people's interest to join an Alpha Course.
For the Alpha Invitation Week 13-21 September, kick starting the Autumn Alpha Courses in Hong Kong.
For the Lord to send the right people to join us for Youth Alpha work.
That the Lord will give us more energy to do HIS will, and wisdom to know how to set limits.

Japan

Population – 127.43 million people
Capital – Tokyo

Praise God:

That the Assemblies of God church in Japan has been opened for Alpha.
That existing Japanese language videos are now being transferred to DVD.
That the Marriage Course is in pre-production and is being run by a few churches.

Please pray:

For three upcoming introductory trainings in Tokyo, Yokohama and Hokkaido.
For ongoing introductory seminars.
For our potentially adding a part time staff member to manage resources (new position).
For the growth and strengthening of courses throughout Japan.
For the successful balancing of the ministry responsibilities of our National Director.

Malaysia

Population – 27.73 million people
Capital – Kuala Lumpur

Praise God:

That Youth Alpha has been accepted into 85 National Service camps across Malaysia in collaboration with the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF).
For the training of 200 Sidang Injil Borneo (SIB; Borneo Evangelical Church) leaders in the national language.
For the launch of a pilot Alpha ESOL into 8 refugee centres in Kuala Lumpur.
For the Marriage Course and The Marriage Preparation Course gaining wide acceptance amongst the main-line churches.

Please pray:

For ongoing appointments of advisers and volunteers.
For the roll-out of new initiatives: Senior Alpha and Workplace Alpha.
For evangelism: for the alignment of hearts rather than just assignment for hands; for a transformational process.
That churches doing Alpha continue to multiply, and that they form a strong network to serve the Body of Christ at large.
For a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our young people.

New Zealand

Population – 4.27 million people
Capital – Wellington

Praise God:

For growing relationships with Senior Alpha church leaders.
That our relationship with Prison Fellowship continues to grow.
For new relationships with Christian Media.
For new staff – Administrator and National Youth & Students Coordinator.
For new churches running Alpha Courses.

Please pray:

For plans for Training Days 2009.
For plans for Invitation 2009.
For plans for Transform Conference 2009.
For Rachel White’s internship @ HTB.
For the preparations for a DVD of a transformed ex-offender’s life.

Poland

Population – 38.12 million people
Capital – Warsaw

Praise God:

For support of Alpha by Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz from Cracow.
For donors from the whole country for National Alpha Office activities.
For new Board members.

Please pray:

For the Student Alpha Conference on the 18th October in Cracow.
For new courses starting in the forthcoming months.
For good Alpha Advisers.
For finances for the new edition of The Alpha Course DVD set.

Sierra Leone

Population – 6.29 million people
Capital – Freetown

Please pray:

For Alpha's acceptance by Bishops and Heads of Churches.
For Alpha's penetrations into the Roman Catholic Church.
For Alpha's growth in prisons and the military.

Singapore

Population – 4.59 million people

Praise God:

For the unprecedented opportunities to reach out to the million-plus foreign workers who are on Singapore soil.
For the interest in Alpha created among many groups and churches since the April conference this year.
For increased momentum across all Alpha ministries, especially in workplaces, prisons, Catholic churches and Chinese Alpha.
For the new partnerships being birthed among churches, para Christian organizations, workplaces, halfway houses and education institutions.
For the introduction of Alpha for ESOL, which is beginning to be used in prisons, halfway houses, churches, and with foreign workers.

Please pray:

That Alpha would be re-launched in churches which have taken a break, with greater depth and sustainability.
For pastors and leaders to see Alpha as a relevant evangelistic course to use as a follow-up to My Hope Singapore.
For more churches to join hands in reaching out to the many foreigners in Singapore, and that this would contribute to a spread in the use of Alpha for ESOL.
For a raising up of more Alpha Advisers and trainers to cater to the growing number of courses across the nation.
For greater sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s leading as activities continue to increase; discernment to know what’s on the Lord’s heart.

South Africa

Population – 47.90 million
Capital – Pretoria

Praise God:

For a successful Vision Day, where more than 100 people from different parts of the country attended!
For a successful regional training day for Gauteng Province in Johannesburg.
That Peter Sutton (National Director) was part of the SAACOM Conference (South African Association of Correctional Ministries – of which Alpha Prisons South Africa is a member), on Saturday 20th September. This also proved to be very productive.
For the upcoming National Alpha Conference, with the exciting prospect of delegates from surrounding African countries being able to attend, along with the South African delegates.
For the support and encouragement we receive from the Dutch Reformed Church in Pretoria East, which is hosting our National Office. They have also provided venues and various other means of support for the different events that the NAO has put together.

Please pray:

For the National Alpha Conference being held from 31 October and 1 November. We really pray that the delegates will be inspired and envisioned to start Alpha Courses back home. Also, we are trusting God for grace and provision relating to the logistics and administration of the Conference.
For an increase in Alpha Advisors and prayer networks across South Africa.
That even more doors would be opened for Alpha for Prisons to start up in more prisons.
That more people would partner with Alpha at all levels.
That Alpha would become more accessible to everyone in South Africa, through more churches running courses, through more training/GAT events, and through greater access to resources.

Thailand

Population – 63.04 million people
Capital - Bangkok

Praise God:

For many doors opening, including with overseas students (especially Chinese from Mainland China), and hill-tribe groups.
For one small church in Northeast Thailand which has used the Alpha Course for planting a church, with 14 youth converts this 3rd round.
For helping hands from Malaysia, our neighbour mission team.
For needed translations that have been completed, including Telling Others and Youth Alpha Missions Model, in Thai and Karen languages.

Please pray:

For the political situation in Thailand, we ask for righteous government.
For more workers for the harvest.
That God will provide all resources that we need for next year’s plan, especially for one more staff member.
For good relationships as we partner with para church organisations.
That Alpha will be one key tool to prepare leaders for revival.

Uganda

Population – 30.90 million people
Capital – Kampala

Praise God:

For the over 90 prisoners and 120 students that have recently finished their Alpha courses.
For God's provisions that have kept the National Alpha Office operational.
For the churches that are opening up doors for Alpha in Uganda.
For the commitment of all Alpha Advisers, church leaders, volunteers and key contacts.

Please pray:

For the upcoming Global Alpha Training events in Central and Eastern Uganda this October.
For the Saint Paul's Shadwell team (from London), which will be coming to Uganda to lead the above GAT events.
For increased provisions in money to further the ministry of Alpha in Uganda.
For more churches and denominations to receive and take up Alpha.
For God to raise up more leaders to help share the vision of Alpha with other churches.

United Kingdom

Population – 60.97 million people
Capital – London

Praise God:

For the 192,500 people who did Alpha in the UK in 2007. May we have even more in 2008!
The 1.5 Million people who attended the Alpha Course worldwide in 2007.
For first time national advertising in Northern Ireland.
For the Alpha Invitation National Advertising during September – 2400 bus panels, 970 posters, and 850 billboards.

Please pray:

For the Alpha National Invitation Campaign across the UK in September 2008 - for the outdoor advertising on billboards, buses and train stations, the launch events and new Courses.
For these potential guests to respond and sign up to a course.
For people to feel confident to invite their non-Christian friends along to local Alpha courses.
For young leaders to emerge to lead the Alpha course in every corner of the British Isles.
For the Alpha launch and prayer events across the country this month.
For churches who are working together on joint initiatives.

United States

Population – 305.14 million people
Capital – Washington D.C.

Praise God:

For new regional directors/teams in New York, Washington DC, the South East, Twin Cities, Minnesota, and Denver, Colorado.
For Ruth Graham agreeing to speak at our major Donor/Partner event October 30th to November 2nd.
That 28 cities across America are now planning an Alpha Invitation.
For an increase in ‘Getting Started’ and other training events.
For several churches in Muncie, Indiana, who are planning 1,200 - 1,400 courses by training couples to invite two to three other couples to their homes.

Please pray:

For our regional teams developing in Detroit, Dallas and other major cities.
For wisdom, guidance and boldness as we develop our strategic plan for 2009 and beyond (including our conference strategy – what, where, when and how!!).
For twenty five or more ‘high net worth individuals’ to attend our Donor/Partner event October 30th to Nov 2nd and to make significant contributions to the ministry.
For wisdom, guidance and ‘open doors’ as we develop a curriculum to teach Alpha in seminaries across America.
For unity and alignment across the Alpha family.

Zimbabwe

Population – 13.35 million people
Capital - Harare

Praise God:

For the many healings and deliverances occurring during the 'Zimbabwe for Jesus' Chipinge revival crusade.
For the Global Internship development opportunity for our National Director.
Thank you Lord for all the Alpha International, Regional and local Boards and Directors who inspire us with their faith.
For Alpha in the Workplace graduates who continue to attend regular Bible studies, praise and prayer meetings.
For new links with the Bible Society and potential gifts of Bibles for the underprivileged who complete Alpha.

Please pray:

For the provision of inspired discipleship for many new converts to the Christian faith.
For an extra measure of divine guidance for the leaders and mentors of the Global Internship programme.
For a return to justice and the rule of law in Zimbabwe.
For opportunities to restart Alpha training and courses, which were put on hold as a result of post election persecution and violence.
For protection for all who courageously run Alpha in often hostile environments.

Alpha International Ministries

Alpha for Prisons

Praise God:

That two new countries, Indonesia and Anguilla, have come on board and started running the Alpha for Prisons course (a total of 82 countries on board).
For the success of the Alpha course in Bukidnon jail, Philippines. Thank God for His presence and for the talk of Bishop Pacana, who helped many prisoners to find Jesus and remain hopeful for the future.
For a successful Alpha course which ran from February to June in a prison in Bulgaria, in which many prisoners found meaning for their lives and were touched by the love and time shown to them by the Alpha team from the local Church. Please do pray that God would continue to work in their hearts and for the prison to be welcoming when, hopefully, the Alpha group returns next year.

Please pray:

For the Global Alpha Training event in Rwanda. Please pray for safety for all the team involved and for all to attend to gain valuable experience, contacts and training.
For the Alpha course now running in a prison in Medan, Indonesia. Please pray for openness within the prison and plenty of support from the churches in the area.
For the new Alpha for Prisons and Caring for Ex-offenders strategy currently being developed.
For the growing number of prisons running Alpha courses and for more prisoners coming to faith through the course.

Caring for Ex-Offenders

Praise God:

For the success with the first Alpha courses at HMP Pentonville and HMP Norwich
For the growing number of people showing interest in volunteering for Alpha for Prisons and Caring for Ex-offenders and for the continuing growth of the ministries
For the success of the Caring for Ex-offenders Mentoring Training Programme

Please pray:

For the new Prison Ministry strategy currently being developed and for the growing number of Churches and prisons getting involved.
For strength, wisdom, protection and provision for the Mentor Training Programme Manager.
That the training would be delivered and received in the power of the Holy Spirit.
That God would prepare the hearts and minds of the CFEO mentors and mentees.
For an abundant harvest and blessing in this ministry.
That God would equip Church leaders and give them wisdom and discernment as they oversee the mentor training programme within their churches.

Alpha for Forces

Praise God:

That so far this year Alpha for Forces has now run on 4 of the Royal Navy ships, HMS Illustrious, Liverpool, Montrose and Kent. There is due to be a 5th course on HMS Albion – God is really moving in the Navy. He is also opening doors within Naval bases that have previously been closed to running Alpha courses.
For the new additional session to the Marriage Course on Involuntary Separation. We as so pleased that it has been created and is ready to be put into practice, as this session will be central to courses running on bases.

Please pray:

That Alpha will be used in the Niger-Delta, Nigeria, to reach the militia and that this will have a massive impact on the whole region. A GAT team will be going out from HTB at the beginning of October to train church leaders and those who will later run the course for the Militia.
That Daniel Bastien (Canadian National Director - Alpha for the Military) will find a suitable person to take over from him and drive the ministry forward in Canada.
For a successful course at MCTC (Military Correction and Training Centre) in the UK. The course began September 14th, and is the only location in the UK where the forces and prisons ministries are combined. We would love to see an ongoing programme of Alpha at MCTC.

Alpha in the Workplace

Praise God:

For new courses starting around the world.
For the great connections established through our recent training in India and Trinidad.
For the completion of our new branding and the soon-to-be-finished AiW training video.

Please pray:

For new AiW courses started in India following Alpha Singapore’s GAT team training in three cities.
For God to open doors for AiW in Japan where there is a growing interest to start new courses.
For the launch of the new AiW training video – that many new courses would start.

Alpha for English Speakers of

Other Languages (ESOL)

Praise God:

That as of May 2008, Alpha for ESOL is now an official global ministry.
That God is growing Alpha for ESOL rapidly. In just 11 months 8 new countries have started to run the course, making a total of 11 countries.
That 60 Alpha for ESOL courses are now running globally.
That three new Alpha for ESOL National Coordinators have been appointed this year.
That in August, the first Alpha for ESOL GAT events happened in Japan and Singapore, with over 100 people attending in Singapore.
For nine Alpha for ESOL conferences and training events that have happened in the past four months, training over 350 people to run Alpha for ESOL.
For the many lives of non-native English speakers that are changing, and for the people who are coming to Christ through Alpha for ESOL.

Please pray:

For more key people, advisors, and national coordinators to be identified.
For continued financial support for the Alpha for ESOL global ministry
For the upcoming Alpha for ESOL training events in October in Vancouver, Canada and November in Seattle, USA.
For more opportunities for Alpha for ESOL GAT events.
For direction, guidance and protection by the Holy Spirit for Alpha for ESOL leaders planning and running Alpha for ESOL courses globally.
For continued growth of Alpha for ESOL, and each and every Alpha for ESOL guest.

Youth Alpha

Praise God:

That Matt Costley, Youth Alpha Director has been healed from chronic fatigue.
That we have had loads of interest at Soul Survivor (A massive youth festival in England). A lot of people had never heard of Youth Alpha so they were very excited about discovering a new resource!
That more and more countries are running training days internationally.

Please pray:

For loads of new courses to start as a result of Hope 08.
For God to keep on inspiring us in His plans for Youth Alpha.
For God’s hand to be in the re-write of the Alpha for Youth Leaders’ Guide.

Student Alpha

Praise God:

For the Student Alpha Conference, London where more than 100 people from around the UK and beyond (including Bosnia and the Netherlands) signed up.
For the Poland Student Alpha Conference (18 October) which is the first ever Student Alpha Conference in Eastern Europe (held in Krakow, Poland).
For the continued growth of Student Alpha around the globe. In particular, for the amazing explosion of courses in Canada. In the past year over 50 courses have started on 46 campuses!

Please pray:

For the Student Alpha Conference in London, that the conference will bear great fruit with many students coming to know Jesus as a result.
For the Poland Student Alpha Conference. Please pray that the conference will attract 100s of students and inspire the growth of Student Alpha on the university campuses of Poland and surrounding countries.

Senior Alpha

Praise God:

For those of an older generation who have already come to know the good news about Jesus on a Senior Alpha.
For countries new to running Senior Alpha such as the US and Malaysia and as well as those that have been running for a long time such as Zimbabwe, Germany, Korea and the UK.

Please pray:

For those of an older generation, from whatever country, to come to know the good news about Jesus.
For more countries to start running Senior Alpha.
For countries new to running Senior Alpha such as the US and Malaysia and as well as those that have been running for a long time such as Zimbabwe, Germany, Korea and the UK.
For more Senior Alpha Advisers to be appointed to support local Senior Alpha courses.

Alpha in a Catholic Context

Please pray:

For more Alpha courses and young leaders to be raised as a result of the Alpha events held at World Youth Day, Sydney 08.
For all Alpha in a Catholic Context Courses starting this Autumn, especially for any new courses starting in parishes. Pray for the teams, leaders, helpers, guests and speakers.
For the Global Alpha Training event in Slovakia hosted by the Maranatha Community, October 23 - 24.

Alpha-Related Ministries

Family Life

Praise God:

For the appointment of Gavin and Jill Morley as National Marriage Coordinators in South Africa.

Please pray:

That interest will rise in Ireland for The Marriage Course (TMC) and The Marriage Preparation Course (TMPC) after the Alpha Training Day on 13 September.
For the growth of TMC and TMPC in South Africa.
For training to be provided for TMC and TMPC in Uganda.
For the appointment of a National Marriage Coordinator to oversee the Family Life ministry in the USA.

Worship Central

Praise God:

For the new Worship Central website being launched, which is helping worship leaders all around the world to interact in a new way through song clinics and forums.
For the London Worship Central Day of 2000 worship leaders and their teams who left challenged and on fire for God.

Please pray:

For the upcoming UK Tour which started on 16th Sept in London and continues for 2 weeks in October (15th - 18th and 22nd - 25th).
For full venues of enthusiastic young worship leaders who will be inspired to lead God-centred worship in their own churches.
For local teams who are doing much of the work organising the events in London, Oxford, York, Edinburgh, Belfast, Southampton, Swansea, Manchester and Birmingham.
For safety and fun as the Worship Central team travels from city-to-city on a very tight schedule.
For all those leading worship and speaking, that they would be filled with the Holy Spirit and able to minister powerfully through Him.

St Paul's Theological Centre

(SPTC)

Praise God:

For 18 new ordinands starting training at SPTC (part of St Mellitus College) September 08.
That independent students are now able to study for certificates, diplomas and degrees in contextual theology at SPTC/St Mellitus College.
That the filming of the School of Theology, as a theological teaching resource, has begun.

Please pray:

For the new academic year.
That we are able to support, teach & train ordinands and independent students as well as possible.
For the staff team at SPTC and SMC.

To have your country included in the next issue, please email prayer and praise points to ben.randall@alpha.org