Alpha Friends

"I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" Mark 9:24b Having been involved with several Alpha courses from a guest, to small group host, I am always delighted in seeing the transformation that happens in peoples' lives. For agnostics, atheists and those of different faiths, the course presents the opportunity to explore the Christian faith. For Christians, it challenges beliefs and spirituality by persuading a deeper investigation and engagement with God. Alpha is a time of real fellowship, real in the sense that it is God driven. Every meeting or "coming together" of Alpha guests, proves to be a new experience in itself. Meal times in the New Testament hold a special place of fellowship, and so it is with Alpha that we start the evening with supper. Dinner discussions are always light and non-religious. A video talk by Nicky Gumbel follows which covers topics relevant to contemporary life. Is there more to life than this? Who is Jesus? How does God guide us? Does God heal today? Why would it appear that the ways of God as witnessed in the book of Acts, is so different to the way we experience Him today? The small group discussion follows, allowing a diverse group of people from different social, professional, ethnic, cultural, faiths and philosophical backgrounds to openly discuss in a naturally conducive ambiance without fetters, our perception of the issues we face. In essence, what is the purpose of life? There are no questions regarded as either too simple or too hostile. Every evening is always unique and the discussions are guaranteed to be diverse. What have I gained from Alpha and in particular from the Alpha Weekend Away? A sense and experience of the real living Christ. This has allowed me to put into perspective the many social ills, the decadence of moral standards, the watered down ethics, and the pursuit of immediate gratification regardless of the consequences, that we witness in our contemporary age. I have discovered a powerful inner peace which comes from the Holy Spirit - a peace that washes through me - making me feel whole and complete in this broken and fallen world.