A MODEL FOR DYNAMIC

GROWTH

IN THE LOCAL CHURCH

2010 ALPHA AMERICAS CONFERENCE

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ROMANS10:14AND HOW CAN THEY

IN THE ONE OF WHOM

THEY HAVE NOT HEARD?

BELIEVE

The number of atheist

“Go and make disciples of all nations...And surely I AM

WITH YOU ALWAYS.” Matthew 28:19-20

or agnostic student groups

HAS MORE THAN

IN THE PASTDOUBLED

2 YEARS

C H R I S T I A N I T Y H A S T H E S L O W E S T G R O W T H A M O N G R E L I G I O N S I N A M E R I C A .

9 2 % O F T O P C H R I S T I A N D E N O M I N A T I O N S R E P O R T A T T E N D A N C E D R O P.

CHURCHES STRUGGLE WITH MEMBERSHIP DECLINE

RESEA

RC

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SUG

GEST AT

LEAST 50

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OF CO

LLEGE

STUD

ENTS

ARE LEAV

ING

THE CH

URCH

50%

ROMANS10:14AND HOW CAN THEY

IN THE ONE OF WHOM

THEY HAVE NOT HEARD?

BELIEVE

The number of atheist

“Go and make disciples of all nations...And surely I AM

WITH YOU ALWAYS.” Matthew 28:19-20

or agnostic student groups

HAS MORE THAN

IN THE PASTDOUBLED

2 YEARS

C H R I S T I A N I T Y H A S T H E S L O W E S T G R O W T H A M O N G R E L I G I O N S I N A M E R I C A .

9 2 % O F T O P C H R I S T I A N D E N O M I N A T I O N S R E P O R T A T T E N D A N C E D R O P.

CHURCHES STRUGGLE WITH MEMBERSHIP DECLINE

RESEA

RC

H

SUG

GEST AT

LEAST 50

%

OF CO

LLEGE

STUD

ENTS

ARE LEAV

ING

THE CH

URCH

50%

In a relaxed, friendly setting, the Alpha course usually meets once per week for 10 weeks, and includes an amazing one-day or weekend getaway. Each session, people enjoy great food, laughter and learn about the basics of the

Christian faith in a fun and friendly atmosphere where no question about life or God is seen as too simple or too hostile… questions like—Is there a God? Why am I here? Where did I come from? Where am I going?

“ I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:24

ALPHA IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE THE MEANING OF LIFE

HOW DO WE COMMUNICATE UNCHANGING TRUTH?God has an answer to reverse this trend – it’s the proclamation of the Gospel through the local Church. Alpha’s mission is to serve and strengthen the church to see this happen.

www.alphausa.org/growth

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in spreading the Gospel,

leading to tens of thousands

of commitments to Christ.

of guests who take the Alpha Course make

a first time commitment or recommitment to

“Married for eight years, I was a Christian and he was not. He mentally abused me, and he pushed

me down as low as I could get. I was ready to die and to give up on God. I had prayed for my husband

for so long. All of a sudden - we received a phone call from the man who married us and he asked us to

go on the Alpha course. Surprisingly, my husband decided to go and on the second night of Alpha he was

saved. That night, he was filled with the Holy Spirit and I was healed of my depression. Since then, my

marriage is restored.”

“Before Alpha, I lived a very sinful life

.

I put more drugs in my veins than you could imagine. I’ve

lived such a bad life. I didn’t know there was forgiveness for someone

like me. My Mom nagged and nagged me to come to Alpha. I turned

her down three times. The fourth time I went and I didn’t miss a

session. The weekend away I was filled with the Holy Spirit. I j

oined

the church and I married my wife Bobbi Jo- She was my table leader.”

Phil Jeansonne,

Pastor, Kenner LA

JESUS CHRIST

JESUS CH

RIST

IS GODIS GO

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MICHAEL RYBURN -Alpha ParticipantMICHAELRYBURN

ALPH

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“THE CHURCH HAS GROWN

TREMENDOUSLY FROM 250

WHEN WE STARTED ALPHA

TO 1400 ON THE WEEKENDS .”

“I am Indian, born into a Hindu family. I never quite

understood my own religion. I was interested in

Christianity and wanted to learn as much as I could.

My girlfriend and I found the Alpha course. The people

leading the course were so welcoming to everyone’s

questions. I recommend this to anyone who wants

some clarification to unanswered questions.

I am now building a strong relationship with God; I pray easily now and

fully accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. Ever since I was comfortable

with accepting this gift, I have never felt more complete and loved.” -Ad

“The church has grown tremendously from 250 when we started Alpha to 1,400 on the weekends now.” Phil Jeansonne, Pastor, Kenner LA

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utilize ALPH

Adenom

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ore than

from over 127

CHU

RCHES

IN N

EW EN

GLA

ND

CAM

E THRO

UG

H TH

E ALPH

A CO

URSE

IS EFFECTIVE

in spreading the Gospel,

leading to tens of thousands

of commitments to Christ.

of guests who take the Alpha Course make

a first time commitment or recommitment to

“Married for eight years, I was a Christian and he was not. He mentally abused me, and he pushed

me down as low as I could get. I was ready to die and to give up on God. I had prayed for my husband

for so long. All of a sudden - we received a phone call from the man who married us and he asked us to

go on the Alpha course. Surprisingly, my husband decided to go and on the second night of Alpha he was

saved. That night, he was filled with the Holy Spirit and I was healed of my depression. Since then, my

marriage is restored.”

“Before Alpha, I lived a very sinful life

.

I put more drugs in my veins than you could imagine. I’ve

lived such a bad life. I didn’t know there was forgiveness for someone

like me. My Mom nagged and nagged me to come to Alpha. I turned

her down three times. The fourth time I went and I didn’t miss a

session. The weekend away I was filled with the Holy Spirit. I j

oined

the church and I married my wife Bobbi Jo- She was my table leader.”

Phil Jeansonne,

Pastor, Kenner LA

JESUS CHRIST

JESUS CH

RIST

IS GODIS GO

D

MICHAEL RYBURN -Alpha ParticipantMICHAELRYBURN

ALPH

A IS A

MO

DEL

FOR

DY

NA

MIC

GR

OW

TH

“THE CHURCH HAS GROWN

TREMENDOUSLY FROM 250

WHEN WE STARTED ALPHA

TO 1400 ON THE WEEKENDS .”

“I am Indian, born into a Hindu family. I never quite

understood my own religion. I was interested in

Christianity and wanted to learn as much as I could.

My girlfriend and I found the Alpha course. The people

leading the course were so welcoming to everyone’s

questions. I recommend this to anyone who wants

some clarification to unanswered questions.

I am now building a strong relationship with God; I pray easily now and

fully accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. Ever since I was comfortable

with accepting this gift, I have never felt more complete and loved.” -Ad

“The church has grown tremendously from 250 when we started Alpha to 1,400 on the weekends now.” Phil Jeansonne, Pastor, Kenner LA

A MODEL FOR DYNAMIC GROWTH:• Release a process for kingdom growth that is sustainable,

accessible and adaptable

• Engage your generation with truth in a way that is both authentic and applicable

• Develop a community environment that leads people to Jesus and into the Church

• Guide people toward a personal encounter with God

• Energize your congregation for outreach

• Create a path to discipleship that raises up new leaders

13 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN THE ALPHA COURSE, NOW OFFERED IN 163 COUNTRIES, IN 81 LANGUAGES, BY OVER 100 DENOMINATIONS.

www.alphausa.org/growth

WHAT IS THE ALPHA AMERICAS CONFERENCE?The Alpha Conference is for churches and individuals who share the vision to reach their communities with the good news of Jesus Christ through the Alpha course. The conference welcomes delegates from across the Americas including Canada, Latin America and USA.

THE CONFERENCE PROVIDES:

Worship throughout the conference will be hosted by Brenton Brown and his band, covering some of his most popular songs such as Everlasting God.

THE CONFERENCE ALSO FEATURES HOW TO RUN THE MARRIAGE COURSE.

CALVARY CHURCH, NAPERVILLE, IL • JUNE 22&23 R E G I S T E R O N L I N E AT : www.alphausa.org/growthF O R M O R E I N F O C A L L : 1.800.DO.ALPHA

• Complete training in all aspects of how to run the Alpha course

• Advanced training to take your Alpha Course to the next level, to include:

• Attracting more non-Christians

• What happens after Alpha?

• Time for worship, prayer, ministry & networking with others of similar passions

• Tracks focused on specific areas of interest including:

• Reaching young adults

• Planting Churches with Alpha

• How to run Alpha in different contexts: youth, campus, prison, military and workplace

• Multicultural Alpha and Alpha ESOL

• Alpha en Español

• Alpha in a Catholic Context

NICKY GUMBEL is Senior Pastor of Holy Trinity Brompton Church (HTB), London. He took over the running of their Alpha

Course in 1990. Since that time the course has experienced phenomenal growth, with their Fall 2009 course attracting more than 750 guests from outside the church with the majority between the ages of 18-35. He speaks regularly at national and international conferences and his book “Questions of Life” has sold over one million copies. Nicky will be joined by the Alpha International team and experienced speakers from the Americas.

R E G I S T E R O N L I N E AT : www.alphausa.org/growthF O R M O R E I N F O C A L L : 1.800.DO.ALPHA

MAIN SPEAKER“ The Alpha course is a most engaging way of passing on the

basics of Christianity. It is a tool

for evangelism and nurture that

I highly recommend.” Dr. J.I. Packer, Professor of Theology, Regent College “ One of the most effective

evangelism tools for the 21st century.” Pastor Rick Warren, Saddleback Church “ ...we need a new evangelization...I look with

interest and appreciation to the

Alpha course....” Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, Preacher to Papal Household “ Alpha is a well-designed,

implemental program…The course meets the vital test of being both open and faithful - welcoming of all, while presenting the gospel message with clarity and power.” George Gallup Jr, Chairman, Gallup International Institute

“The miracle formula church leaders are hoping will reverse the religious

decline...”

“A novel approach to Christian education that has been catching on nationwide”

2275 Half Day Road, Suite 185

Bannockburn, IL 60015

1.800.DO.ALPHA

www.alphausa.org/growth