What Church Leaders Say about Alpha

"The Alpha format is definitely a huge improvement and right for our time, because process is involved instead of a quick presentation and it is more communal."

Tim Keller
Author and Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church

________________________________________________

“Most of us skip bases in developing our faith, leaving us plagued with unanswered questions. Alpha fills the gaps. Alpha fosters spiritual peace and stability.”

Bob Buford

Founder, Leadership Network

Author, Halftime: Moving from Success to Significance 

"I know of many people whose lives have been transformed through the Alpha Course. I rejoice at how God is using it so powerfully to renew many churches both inside and outside prison walls.”

Charles W. Colson

Prison Fellowship Ministries     

"...we need a new evangelization which, while being open to all the fullness of the truth and the Christian life, will yet be simple and basic. This is the reason why I look with interest and appreciation to the Alpha Course. It seems to me that it answers precisely this need of ours.The very name shows this. It is not called “Alpha and Omega course” but simply “Alpha Course” because it doesn’t claim to lead people from beginning to end in faith; only to help them get acquainted with it, to foster a personal encounter with Jesus, leaving it to other Church departments to develop the newly rekindled faith.

Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa
Preacher to the Papal Household

“Out of England comes an exciting new program which is moving churches around the world from maintenance to mission. Alpha is a well-designed, implementable program that addresses the basic questions of life for the churched and unchurched alike. Through Alpha, Jesus Christ is capturing the hearts and minds of an ever-growing number of persons. 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.

The George H. Gallup International Institute

________________________________________________

“Praise the Lord for Alpha. I am sold on the curriculum and using it in our mentor and pre-release programs as we prepare the offenders for release and reentry into community. The Alpha curriculum is a powerful evangelism tool to turn people from crime to Christ.”

Jerry Groom

Administrator, Chaplaincy Program

Huntsville, TX

________________________________________________ 

“In recent years Nicky Gumbel has helped millions of people consider the claims of Jesus Christ in fresh and stimulating ways through a course he put together called Alpha. It is in 130 countries throughout the world. It has swept Europe, Africa and increasingly the U.S., and very few people alive have done this much to help people far from God draw nearer to Him – and many find Him.” 

Bill Hybels

Senior Pastor, Willow Creek Community Church 

Chairman of the Board, Willow Creek Association  

________________________________________________

“Every person I have ever talked to who has gone through Alpha has had nothing but wonderful, wonderful things to say about how God used it to transform their thinking and understanding of what it means to follow Jesus.”

Founding Pastor, Vintage Faith Church

Santa Cruz, CA

________________________________________________

“God's primary plan for evangelism has always been to use people to reach people. Most Christ-followers want to be part of this, but don't know how. No one I know helps people in the church get out of the bleachers and into the game like Alpha.”

John Ortberg

Best-selling Christian author, and Pastor, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church

________________________________________________  

“There are many ways to carry out the new evangelization. Alpha is one of the most effective. It is a well-thought-out approach if you or others in your parish are looking for an avenue to reach those outside of the Church. More Catholic churches in our area are using the course and are seeing lives changed as a result.”

Most Reverend Harry J. Flynn, D.D.
Archbishop Emeritus, Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota 

“We need evangelism today that's authentic, relational, and process-oriented, which is why I'm thrilled to be partnering with Alpha to offer a conference on how churches and individuals can reach out in a natural and effective way.”

Lee Strobel

Best-selling Christian author

________________________________________________ 

“It's great to see how Alpha has been used to reach people with the good news of Jesus Christ, who wouldn't normally come to church.  This resource is very complementary to helping seekers connect with The Purpose Driven Life.”

“For many years the team has pursued a path of innovative evangelism with particular focus on young seekers.  Our free festivals combine contemporary music, action sports and family activities to draw young people and families to a welcoming environment where the Good News can be joyously shared. The Alpha course has been an invaluable follow-up tool for those who make a decision to follow Christ.

“We know that the days and weeks following a conversion are absolutely critical in starting new believers on their Christian walk. We also know that the Alpha organization has years of experience in answering the critical 'questions of life' and we recommend the course without hesitation to all new believers.

“God has truly blessed the Alpha team and the millions who have attended their courses in over 160 countries. I pray our organizations will continue in partnership and purpose as we strive to reach the world for Jesus Christ.”

Luis Palau  

President, Luis Palau Association

________________________________________________ 

“Alpha is one of the finest means for evangelism in the world today. I get reports from Europe...about its impact.

“But more I'm a first-hand witness as a part of the Alpha team at our local church. Through food, authentic friendship and good solid gospel content, people interested in spirituality are nudged toward the answer to their search in Jesus Christ. That's why we are glad to co-sponsor the Alpha National Conference this year.”

Lon Allison

Director, Billy Graham Center, Wheaton College

________________________________________________ 

"Many of our Catholic parishioners have benefited from the Alpha course by way of its building on their initial interest in the Church, as a pre-catechumenate experience, or for others, a renewal of their desire to more deeply understand and live their Catholic faith. Life-long faith formation is a priority for our religious education programs and I am grateful for the efforts of those who seek to assist with this important work. Should pastors of our parishes wish to utilize the Alpha course as part of their religious education curriculum they can do so with my approval."

Cardinal O’Malley
Archdiocese of Boston

“One of the objectives of the Mission America Coalition is to ‘love our communities to Christ.’ We do this by partnering with local churches, market place movements and evangelical organizations. Alpha is one of our partners. They have a proven outreach tool that churches across the country are using to reach the lost and change their communities. At Alpha conferences and training events you will learn all about this tool, the Invitation.”

Paul Cedar

Mission America

________________________________________________ 

"I encourage my readers and viewers to learn more about the Alpha course. Alpha is a great way to put into action all that we learn through in-depth Bible study; Alpha is a tool for mobilizing men and women to present the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost. God is blessing the Alpha approach to evangelism, we see that in the millions of people who have attended an Alpha course worldwide and have given their life to Christ."