'As my preconception
was that I was one of only a few people who thought it was
important to freely discuss life’s core issues, the
course was a great opportunity to find so many other people
looking for meaning in life.
'The course met my instinctive need
to discuss and reflect on life - it’s worth dedicating
an hour a week to wondering what the rest of the week
has been about!
'I’m still not a Christian or
religious, but I feel the course has changed me for the
better.'
Anon, UK
'Involvement in the Alpha course has
taught me many things, but most importantly, I realised
that the support and encouragement of others is critical
to fostering an atmosphere conducive to spiritual exploration
and growth. In other words, this is not a solo sport.
'Initially, I thought I had closed
the door on God, but after a few weeks of Alpha I realised
the door was in fact open; I had just left God in the
reception area of my life, while I was occupied elsewhere.
'My wife has watched me over the past
months and has commented on how I have become infused
with a sense of peace and calm that she has not witnessed
in me before.
I've stopped trying to influence future
events and trying to control so many life issues, and
instead I'm learning to live in each day and for each
day, one at a time.'
Neil, Canada
'I am glad that I attended the Alpha
course. It definitely made me understand more about the
meaning of life. Christianity is about relationships rather
than rules and is about people rather than philosophy.
Most of all it is about God who loves us.'
Eddie, Singapore
'I had decided early on in life that
Christianity wasn't for me, and was certainly apprehensive
and suspicious prior to attending my first Alpha meeting.
'However, I soon began to enjoy the
opportunity the course gave me to step away from the frenzied
business world and enter an atmosphere of calm in which
I could consider things I’d not been giving any time
to in my life.
'There was no pressure - I could choose
to say as little or as much as I wanted; I could just
sit and listen or I could question or challenge, and I
did quite a bit of challenging!
'I could absorb the course into my
workday without sacrificing something else. As the weeks
went by, camaraderie developed between the people around
the table, and I found it interesting to hear what they
had to say about the different issues.
'So I would recommend the course? Yes,
without hesitation. What I would say to people is:“You’ve
got nothing to lose – go for it with an open mind
- it might turn out to be the best investment you’ll
ever make.”'
Anon, UK
'Attending the Alpha course has quite
simply changed my life. I had some level of faith in my
late teens, but university life and my ambitious twenties
drew me towards more worldly ideas of what was important
in life. There was, however, always something missing.
'Alpha advertised itself as getting
to the point of life, and for me, it has done exactly
that. I have opened the door to Jesus and asked him into
my life again, and I know that my life has changed forever.
It is only when I look back that I realise how superficial
life has been without God.
'Alpha is the most amazing way of introducing
- or reinforcing - the basics of Christianity, in an intellectually
stimulating, relevant and non-threatening environment.
It emphasises the central importance of the relationship
with God and the difference it makes to everyday life.'
Anon, UK
What
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