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What Denomination Is Alpha?
Alpha aims to present the core truths of the Christian faith around which Christians of every major denomination can unit. Alpha is currently running in churches of all major denominations: Episcopal/Anglican, Baptist, Free Church, Lutheran, Methodist, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, Salvation Army and United Reformed. It is also being run in a large number of house churches and new churches.
Click below to hear more about Alpha in specific denominations.
Episcopal / Anglican
Baptist
Methodist
Pentecostal
Presbyterian
Roman Catholic
Salvation Army
Episcopal / Anglican
Seven Archbishops of the worldwide Anglican communion and numerous bishops are recommending Alpha. The Archbishop of Canterbury has spoken frequently of his support for Alpha saying, "I commend it wholeheartedly." He writes of how he had, "strongly supported the growth of Alpha over recent years," and of his, "delight at the Initiative."
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Baptist
Throughout the world, Baptist churches using Alpha are reporting significant increases in the number of baptisms among their congregations as people come to faith.
UK Baptist Union General Secretary, David Coffey, said: "The Alpha course has been of enormous value to churches in strengthening fellowship and increasing effective evangelism in the local community."
Duncan Banks, of Banbury Baptist Church, Oxfordshire, England, said, "I have been involved in full-time, front line evangelism for the past decade, both nationally and at local church level. I have never found a more significant tool for my trade than Alpha."
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Methodist
The Alpha course is running in hundreds of Methodist churches worldwide and is being recommended by a wide variety of national and international Methodist leaders.
Ashley Cooper, National Evangelist, Methodist Church, said, "I firmly believe Alpha is a gift of God to the church in this day and give thanks for its continued success in bringing people into a relationship with Jesus. As part of the national evangelism team in the Methodist church, I will be offering Alpha as a key tool within any church mission programme."
The Rev'd Mike Crommelin, a Methodist minister in Cape Town and National Alpha coordinator for South Africa, said that, "John Wesley would have approved - the course could easily have been written by a Methodist."
"Alpha is a God-inspired means of telling others of the love of Jesus," believes the Rev'd Dr. Ken Wilson, President of the Methodist Church of Ireland.
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Pentecostal
Many Pentecostal churches include the Alpha course as part of their evangelism strategies.
George Werner, Mission Canada, PAOC, says:
"If the purpose of the church leadership is to equip Christ-followers for the work of the Gospel, then Alpha is a necessary piece of equipment for them to have available. Alpha can provide that warm communal context where individuals can bring their friends to ask their questions about faith in Jesus and discover the answers in conversation with others around Nicky Gumbel’s teaching. It allows the local church to pour grace and love out on its community by offering friendship and hospitality. And, the cross-denominational appeal of the program promotes unity among churches as they focus on our common cause and vision – making true followers of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Alpha has a divine favour resting on it, and has proven effective wherever it has been prayerfully employed."
Ed Wright, a Pentecostal pastor from Columbus, Ohio, USA, said, "Alpha has given us a model for effective evangelism. Relationships are formed on Alpha and unchurched participants are loved even before they are saved."
Paul Mercy, Assistant General Superintendent, Assemblies of God, said, "Alpha is easily the best Christian foundation course I know of. We found it exciting, easy to grasp and practical - excellent!"
Gordon D. Fee, Professor of New Testament and Dean of Faculty, Regent College, Vancouver, Canada, said, "At the heart of the gospel is both evangelism and discipleship. Alpha courses are designed to do both effectively. We have used the programme in our local church with good success."
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Presbyterian
Hundreds of other Alpha courses are running in Presbyterian churches throughout Scotland and, increasingly, around the world. Dr Roberta Hestenes, Senior Pastor, Solaria Beach Presbyterian Church, California, said, "The experience of our congregation with Alpha has been profound. People have come to new faith, older Christians have been renewed, and all those involved are wildly enthusiastic about it."
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Roman Catholic
Demand for Alpha among Roman Catholics has proved so strong that Alpha for Catholics offices have been set up in the UK and USA. The Rt. Rev'd Ambrose Griffiths OSB, Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, said, "The course is simple, direct, illustrated by wonderful stories... It doesn't contain anything that is contrary to Catholic doctrine…I think it has a great deal to give us. I am aware of churches where they have done it. They are growing. That is surely the testimony we want."
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Salvation Army
Many Salvation Army Corps now use Alpha. Captain Malcolm Knightly from Devonport, England, said that he feels, 'the Alpha course is by far the best and most effective means we have at present to challenge existing Christians and at the same time reach those who have no knowledge of the Christian faith. This prompts existing believers to look seriously where their own commitment really lies."
Major James Condon, Bescombe, England stated, "After twenty-seven years of officership I would say this is the most effective means of evangelism I have ever used."
"There is certainly a greater spiritual awareness within the corps as a result of Alpha," says Major David Hird, Edinburgh Gorgie, Scotland.
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