GAT team from Denver travels to Puerto Rico 

A team of 5 returned October 4th from Puerto Rico, where they trained and equipped 110 locals in the basics of how to run the Alpha Course.  Zósimo, Francisca, and Annie Álvarez, from Iglesia Nueva Vida in Lakewood, and José Garrigó and Nicole Sidebottom from the Alpha Colorado Regional Office, instructed the Puerto Rican delegates on the essential elements of Alpha, how to facilitate small groups, and how to integrate Alpha into their local context.

 

The training took place over 2 full days, in which the team and the delegates worked hard, practiced and roll-played, asked and answered questions and ministered to each other.  It was a fruitful and well-invested time.  We are most thankful to Rvda. Aída Álvarez who hosted us and Bishop Ilmo. David Andrés Álvarez from the Iglesia Episcopal Puertorriqueña who attended both days and encouraged the 26 churches present from the dioceses to implement Alpha.  Also, a Catholic parish was represented in the training.  Most of these churches are of a smaller size and could benefit from a tool like Alpha to reach the 4 million citizens of the island. 

 

Besides sharing in worship on Sunday, the team visited homes where we were graced with wonderful autochthonous dishes.  On Monday, we also offered training on the Marriage Course.  Two churches in Puerto Rico are already using the Marriage course and are seeing great miracles happening in their attendees. 

 

We thank our hosts for such an amazing welcome, encouragement and fellowship.  We admire them for their sacrifice as they worked long hours to make this a great reality.  Some even took vacation days to be able to have a successful event!