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Quick Steps to start a campus alpha course
Here are some simple steps to begin your Campus Alpha course. For detailed steps and directions, purchase up a copy of the Campus Alpha Leaders Guide.
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Pray and begin recruiting friends
Successful Alpha courses are always founded in prayer. It's very important to begin seeking God for direction and asking Him for the right people to help you launch a course.
Take some time to review and familiarize yourself with the Campus Alpha talks. |
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Attend a local Alpha training or conference (http://www.alphausa.org/events)
This will help you to understand the DNA of Alpha and to get all the resources you need, plus answer any questions you may have. If there isn't any training in your area coming up please contact us and we can connect you to someone who can help.
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Appoint an administrator
This isn't as scary as it sounds! Basically you just need to find one person who has a heart for reaching pre-Christians, is enthusiastic, organized, able to delegate and has the time to start the course and keep it going. Choose a start-up date, register your course and begin preparing your team.
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Select hosts and helpers
The ideal group size is 12 in total for which you will need 2 hosts, 2 helpers and 8 guests. You can have as many groups as you can accommodate. When selecting your small group team, look for people who are outgoing, patient and confident. Ask yourself the question, “Would I want my best friend, who does not have a living relationship with Jesus, to talk to this person about Christianity?” If the answer is “no” then we suggest they not be a host or helper.
Hosts are small group leaders but their role is more like a host welcoming guests to their home. They help in facilitating the conversation rather than a leader who teaches during the small group time. Helpers are to build friendships with the guests, provide prayer support and help the small group discussion time.
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Choose your venue
Campus Alpha courses can take place just about anywhere! Be creative! The most successful courses are those run on neutral ground. Set up your course so it's a place pre-Christian guests will feel comfortable and in an easy to get to location.
Also discuss with your team where to hold your weekend away or retreat. The weekend/day away is when the course looks at the person and work of the Holy Spirit and is normally the time when friendships grow stronger within the groups and individuals most often confess faith in Christ.
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Promote your course
Pray about how the Lord wants you to advertise your course. Friends inviting friends is always the most successful way. However, we have Campus posters, post-cards etc. that are available for purchase. Moreover, we have free Campus Alpha/young adult logos, headers and video downloads on our media page.
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Train Hosts and Helpers
Set aside a couple hours before the initial launch of your course to have everyone on your team watch the Campus training videos, pray and talk through the details for your course. This is a great opportunity to get everyone on the same page.
Hosting an Alpha small group is very different from other small groups, so it is important all Hosts and Helpers attend this training, no matter how may times they have been involved with hosting small groups before. Also, if you haven't already done so, take a moment to review the first of the seven talks, Is This It?
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Plan a "wicked" launch party
The initial launch or first evening together is the first taste of what Alpha is all about. It can be as BIG as you want (battle of the bands, black tie dinner, etc.) or as small as you want (a few friends gathering for pizza or coffee). The key is to make it memorable and make it fun. At the launch, ask those attending if they would like to continue meeting. Register people for the course if appropriate. The course should start the following week, preferably at the same location.
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If you haven't already, register your course
We want to know you're out there! Registering puts you into our national directory and allows visitors to find information about when your course meets and how to contact you if they want to join. Registering helps us to get you resources and materials for your course. Registering puts you on our prayer list and your course will be prayed for every Wednesday. Welcome to the Alpha family!
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For more information on running a Campus course go to FAQ's.
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