40+ Team Alpha participants Entered the Minnesota Half Marathon, 5k run, Or 1/2 marathon Rollerblade in St. Paul, MN this Summer

The biggest Team Alpha event to date took place in MN on August 6, 2011.  Enjoy the slideshow! 

Here's some of encouraging things the team said about their experience and what God did:

The event was fantastic. Lots of great energy. We had a chance to talk with people about Alpha. Several asked about Alpha because there were SO MANY red shirts…including the announcer, who said over the microphone as we started the 5K, “Go Team Alpha!" Steve Gartland, Regional Director Alpha USA/Twin Cities

I loved it!!! I loved being part of a team and cheering each other to keep going, even when it was getting hard...(just like life, encouraging each other to keep going) I was able to run with 3 different people I didn't know and had good conversation, one of them asked what Alpha was, and I was able to share with them. After the run, someone that wasn't a believer came up to me and asked me to share my story with them. How I came to know God. So I shared my story and the hope and peace that is found in Jesus. This same man talked to someone in the 5k and they shared Jesus with him too. That divine appt made this whole training and run worth it!!! I can't wait to run with eternal purpose again!!! Wendy Killian

‎1. Passing by strangers on the run in red Alpha shirts and knowing in my heart they are in love and passionate over the same Savior, Jesus Christ, as I am. 2. A stranger asking me "What is Alpha" and speaking with him for a few miles on how he can find a course. Ahhh...thank-you Lord! Susan Lehman

The thought of how much Alpha has helped me, makes me want everyone to know what Alpha is. Knowing that someone saw one of our RED shirts, and maybe did not have the courage to ask what Alpha is, but went home and googled it. Just knowing that we were out there, getting the word out there, makes it worth it! Amanda Palodichuk

I remember being excited by the thought that someone's testimony some day will be, "I ran in a race a few years back, and saw all these people wearing red shirts that said 'Alpha' on them, so I went home and looked it up on my computer..." My favorite parts were hearing that my training buddy made it through the 5k despite an injury (go Kris!!), and hearing my wife say she's excited to run another race. Also, I was pretty excited I managed to finish the race! Dan Wendt

I was able to run the 3miles. I wasn’t planning to run. I just started to jog and asked God to help me to finish. I have never ran that distance before that event. God also placed a man next to me half way through the race. He wanted to know what the meaning to life was. He was referring to our logo on the back of our shirts, it opened a door of opportunity to witness. He struggled with some similar physical issues that I do. It was so amazing how the conversation went on. I left him thinking to reconsider trying God in his life. He believes in evolution. I know it was ALL GOD ordained. Kim (ECC)

This was so much fun. I never would've made it without all the cheering and encouragement. It's amazing how powerful we are to one another! Rebecca Glick

Brenda Taylor! (clap, clap, clap) Lenny Ouradnik

Since this was my first run I wasn't sure what to expect...I had a great time today. I really enjoyed getting to meet so many new people. As you know when you start coming to a new church that is so large it is really hard to get to know people. I really feel like God has used Team Alpha to help me make some connections. I am looking forward to the next run. Can you email me about some other races that you guys are going to be in? Again thank you for everything, Sheryl Lucas

I was happy I beat my Dad in the 5K, and ran with my cousins, for Team Alpha. Josiah Taylor (12)

With my "miracle" run, this hit me, in the center of my heart!! "I am beginning to understand that faith is not the way around pain, it is the way through pain. Faith doesn't get rid of the opposition, it invites it over for dinner. Faith doesn't give you the winning point at the last second, it ties the game and sends you into overtime. Faith doesn't give you the solution, it forces you to find it." - Mike Yaconelli (Susan Lehman/Team Alpha, from Hosanna, sent this to me) Our God is faithful, and He loves us! I know He saw each one of us, as we ran or walked! He answered every prayer, we prayed! As I took that first step, standing next to my training partners, and sister; my faith locked, knowing, believing, trusting that God was going to see me through every mile! He flooded my heart with promise after promise, to stand on! Like; Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." AND 20 "God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that I ask or think, according to the power that works in me." (Eph. 3:20) AND Philippians 4:13 "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." I had injured my knee running. I would ice it, cut way back on training...I had many praying for me, and some prayed with me. Some of my closest friends, would come up to me, and say things, like, "I know you are going to run", or "God is going to heal you, when you take your first step". I tucked these words away in my heart. Brenda Taylor, Team Alpha Coordinator