Yesterday, I had my first introduction to the “Alpha” course. Alpha is a process by which people can explore the meaning of life, and ask any question in a relevant, respectful, and relational manner. We have heard about it for years through our friends in South Africa – Skip and Sheila Collins.

We were recently introduced to Alpha through our young friends Nate and Mary Kurz, as they returned from a year of church ministry in England. They had been a part of the Alpha course in the church where they were serving. They spoke very highly of it, and had a desire to use it here in the US. So, we decided to go to the orientation event held yesterday in Naperville, to check it out for ourselves. Nate and Mary were there, along with Valery and Ruth Dodgson.

I learned that Alpha was developed by a church in London, England called Holy Trinity Brompton, and the vicar there named Nicky Gumbel. Today, over 10 million people in 163 countries have been through the Alpha course. Here is a link to the UK website, and here is the USA website.

I am intrigued with what I heard and saw yesterday and am seriously considering hosting this course in some way in the near future.