Alliance Uses Alpha Outreach

March 26, 2014

Eighteen people, seven of whom are unchurched, discussed the question during a recent Alpha course gathering at an Alliance church plant led by Todd and Terri Althaus in Bordeaux-Mérignac, France. The Alpha course, an international outreach that has drawn more than 2 million people in nearly 200 countries,* gives attendees the opportunity to explore the meaning of life in a neutral, relaxed setting.

“Our visitors represented a wide variety of firmly held beliefs, including New Age occult practices, out-of-body experiences, and a deistic philosophy of God with no need of Jesus,” the Althauses report. “Some simply are turned off to the church.”

Other Alliance leaders who use the Alpha course have seen positive results. Recently, three people placed their trust in Jesus and were baptized after attending an Alpha course at Eglise Protestante Internationale (EPI), the French-speaking international church plant in Léguevin, France, led by Alliance team members Brad and Tina Reynolds. “During this 10-week study of God’s Word, participants—most of whom are not believers—ask questions and tell how they have been disillusioned by religion,” Brad explains. “We pray for their needs and celebrate with them when they see God answer their prayers.”

Excited about the positive feedback received after the first meeting, the Althauses realize that persevering prayer and diligent follow through are required in the coming weeks, knowing  change will occur only as “the Holy Spirit takes the truth and personally applies it to each individual life.”

* Source: http://guest.alphausa.org/