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Fr. Kenneth
My journey with ALPHA was genuinely a work of the Holy Spirit. I first came to know of Alpha when I was doing post-graduate research abroad on contemporary religious experiences in a largely secular society. How do people re-discover Jesus in a world that is previously highly Christian? How do people re-discover Jesus when the name and person are not exactly new to them? I read some materials, but during that time, Alpha was just a subject matter for study.
Returning to the Philippines, after some years, I received a text message inviting me to attend a conference on Alpha in Kuala Lumpur for the Leadership Conference in 2019. There I met other Christian evangelizers whose lives were transformed by God, in coming to know Jesus through Alpha, and who have taken the ministry of evangelizing others also through Alpha across denominational boundaries. What was once a topic in my mind became a content of my heart when I started to listen to testimonies of conversion and experience first-hand what Alpha is about. It didn’t take long for me to start an Alpha Course in the parish where I was assigned, and never regretted starting one. Since then, I’ve become an ardent promotor of Alpha as an effective, simple, yet transforming tool “to make disciples of all nations” (Mt. 28:19).
When Pope Francis invited us to dream a “missionary option”, “a missionary impulse capable of transforming everything, so that the Church’s customs, ways of doing things, times and schedules, language and structures can be suitably channeled for the evangelization of today’s world,” in all Catholic parishes, (Evangelii Gaudium, 27), I am happy that Alpha has been instrumental in making and forming missionary disciples in the Catholic parishes in Europe, in North America, in Asia, and in the Philippines. It is providential that this coincides with the 500 years of evangelization of our country.
My journey with Alpha was full of surprising turns, challenges, and excitement, but that’s the life of someone who has come to know, love, and follow Jesus. I just hope and pray that through Alpha, others may come and share in this life-transforming journey. Alpha reminds us that Christian discipleship is not about us. It’ about the Father who calls, the Son whom we encounter, and the Holy Spirit who is with us each step of the journey.
Joseph Etienne A. Morales
Lead Pastor New Life North Metro
It was seven years ago when New Life North Metro got introduced to ALPHA. We were looking for new and better ways to connect to people.
I clearly remember the Lord saying to me, “We do not need to reinvent the wheel” for evangelism but simply trust that ALPHA will work.
We trained and familiarized ourselves with the content for two years, but it was worth it. ALPHA is a great tool to evangelize our city, establish a firm foundation in our faith, and excite the congregants to volunteer and take ownership of the church.
Even during the pandemic, the online ALPHA Film Series and ALPHA Youth Series allowed us to continue with our ministry. We also launched the online Marriage and Pre-Marriage Course. We are a testament that these courses are a great way to strengthen the unity and connection of the church. It is a blessing that is so freely available for the community.
Cardinal Christoph Schönborn
Archbishop of Vienna — Austria
“What I like in all that I have seen and heard about Alpha is the simplicity. For me, the Christian life has something to do with simplicity, friendship, closeness and joy. That’s what I feel about Alpha and I think that’s a sign that it works and that it’s given from the Lord.”
Cardinal Mark Ouellet
Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America — Vatican
“The Alpha experience is not only a means through which one finds true life, but also a way to share the good news of the Living Christ.”
Cardinal Raymundo Damasceno
President of the Brazilian Bishops’ Conference and Archbishop of Aparecida — Brazil
“I recommend Alpha; an excellent method for the first proclamation of the gospel.”
Archbishop Alfred Martins
Archbishop of Lagos — Nigeria
“Alpha aims to help people to either discover or rediscover the meaning and joy of the Christian message. It gives one an opportunity to leverage on the experiences of others in a friendly warm and simple atmosphere. Alpha is an invaluable tool for evangelisation.”
Cardinal Gérald Lacroix
Archbishop of Quebec — Canada
“I have had the privilege of participating in various Alphas in Quebec and have witnessed how lives are changed and how the participants are touched by the teachings, witnessing and fellowship experienced during the course. The method is simple yet very effective. Small groups are definitely a key to the success of this tool of New Evangelisation.”
Archbishop Mark Coleridge
Archbishop of Brisbane — Australia
“For many years now and in various parts of the world, Alpha has shown itself powerful in bringing faith alive in all kinds of people. Its focus is on Jesus, its method is simple and its appeal is wide-ranging. It is also well adapted for use in Catholic communities looking to provide the kind of ignition we need if we are to become a more missionary Church.”
Archbishop Allen Vigneron
Archbishop of Detroit — USA
“Many parishes in the Archdiocese of Detroit have found Alpha a great tool for helping men and women hear the initial proclamation of the gospel. I am pleased that our use of Alpha with the archdiocesan staff has invited a recommitment to the basic truths of the gospel.”
Cardinal Kurt Koch
President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity — Vatican
“Through Alpha, and the testimonies of those who participated in their sessions and groups, faith is renewed, rekindle, takes root.”
Archbishop Octavio Ruiz
Secretary for the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelisation — Vatican
“Alpha, which I have had the opportunity to attend … is a providential tool because it precisely tries to reach out to those who are far from the Church, who are indifferent to the faith. By means of a very simple and humane tool based on fraternity and friendship, Christ is introduced to them and enters little by little into their hearts…”
Archbishop Rino Fisichella
President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelisation — Vatican
“Alpha is without doubt a great experience of new evangelisation.”
Cardinal Miloslav Vlk
Archbishop Emeritus of Prague — Czech Republic
“Alpha is clearly a gift of God. Because people want to experience and touch God, the God that is near and Alpha provides the frame for this.”