Endorsement
Fr. Kenneth Masong
Novice, The Order of Clerics of Regular Minor of Adorno Fathers
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.
