What is Alpha

Alrighty, since I wrote about Alpha, some has asked me what it is? :)
So jackey, here is what the brochure wrote :). I will attempt to add value to what is said in the brochure but then again I am new too to this program.

Okie dokie, I will cut and paste the information i got. At least that's the formal one, heheh.

What is Alpha?
The Alpha Course is an 11 week practical introduction to the Christian faith. It is relaxed, non-threatening, thought-provoking, friendly and fun. Listen, learn, discuss and discover. Ask anything. Alpha is a place where no question is regarded as too simple or too hostile.

Who is Alpha for?
Alpha is for everyone, especially
those who want to find out more about Christianity
new Christians
those who want to brush up on the basics
those who want to be more effective in sharing their Christian faith

What is involved?
The Alpha Course consists of a series of fourteen video talks by Nicky Gumbel (see schedule at the back). After each talk, participants are divided into small groups for a time of discussion and interaction. A meal and refreshments will be served at each session.

What will it cost?
There is no charge for Alpha although freewill contributions are welcome.


So you ask, why then does mystic_grey needs to go. She is already a christian. Let me share with you why I was interested in this program. What caught my eye.

There are a few topics which are discussed in Alpha program and during the introductory program... it was mentioned... Everyone has Questions about life!!!! YUP YUP YUP thats me.... blinking like a bright bulb.

And one of the topics listed was "How Can I make the most of the rest of my life?"

Yes thats what i want to know! I have mentioned to friends before that I feel like my life is meaningless. Last year was the worse year of my life. The year where I even considered ending my life. Ironically that was also the year that I felt God presence so close to me like I never felt before. I have been questioning about life for a long time and my purpose here.

Couple of years ago, I was so adamant to find out more about what does it mean for me being a christian; not only as a Christian but also as a Catholic. Maybe its good that I give a bit of background of how I became a Christian.

My mom has always been a catholic. Her whole life, all her sibillings up to her grandmother; my great grandmother. When mom married dad (who is by the way, a free thinker and still is), she didn't go regularly to church anymore. But we have always been taught about her faith. About how to say our father, hail marys , about st.anne's feast and such. When I was in standard 4 , I decided to go to sunday school - following one of my friends. My mom wasn't too happy about the idea as she thought that now, the priest and all will come after her for not sending us for sunday school. It was the one and only one sunday school class i attended.

Then I guess God opened up her heart, when I was in secondary school, I went to learn with a sister at the convent school together with my elder brother and my sister. My younger brother, was the only special person :) well he went to sunday school, baptised when he was young. Even before that day, I went regularly to church. I found my belief.

I was asked once during my philosophy class by the professor : you're a christian, how do you know there's a God! You haven't seen God before. I remembered clearly the answer I gave him. I said, yes I haven't seen God but its like the air, do you see it? you don't right? yet you know its there, you know of its existence. That's how God is. You just know and its faith.

DEEEP huh!!! i remember that till today.

Back to the story, its not easy being a catholic nor a christian, every step of the way, you're scrutinized. People watch you closely - to point out the mistakes that you do and always the infamous phrase " But you're a Christian" yea I am a christian but I am also human. Everyday I strive to be good christian. Also being a catholic who was baptised only when I was a teenager, you get fellow catholics asking you " ooooohhh so you're not a cradle catholic" whatever that means... so who's born a catholic :P At least I had the chance to choose my faith and a faith I know I would follow throughout my life.

My journey as a Christian has its ups and downs. Some days I am just way high up there spiritually, some times I am just down to the pits. Couple of years ago, I decided, I want to be involve in the church, to know the community that I am part of. So it began - a journey of search. That year, I took the discipleship class, tough tough... read the bible, do home work, attend weekly classes. then after that I took the sign language class with the hearing impaired ministry. Still search for which ministry God wants me to serve. On top of that, I also went for Choice. Choice is another story :) but its the ministry for single adults. A ministry where I served for 3 years.... and then recently decided to find something else... I am still searching for the ministry God wants me to serve.

See even as a baptised Catholic, I still search for answers. Therefore alpha I believe will unearth things I never knew before or knew but never put it into the right place.

I am not perfect nor am I all knowing about my faith. I am not ashame to say this as I believe - Any sort of knowledge will help me grow closer too God.

This Alpha program is actually a Protestan program but now its reached the shores of the catholic church and its all about faith not about whether you're catholic , protestan or .... other denomination. Jesus is for everyone.

Nicky Gumble is the person who pioneered the Alpha program. He wasn't a christian before but now he is and pastor whats more. The things he says truely makes sense.

In one of the books - Why Jesus? he wrote this.

Christianity is first and foremost about relationships rather than rules. It is about a person more than a philosophy. Its about the most important relationship of all : our relationship with God who made us. .........

Why do we need HIM?

You and I were created to live in a relationsip with God. Until we find that relationship there will always be something missing in our lives. As a result, we are often aware of a gap. One rock singer described it by saying: " I 've got an emptiness deep inside"........... People try to fill this emptiness in various ways. Some try to close the gap with money, but that does not satisfy... Others try drugs or excess alcohol or secual promiscuity..... ................. Nothing will fill this gap excet the relationship with God for which we were made....

So do you think its true? I think thats so rite. I feel that emptiness inside me eventhough I know God. maybe I dont' know God deep enough. Maybe I dont' trust enough. Or maybe my relationship with HIM isn't deep enough. Yes, that's my goal to build a closer relationship with HIM.

Like I told a friend before, I want to do something where by the end of the day, I feel that I have done a good job , helped someone, changed someone's life or even to have the slightest impact in another person's life. Wouldn't life be worth living then?