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The Alpha Course
Invite people to ask life's important questions.
Create a space for people to explore
Create a culture of invitation
Create a leadership equipping pipeline
Before you begin

We want to accompany you as you discern with the Holy Spirit where your parish is being called and the best next step for your parish. We are here to help you through implementing The Alpha Course every step of the way.

Hi, I’m Eric Chow, Director of Proclaim for the Archdiocese of Vancouver. I would love to support you in implementing Alpha in your parish. Give me call to get started.
Explore our Parish Self Assessment tool, which helps you thoughtfully examine and identify the needs of your parish.
About the Alpha Course

Alpha helps create a space for honest conversation around some of life’s biggest questions. It is designed to provide guests an opportunity to connect with one another while providing the opportunity to share thoughts, ideas, and opinions in a safe and caring environment. Alpha helps bring people together while providing the chance to encounter Jesus.

VISIT ALPHACANADA.ORG
Benefits
Leaders

A framework of invitation to evangelism

Opportunity to create space for hospitality

A leader equipping pipeline

Participants

A space for anyone at any stage of faith

Teach parishioners to learn how to talk about the gospel

Create an opportunity to evangelize your community

Program overview
Essential Elements

Meal, video series, small group discussion, weekend retreat

Team

Facilitator, table hosts, kitchen team

Schedule

Frequency & Length: 11 weeks of sessions / ~2 hour long sessions

Cost

Free

About Alpha

Alpha is about equipping churches, ministries, and individuals to help others discover and develop a relationship with Jesus.

VIEW ALPHA IN A CATHOLIC CONTEXT
FAQ with Eric
Alpha's online training portal is second to none. I have personally not seen any ministry training as robust and practically helpful as Run Alpha. As well, here in Vancouver, Proclaim offers regular Alpha Training if you are trying to decide to Run Alpha, or expand on what you're currently doing. I'd be happy to connect and offer training for you and your team, as well.
Yes! The seven best practices for running Alpha include prayer, meal, discussion, videos, the weekend retreat, small groups, and evangelistic position. I highly encourage incorporating each of these elements into your Alpha Course.
Although Alpha was created by the Church of England, The Alpha Course shares the same fundamental message of the Gospel that is proclaimed by Catholics. The course is great at communicating who Jesus is and His mission in a language that reaches people in their earliest stages of exploring Christianity and asking life's biggest questions. If you're interested in a program that invites lapsed Catholics into discipleship, I recommend The Rescue Project.
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Testimonials

Bishop Geliz Estevez, Diocese of St. Augustine, Florida

“Alpha is a providential gift for us all. Alpha has the freshness of Christ; it reflects the aroma of Christ.”

More from clergy across North America:

How do I run this?

Run Alpha is an online platform that equips you with everything you need to run a successful Alpha Course. Get everything from the training videos, checklists, and marketing resources to help you with easy implementation.

VISIT RUN ALPHA
Related resources

VIDEO

Alpha Stories

Watch how lives and communities have been transformed by the gospel.

PROCLAIM PODCAST

Alpha, Discovery, and Proclaiming the Radical Love of God

In this episode of the Proclaim podcast, Jason and Heather talk with Brett Powell about Alpha and Discovery, two tools for evangelization being employed in ...

ONLINE RESOURCE

Alpha in a Catholic Context

Equipping your parish in its mission to help people discover Jesus.

PROCLAIM PODCAST

The Primacy of Evangelization

In Part 2 of our series with Fr. James Mallon, Brett and Jason speak with him about how crucial it is to give primacy to evangelization in the Church today.

ARTICLE

Is Alpha Catholic Enough?

Related programs
The Rescue Project
An experience of the gospel surrounded by food, conversation and prayer.
The Discovery Study
Discovery leads you through a simple but personally challenging look at the Gospel message.
Evangelize Beyond

PODCAST EPISODE

The Steps to Becoming an Evangelizing Parish with Fr. John & Mary

The criticalness of parish staff as the spinal cord of the body, 3 essential principles for transforming the Church, and more.

PODCAST EPISODE

Relational Trust in the Role of Evangelization

In this episode, Eric and Brett discuss the role of relational trust in evangelization - why it is important, how suspicion plays against trust, and some tips to building trust in our proximate periphery.

PODCAST EPISODE

Making Our Homes and Communities "Missionary Outposts"

In this episode, Brett and Eric discuss the missionary dimension of the home. There are many opportunities in our everyday living that allow us to witness to our faith. 

VIDEO

Alpha Stories

Watch how lives and communities have been transformed by the gospel.

ARTICLE

Awakening a Parish to Proclaim Jesus

Alpha helped reawaken Father Mike’s desire for a vibrant church, where people are excited to invite their friends for a conversation about Jesus.

PROCLAIM PODCAST

Starting a Parish Coffeehouse for Community

Eric and Julia talk about opening “Holy Grounds Coffeehouse” at St. Patrick's Parish in Maple Ridge.

PROCLAIM PODCAST

The Primacy of Evangelization with Fr. James Mallon

In Part 2 of our series with Fr. James Mallon, Brett and Jason speak with him about how crucial it is to give primacy to evangelization in the Church today.

PROCLAIM PODCAST

The Steps to Becoming an Evangelizing Parish with Fr. John & Mary

In the second part of their conversation with Fr. John Riccardo and Mary Guilfoile, Eric and Brett talk with them about the renewal of Our Lady of Good Counsel and the founding of Acts XXIX.

Implementing this in your parish

Impact is hard to do alone, which is why we are committed to helping you find the right resource and support you every step of the way as you run it in your parish. Give us a call or learn more about our Parish Self-Assessment tool.

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