Each week people meet together for a meal, a talk on topics such as "Who is Jesus?", "Why Did Jesus Die?", "How Can I be Sure of My Faith?", and "Does God Still Heal Today?" , followed by small group interaction. There is an optional one-day retreat midway through the course, which focuses on the person and work of the Holy Spirit.

There are over 5000 Alpha courses running in the US and about 1,000,000 people in America and Canada have already participated.

There is no charge for the Alpha course; however, participants may wish to buy a $5 Alpha participant’s book and if they’re able, to make a freewill contribution toward the cost of the meal each week.

The evening Alpha course begins with supper, followed by a talk. We then divide into smaller groups for coffee and cookies to discuss any questions raised from the talk.

Alpha is being offered at The Elk River YMCA in partnership with the Why Church.  www.thewhychurch.org

Everyone is welcome on an Alpha course and people attend for a wide variety of reasons. Some want to investigate whether God exists and if there is any point to life; others are concerned about what happens after death. Still others may have attended church on and off all their lives but feel they have never really understood the basics of the Christian faith.

Alpha is a ten-week opportunity to explore the validity and relevance of the Christian faith for our lives today. It is a practical introduction to the basics of Christianity with loads of opportunity for debate and discussion. The style of Alpha is informal, friendly and non-pressured.

Comments from Previous Alpha Participants

We were hesitant to attend because we thought the people who attended Alpha knew the Bible and they were going to preach it to us the whole evening. It was completely opposite and we realized the people attending had the same questions we had. We thank Alpha for where we are now and how it has helped our family grow in ways we never could have imagined.

I was raised Roman Catholic and went through all of the motions and milestones, attended religion classes through high school and went to church consistently. Even with that background, I never knew what it meant to know Jesus and have a personal relationship with Him until Alpha. Alpha helped me realize how fulfilling life can be when you put God in the middle.

We had set aside Sunday night as family night, so it was a very difficult decision to join ALPHA. I reluctantly went to Alpha, and found out what I should have been using this time for. That was growing closer to my family. The more time we spent at Central, the closer we grew.

At the time my wife suggested we go to Alpha, there seemed to be a void inside me. It made me start to wonder if this was something I needed. Finally I told her, ‘I’ll try it out but if I don’t like it I’m leaving.’ Guess what? I’m still here and the void seems to be shrinking …

Read more: Who is Alpha for?

Alpha’s ongoing needs
Did you ever wonder how it all happens? Who sets up the tables? Who cooks the meals? How can they afford food like that for so many people? Truth is, Alpha happens only because a lot of dedicated people share their time, talent, money, and love through this ministry. Alpha is one of the most effective ways to help people know Jesus. If you feel God’s Spirit nudging you to participate, we’d love to have your gifts as part of the Alpha Leadership Team, our prayer teams, making donations, or just volunteering when you’re able. Contact Jeff Krogstad (763-441-2363 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) for more info!

The Bottom Line
If you’ve been through Alpha, you know it’s a great experience. Why not help lead a small group or volunteer your time so others can experience it? And as long as you’re going to be there, invite your neighbors and friends to come to Alpha. If you haven’t tried Alpha yet, why wait? It will never be easier to try Alpha than this fall. Many opportunities, many locations, and much fun. Come check it out!

These are the people who make Alpha happen! If you have a desire to help with Alpha and want to grow closer into a community and closer to God, then the Alpha Leadership Team is where you need to be! Not only will you feel great about helping others experience all the benefits of Alpha – you’ll also learn and grow and build some incredible friendships.