Alpha Prisons
What is Alpha and why run Alpha in your prison
Alpha Prisons
Vision and Mission Global Vision • (Re)Evangelisation of the Nations • Revitalisation of the Church • Transformation of Society Local Mission We equip and serve the Church in its mission to help people discover and develop a relationship with Jesus Christ through Alpha
Alpha Prisons
What is Alpha Socialising: a time for welcoming and fellowship Teaching: Provides information about Jesus based on the Bible. Explains why and how Christians live out their faith Discussion: Provides an opportunity for guests to discuss what they have heard in small groups
Alpha Prisons
Alpha explores these questions Who is Jesus? Why Did Jesus Die? How Can I Have Faith? Why and How Do I Pray? Why and How Should I Read the Bible? How Does God Guide Us? The Holy Spirit (three talks) How Can I Make the Most of the Rest of My Life? How Can I Resist Evil? Why and How Should I Tell Others? Does God Heal Today? What About the Church? Alpha Prisons
How it started Alpha in prisons started in December 1994 in the UK • In 2016, over 45,000 people did Alpha in 55 countries in more than 800 prisons
Alpha Prisons
Why run Alpha in your prison? 1. The heart of God – God cares about prisoners There are 122 references to prison or prisoners in the Bible. Prisoners in the Bible Joseph, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Peter, many early Christians imprisoned by Saul, Paul. Paul wrote four of the Epistles in the Bible from Prison. Revelation was written by John from Patmos - a prison island. And Jesus. Alpha Prisons
Why run Alpha in your prison? 2. The Word of God: A Biblical mandate Hebrews 13:3 3 Continue
to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
Alpha Prisons
Alpha in any prison A Pastor in Guatemala teaching Alpha to inmates in a cell below him
Alpha Prisons
Alpha in prisons in the Catholic context In 2016 we doubled the number of Catholic Alphas in prisons
Alpha Prisons
What the prisoners say • 97% of prisoners said that Alpha had a positive impact on their lives • 99% said they would recommend it to their friends • 68% said they experienced personal transformation • 91% said they experienced the love of Jesus • 78% said they had an encounter with the Holy Spirit • Feeling cared for, being welcomed and non-judgemental atmosphere rated higher than any other feature of Alpha
Alpha Prisons
Creating safe space Ethos of small groups • Facilitation of even discussion - not Bible study • Allows questions and respects opinions • Allows people to belong before they believe • The real question – Can I belong to this group of people? • Modeling God’s love and creating safe space allows for relationship with God to develop Alpha Prisons
What we offer 1. Quality 2. Sustainability 3. Security
Alpha Prisons
Structure National Alpha Office Alpha Prisons Ambassador
Prison Coordinator
Team Leader
Team Leader
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Alpha Prisons
Team Leader
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Global Development
Team Leader
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Q&A
Alpha Prisons
Thank you
Peter Jones Global Alpha Prisons pete.jones@alpha.org