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alpha india news
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2 | APRIL - JUNE 2012
THE QUARTERLY NEWSPAPER OF ALPHA INDIA
NEWS IN BRIEF
Alpha in Catholic Context: Classic Alpha training for Latin Catholic Arch Diocese of Trivandrum.
Pg. 4 Alpha course in Metro Train Kolkata: The Alpha course transforms lives in local trains. Pg. 5
NAT in Ajmer, Rajasthan: 110 pastors and leaders attend Alpha course training. Pg. 6
Alpha Advisors initiate trainings: The local Alpha Advisors takes the initiative to conduct Alpha course trainings.
Pg. 7 Master Trainers Training in Karnataka: About 30 Master Trainers were trained to train their local churches.
FIRST NATIONAL
Womens’
Conference
Pg. 8 Post-Alpha : A Life Worth Living in Lucknow Students look for more after attending Alpha course. Pg. 9 Financial Partnership We appreciate your financial partnership. If you are inspired to support Alpha India please use the details below, or contact Josy Joseph at the Alpha India Office. Alpha India Account: Account Number: 911020054880929 NAME: ALPHA INDIA BANK NAME : AXIS BANK LTD IFSC CODE : UTIB0000734 BRANCH : KALYAN NAGAR BANGALORE.
Acc Type: Current Account
• ALPHA IN CATHOLIC CONTEXT IN KERALA • MASTER TRAINERS TRAINING IN DHARWAD • ALPHA ADVISORS INITIATE TRAININGS IN BIHAR • POST- ALPHA : A LIFE WORTH LIVING IN LUCKNOW Students of Isabella Thoburn College, Lucknow with their Alpha Certificates
2 National Alpha Office contact details:
Alpha India: 219, 5th A Main Road, HRBR 2nd Block, Kalyan Nagar, Bangalore - 560 043 Tel: 080 2542 0902 IDD: +91 80 2542 0902 Email: contact@alphaindia.org, Web: www.alphaindia.org
National Director: Mr J. Varadaraj Board Members:
Chris Sadler, chris@alphaap.org Scott Norling, scottworld@aol.com J Varadaraj, thetoolmen@gmail.com Don Anderson, India Country Head-Shell Lubricants Clarissa Anderson, Entreprenuer and Invester Mathew Anthony, Secretary for Evangelisation, Archdiocese of Delhi
Church Advisory Board:
Archbishop Vincent Concessao Bishop Rt. Rev. V. M. Malaviya Rev. Dr. D. Mohan, Superintendant of AOG India
Alpha India Regional Offices:
North West Region, Chandigarh: Rupak Nayak Email : rupak.alphaindia@gmail.com Mob : 093189-02997 West Region, Ahmedabad: Jimmy Harshkant Email : damorejimmy@gmail.com Ph : 09825-444197 East Region, Kolkata: Prabir Mondal Email : prabir.alphaindia@gmail.com Ph : 096744-61951 North East Region, Shillong : Ranjit De Email : ranjitde@alphaindia.org Ph : 094347-59794
National Coordinator’s Contact details: Alpha in the Workplace: Santosh Chettri Mob: 090070-22889 Alpha for Prisons: Peace & Anik Khapai Mob: 09597-421832 Youth Alpha: Melissa Thomas Mob: 0959196-6293 Student Alpha : David Simpson Mob : 099455-79198 North-East Diaspora: M Rampan Mob : 099029-90313
Coordinators’ Contact details: Andhra Pradesh: Susheel K Chattar Mob: 098660-99184 Andhra Pradesh - Hindupur: Paul J L Mob: 094408-61979 Bihar: George Muller Mob: 094310-16124 Himachal Pradesh: Rupak K Nayak Mob: 093189-02997 Jammu & Kashmir: Mushtaq Ahmad Mob: 099066-84250 Kerala: Binu N. Philip Mob: 093882-04322 Karnataka: Sam Victor Mob: 099646-98118 Odisha: Tushar K Behera Mob: 093371-41600 Odisha: Jayadeep Samantroy Mob: 098535-03813 Rajasthan: Kamlesh Parmar Mob: 099830-03637 Uttarakhand: Janus Peter Mob: 094581-90983 Uttar Pradesh: Vinay P Dayal Mob: 093594-86843 West Bengal: Dilip and Kakali Debnath Mob: 098742-07760 North-East : Kenneth Arun Louis Mob : 088847-42624 Tamil Nadu : John Rajan Mob : 091501-85413 Marriage Course, Kerala : Mon C George Mob: 094474-13163 Youth Alpha, North: Ashraye David Mob: 099849-62345 Youth Alpha, Chandigarh : Sameer Mob: 078370-51735
© Alpha India 2011, edited and published by J.V. Raj for Alpha India
alpha notes
ALPHA INDIA NEWS APRIL - JUNE 2012
READERS’ STORIES&PHOTOS Many thanks for the testimonies, stories and photos that have been posted to us. Once again in this issue your stories have been printed throughout the newspaper, together with other encouraging stories we have collected from across the nation. Please send your stories to, Email: stories.alphaindia@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/alphacourseindia Postal address: Alpha India National Office 219, 5th A Main Road HRBR 2nd Block, Kalyan Nagar, Bangalore - 560 043
RESPONSE CARDS These are a few responses from people who have attended Alpha
ü Good and interactive training. ü I love my Jesus more today. Thanks to Alpha and all glory to God. ü Very useful for my church. Nice and well organized. ü A new experience, had fun, learnt new things. Sessions were very interesting. ü The word of God really touched my heart. I have learned how to represent Jesus before my friends. ü It benefitted my spiritual life. Thank you.
Alpha India Staff updates
LOUIS RAJESH TOPPO Chief Operating Officer Alpha India
RUPAK KUMAR NAYAK Regional Manager North-West Region
ALPHA INDIA NEWS APRIL - JUNE 2012
alpha notes
A NOTE FROM SCOTT NORLING CHAIRMAN, ALPHA INDIA
The Alpha story began with meeting Nicky on the Pacific Ocean, few months later arranging a National Alpha conference in Chennai, next month founding Alpha in India. It would have been hard to imagine those simple, unplanned, surprising beginnings would lead to more than 20,000 courses running in nearly every State of India. It has been an incredible journey. Alpha has continued to surprise me in not so much the process as with the diversity of the people who are a part of it. I can’t think of a single denomination that have not been willing or wanting to join in this important work and amazing adventure. Catholics, Anglicans, Baptists, Pentecostal, Lutheran, Brethren, Independent, Methodist, to name a few, all not just running the course for themselves, but sharing in the fellowship of the work, which continues to build relationships all across the landscape of God’s family. Alpha has been a building block, an amazing tool to unite the Body of Christ in India and create warm relationships that have given greater expression to God’s love and purpose for the communities in which they serve. Alpha has become a diversified tool, one which communicates to the businessman, surprises the young, ministers to marriages, restores the imprisoned and strengthens the family. I look forward to the coming years as Alpha reaches the place of a critical mass. The name Alpha is the name synonymous with RELATIONSHIP to all parts of the society – Hindu, Muslim, Jain, Sikh, Buddhist or Christian. Alpha has always meant “Welcome Friend!”
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from the field
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ALPHA INDIA NEWS APRIL - JUNE 2012
CATHOLICS IN KERALA BEGIN ALPHA COURSE
- Binu Philip
“Modern man is often confused and cannot find answers to the many questions which trouble his mind in reference to the meaning of life” (Pope Benedict XVI, Vatican’s Paul VI Audience Hall, ‘New Evangelisers for the New Evangelisation event’) Last November Classic Alpha training was conducted for 75 selected leaders of different parishes of the Latin Catholic Arch Diocese of Trivandrum district. Year 2011 being the 75th year of the Arch Diocese His Excellency Rev. Soosai Pakiam the Arch Bishop of the Latin Arch Diocese had given importance to Evangelization in his diocese. A team of 75 leaders were selected from different parishes under the diocese and were given training for a year on different methods and tools of Evangelization. Towards this end, we conducted a classic Alpha training for the leaders introducing Alpha as a tool for personal evangelization, discipleship and church planting. Mr. Mathew Antony, Secretary, Commission for Evangelization, Archdiocese of Delhi; Bernadette Mable Morris, Programme Manager, Commission for evangelization, Archdiocese of Delhi; John Thomas Kottukapally, Alpha Advisor, Binu Philip, Alpha Regional Coordinator, were among the resource persons for the training. His Excellency Rev. Soosai Pakiam the Arch bishop of the Latin Arch Diocese inaugurated the training along with Rev. Fr. Lawrence Culas who was in charge of these selected leaders.
Growing Partnership- Youth Alpha Training Six Churches signup Methodist Church at Amritsar to run Alpha course - Vinay P Dayal
- Rupak Nayak
- Janus Peter
I thank God who opened the door to build a partnership with the Lucknow Conference of the Methodist Church. We had a two day training programme for all the pastors on 31Jan – 1 Feb. The meeting was attended by 30 pastors from different parts of Uttar Pradesh.
We thank God for the opportunity to conduct Youth Alpha Training with the permission of the Bishop of Diocese of Amritsar (C.N.I.) There were fifty three Delegates from six different Churches. We have seen the potential of the youth and were encouraged to meet and train them.
All the pastors were very excited to learn how Alpha works in different contexts. Many of them have committed to start the Alpha course in their churches and will be reaching the unreached by using the Alpha course. We have spent some time in prayer together for UP to see revival touch our state and that lives would be transformed and growth take place in all the churches. We are also hopeful that new Alpha Advisors will be added to the state as an outcome of this meeting.
Melissa Thomas our National Youth Coordinator accompanied by Ps. Rupak Regional Manager of North West region and Sameer, Associate Youth Coordinator did an excellent job. The whole training was full of games, laughter and fun that everyone enjoyed with learning. Each and every delegate participated in different ways. After the two days program of Youth Alpha we are hoping to see many courses come as a result of it and many young lives transformed.
A two-day Classic Alpha Training was held at Thoburn Boys Home, Chopra, Pauri, Uttarakhand on the 21st and 22nd of January 2012. 26 delegates including pastors attended the training. As a result of the training 6 Churches signed up for running the course including two of the Methodist Churches. Here is what Rev. Rajesh Menzel, pastor, Methodist Church, Srinagar, UK, has to say: “We have work among the people of other faiths and this course will certainly benefit us and them as it is so basic and in an environment that is non-threatening.” Rev. S.K. Mathews, Methodist Church, Gadoli, Pauri says: “The training was truly a blessing to me and I feel the course will help in personal, family and Church growth. The course will bless many people in the hills.”
ALPHA INDIA NEWS APRIL - JUNE 2012
Alpha course in Metro Train Kolkata
from the field Alpha Introduction at Vijayawada - J L Paul
5 The Alpha course FAQs 1. How do I get started running Alpha? Prayer is vital to the planning, preparation and effectiveness of your Alpha course. Find a group of people who will pray for every aspect of your Alpha course. Step 1 - Pray Step 2 - Participate Step 3 - Plan your course Step 4 - Prepare your team Step 5 - Procure your resources Step 6 - Persevere
I’m Mr. Ananda Kumar Paul and my job is selling books in the local train. I make enough money for my family but because of my bad habits I lost my peace with my family and neighbours. One day when I was selling books inside a train I saw two persons who were sharing about Jesus. I joined them and this was the first time I heard about Jesus. After that, every week I joined the Alpha course inside the train. After attending the course I would start to sell books on the platform. I shared what I learnt about God with my wife and neighbours and now have an Alpha course running every week in my house. The Alpha course has made a huge difference in my house and neighbourhood. There is great peace in my heart now.
An Alpha Introduction and prayer meeting was held in Vijayawada. About 50 Christian Leaders from all denominations in the city took part in the meeting. Many of the church pastors present at the meeting had about 200 churches in their jurisdiction which made for potential Alpha courses springing up in these churches soon.
Strong foundations of faith in Jesus
Life changed in Prison
I am Sneha Singh, a student from Isabella Thoburn College, Lucknow. I am from Bareilly and came to Lucknow for my higher studies. The most fulfilling experience here was the Alpha course and the Post Alpha course. I had seen an Alpha booklet somewhere and wished to attend this course. I did not know that God would make it happen. Our God is a prayer answering God who listens to our prayers and answers them according to His will. He gives us our hearts desire even before we ask Him, if it is according to His will. I was in the first batch of the Alpha course when it started at my college and I praise the Lord for this wonderful opportunity. The Alpha course has made a great difference in my spiritual life. Through Alpha, I learned more of the Word of God. Each session at the course was a blessing for me and other students who attended it. The topics in the Alpha course and the discussion in the small groups helped me to build strong foundations of faith in Jesus Christ.
Ps Deveraj hosted this meeting and I gave the main talks for the introduction. National Director of Alpha, Mr. Varadaraj shared the Word of God from the life of Moses and how he took time to be with God. The importance of being with God was emphasised. We are praying for new partnerships with Andhra Lutheran Evangelical Churches.
My name is Prasana. I was an inmate at Nanjangur Central Prison, Mysore and did the Alpha course while in prison. When I was released I attended a church in Begure where Pastor Pravin is the pastor. One day he asked my wife Seerba to share her testimony on how she gave her life to Jesus. Sheerba said when she saw my life change so much for the better she was surprised. I shared to her that I met Jesus while in prison and gave my life to Him. Since then I have never been the same. I gave my wife a Bible for her to read as well. My wife was touched by the Holy Spirit as she read the Bible. She also discovered how I became a brand new person. We are so thankful to Prison Alpha for changing our lives and giving us a new hope. “Alpha in Prisons has transformed lives in prisons and beyond, bringing hope and change to families of ex-offenders” Peace Khapai National Prisons Alpha Co-ordianator.
Step 7 - Pass on the vision 2. How do I run the Alpha course outside of my church?
Using the same Alpha course content and structure, you can run an Alpha course at school, colleges, workplace, prisons, hospitals, homeless shelters, army bases, slums, among eunuchs and red light districts.
3. What resources and training opportunitites are avilable to me? • Access to Alpha’s national training conferences and local training events. • Access to a full array of products through the Alpha India website to promote, run and augment your Alpha course. • Access to a network of Alpha coordinators and Alpha advisors 4. How do I contact Alpha India?
You can contact Alpha India National Office, Regional Office, State coordinators to help you locate a training event happening near your city.
Please find the contact details on Pg. 2
ALPHA RESOURCES Alpha course resources are available in English, Hindi, Marathi, Punjabi,Gujarati, Kannada,Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Oriya, Assamese and Urdu.
GROWING PARTNERSH
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FIRST NATIONAL
Womens’
Conference Please contact:
Lynette Menezes 098332 55362
lynette_menezes@hotmail.com
Considering that half of this country are women and they hold the keys to families and households and also are more engaged with the gospel, we are led to embark on an exciting adventure of having a National Conference for women. We plan to invite 100 women leaders who can make a difference to the woman in India. We pray to follow this up with 5 Regional Conferences all over the country. Of course our vision is to empower women to use the Alpha Course in their cities and bring the good news to many women in this country. We also believe that small group dynamics will help establish hundreds of caring communities in various forms. This event is scheduled to be held in the month of November 2012 in Jaipur, the Pink City of India. Kindly recommend names of women who are in the forefront of social change and transformation in your region.
- Damore Jimmy Harshkant NATIONAL ALPHA TRAINING in AJMER Rajasthan - Damore Jimmy Harshkant
It is a joy to testify that we had a good partnership meeting with CNI Rajasthan Diocese. Bishop Rt. Rev. Waris K Masih extended a lot of encouragement in making this meeting happen. He also attended the two day training. The Vice-President, Rev. Rajendra Nath & Secretary Rev. Krus Loyal, played a major role in organizing and inviting the pastors and leaders of CNI Rajasthan Diocese. In response to the invitation, we had 110 sign up for the training which included all the pastors, key leaders and decision makers of the CNI Churches of Rajasthan Diocese. Training was very lively and effective as was evident from the response of the delegates. We got a great response from every one and they want to start Alpha courses in their churches and in their home. In total there would be about 46 courses starting soon. Many church leaders had purchased the whole set of Alpha course books. The Bishop Rt. Rev. Waris K Masih was also impressed and decided that the Rajasthan Diocese would purchase 30 sets of Classic Alpha books and give to the churches which cannot afford. The main resource persons were, KM Francis, Training Manager, National Alpha Office and Rev. Emmanuel Christy from CNI Raikhad Church, Ahmedabad.
HIPS & DEVELOPMENTS
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First GLOBAL ALPHA TRAINING in Rajasthan - Damore Jimmy Harshkant
Rajasthan hosted its first-ever GAT on the 5th of March 2012. It was a four day training for the churches and Christian leaders of the State. The training was held at RCD Social Service Centre in Ajmer. Bishop Rt. Rev. Waris K Masih inaugurated the training with an opening message and prayer. There were 80 participants which included all the pastors and key leaders of the state. The GAT team was from York City, England. Miss. Eve Ridgeway from St Michaels Church was the GAT team leader. The other team members were Rev. Roger Simpson, Rev. Ian Birkinshaw & Mr. Rob Suekarren from All Saints’, Huntington church. The worship was led by brother Enosh David & brother Vincent from Mount Carmel Church. Fr. Jasvant Rana, Pr. Nishikant Jacob & Pr. Ajit Tank did a fantastic job translating from English to Hindi for the benefit of the non-English speaking delegates. We received a great response from every one and atleast 26 Alpha courses are slated to start in churches and homes. All Glory and Honor to my Almighty Savior God Jesus Christ.
Alpha Advisors initiate trainings
Global Alpha Training Global Alpha Training Ambala Kolkata
- George Muller
- Prabir Mondal
- Rupak Nayak
The local Alpha Advisors took on the initiative to conduct Alpha course trainings for their respective areas. First at Methodist church in India at Ara, this is a Bhojpuri speaking region. Five advisors gathered about 30 delegates here. During the action plan they decided that a local church funded training will be held every month. I came to know that three advisers have already started one-day trainings in their local churches.
It was a wonderful beginning to the year 2012. We approached a renowned Christian organisation- Big Life Fellowship in Kolkata to organise a self-matched GAT. After much persuasion brother Benjamin Francis, Director of Big Life Fellowship agreed to have the training at their premises The meeting was held from 18th January to 20th January.
GAT - Ambala, took place from 6th- 9th March at Eternal Life Ministries. GAT team led by Mary from York (UK) including four other members in the team. The training took place with 53 delegates from different churches from surrounding places such as Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh.
Another training was held at Baptist Union Church, Patna. This meeting was also arranged by Patna local advisers. In this meeting 32 members gathered for a day training. Participants were from different church like Baptist Union Church, North west Goseren Lutheran Church, Evangelical Church of India, CFI Ministries, Yeshu Mandir, Emmanuel Pentecostal Church and Independent. Most of them agreed to conduct trainings in their local churches.
It was so encouraging that different organisations are showing interest in running Alpha nowadays. Around 75 leaders attended GAT. A four member team led by Pastor Ian Dyble from UK were the main resource speakers. All the leaders felt encouraged by the excellent training and they were also given Classic Alpha resources sponsored by their respective organisations. They were well prepared after the training and ready to go back and start doing Alpha. We are expecting many Alpha courses to start and God will add many more souls to His Kingdom.
Many felt the difference Alpha course could bring to their churches and were excited to know more from day one of training. Twelve churches decided to run the Alpha course in their respective places from April 2012 onwards. We are hopeful that these courses would be the beginning for many more courses in this region. TRIVIA: Ambala is a city and a municipal corporation in Ambala district in the state of Haryana, India, located on the border of the states of Haryana and Punjab in India.
FROM THE FIELD
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ALPHA INDIA NEWS APRIL - JUNE 2012
Master trainers training IN KARNATAKA
- Sam Victor
About 30 master trainers were trained to train the churches in their local area. During the training Rev. Selvaraj said that Alpha has made a difference in their churches by involving not just the leader but also many church believers in this process of evangelism through the Alpha Course. About 20 IMS churches, CSI, are running the Alpha courses. Totally 160 people participated and through this course and 56 baptisms took place. At this Master Trainers Training, many were challenged to take this tool to first implement in their churches and later to train the other churches. Over the recent past Alpha has made a drastic impact in Karnataka state for churches to use it as a tool for evangelism.
Student Alpha continues to grow - David Simpson
We have had trainings across the country and seen students get envisioned with the use of Alpha as tool for evangelism on their campus and through their student cell groups. A notable highlight was a trip to an IIT in northern India. The students were so enthusiastic and warm and hope to use Alpha with non-believing friends after trying it out together. There have been other fantastic trainings with students in Ranchi, Vizag, Mysore, Chennai and Coonoor. Recent conversations have started with some key student ministries across the nation these ministries are from a host of different backgrounds but are all eager in proclaiming the Good News to the students of India! Our first Student Alpha GAT is also on the horizon and we look forward with anticipation to a team joining us from Canada.
Confidence to share Committed my life to the Gospel Jesus and accepted Him as my Lord - Pragati Grace Gaikwad
The Alpha course was a wonderful experience. It was a time of knowing the Word of God and learning of its importance in our lives. The inspiring testimonies encouraged me to grow in my faith and in my walk with the Lord. I have learnt that even though we may fall in the long race of life, we must get up and finish the race. I know that our goal is the crown of life that the Lord Jesus Christ will give us when we reach the other side of the shore. We got to know God in a deeper and personal way. We realized the importance of prayer and learnt how to cherish the presence of God and stay in it with complete submission. The Alpha course gave me the confidence to share the Gospel and the love of Christ with non-believers. I praise God for giving me the opportunity to do the Alpha course. It has been a great experience.
I am Sri Sukru of Banchhanagar village of Bargarh district. I was a Hindu from my birth. I had no joy and peace in my life. I was going through problems and difficulties. I heard about Jesus Christ, His love and work of salvation for humanity from one of the relatives named Khirod. I attended the meeting where brother Philip talked about the meaning of life. After his talk there was discussion for sometime. I found it comfortable to talk and asked questions to get clarity. I attended this meeting called Alpha and finally I was convinced that in Jesus anybody can find the answer to life’s questions. I committed my life to Jesus and accepted Him as my Lord and Savior. I took water baptism. Now I am a different person. I believe that He answers prayers and comforts me in times of trouble. He is my refuge and my strength.
FROM THE FIELD
ALPHA INDIA NEWS APRIL - JUNE 2012
Church Growth and Baptisms in Belgaum
We are happy after much prayer and through Peace Khappai we have finished one course in our church, Horeb Evangelical Church, Ooty.
This course has helped us in three ways. I am Rev. H. Solomon, First it was like a Pre-Baptism course for I was introduced to new believers as well as who are about to be Alpha in May 2011. baptized and secondly, It helped the believers I attended Global to be firm in their faith and confirmed that Alpha Training (GAT) what they believe is true, thirdly for the at Bangalore in ministry minded believers it is used as a text August 2011. The book for their evangelism and a Bible study in method we used Cottage prayer meetings. For the first course, for new believers more than 25 believers attended and enjoyed for studies was the time of discussions. We plan to have more confusing them, but now running the Alpha courses in future and through this group study course it is very easy for new believers to we are sure that our church would grow in the understand these basics of the Christian days to come. faith. The method of small groups, asking questions and discussion has made a lot of impact. And also the Alpha course helped to raise new leaders in the church. Since November 2011, we are continuously running the Alpha course in different areas exclusively for new believers. After each Alpha course many accepted Christ and in 6 people were In the year 2010 baptised. In March 8 people were baptized. I was fortunate to Now after getting trained as a Master Trainer, attended an Alpha I have planned to introduce and train other Training at Bargarh, churches in my local area. Odisha which was conducted by Mr Jayadeep Samantaroy. I learnt many new things through the course and enjoyed it a lot. It has helped me to transform my thinking and understanding of what it means to follow Christ. I attended an Alpha training programme I thank God for the Youth Alpha Master’s for two days last year. Training in Lucknow which was held That time I thought in November 2011. I enjoyed and was this course could encouraged by the teaching. This training help out church was a challenge for me to bring Youth to believers to upgrade the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. We them selves, as well conducted a Youth Alpha Training for 50 as for church growth. youth with the help of Mr. Jayadeep and as a
Alpha the best decision of my life - Eliya Meher
Great tool for Church Growth - Satish Kumar
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result of that, many young people are willing to start Youth Alpha courses here in Bargarh district.
North-East Diaspora experiences Alpha - Rampan Muivah
We had the privilege of training five different groups for about 267 delegates in Bangalore and Coimbatore. We also conducted 7 Alpha course introductions in Coimbatore, Guwahati, Delhi, Noida and Dehradun. A meeting with Dr. A.K. Lama, General Secretary and Rev. Jolly Rimai, Missions Secretary, CBCNEI, was held at Guwahati for partnership in taking Alpha to reach the major church denomination in the north-east. They are one of the largest church groups in the country, we see the possibility of working together in the near future. We also had the opportunity to meet convention heads, senior church pastors, missionaries, youth leaders and influential government officials from different parts of the North East. They are all passionate to reach the lost and Alpha is a vital tool in realizing that goal. Rev. David Sha says “Alpha course is a great tool and it has helped me in my house group meetings”
POST-ALPHA COURSE : A LIFE WORTH LIVING
- Genevieve Puthyapurayil
As the students who had attended the Alpha course returned for another year of study at IT College they expressed their desire for a programme based on the same principle of exploration as Alpha. Life Worth Living (Post Alpha), was started for those students who had already undergone the Alpha course. The sessions were simultaneously taken along with the classic Alpha for first-timers. We started Life Worth Living with 13 enrollments from the senior students. This course is based on Paul’s letter to the Philippians, with the topics like New Purpose, New Attitude, New Ambitions and other topics which were a great tool to mentor, guide and nurture these young girls to live a life with zeal for their Saviour. It helped them understand their New Resources and New Responsibilities as budding believers and also enabled them to understand their New Confidence which is found only in Christ Jesus. By the end of the sessions as new followers of Jesus Christ they were able to choose for themselves a life worth living. It is our heart’s desire and prayer to see many more souls saved and mature through the Alpha course and Life Worth Living course.
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HAVE YOU PRAYED TODAY ?
ALPHA INDIA NEWS APRIL - JUNE 2012
Have you Prayed Today ? - J. Varada Raj
An introduction to prayer In a world that draws us into it’s hurried pace, times of prayer help us to maintain a sense of equanimity and bearing. Prayer is an echo of ones heart to an understanding of God. This implies a true and an earnest seeking of God. When we seek Him with all our hearts, we are assured that we will find Him. The experiences of saints in the scripture are aplenty that God can be experienced. For instance, read the Psalms of David. As we seek Him and wait upon Him, we are bound to hear Him. In return, we echo our hearts response. This is prayer. Therefore, these steps: 1. Seek Him earnestly 2. Wait upon Him 3. Hear Him 4. Echo from the heart. This can happen while you sit quietly in a contemplative attitude or when you are engaged in your daily routine. People have taken various postures in prayer: a. from simple sitting to standing b. kneeling to prostrating c. walking to dancing Various convenient expressions of attitude towards the object of prayer, have enabled people to pray. To dissociate prayer times from other activities can become a barrier in integrating spiritual disciplines into our normal lifestyle. While there needs to be times of retreat from activity given exclusively to prayer, fasting, celebration and worship, these indeed ought to be integrated to life itself. Prayer is an expression of a relationship with God. It indicates an intimacy, a communion, a level of understanding of God experientially. It also is an outflow and an overflow of this relationship. So the one who prays will:
1. Endeavor to cultivate this relationship. Intensive cultivation brings extensive harvest. Relationships will be put to a test. God tested Abraham with a difficult test. When Abraham prayed, God remembered that Abraham had not withheld his very son from Him. God did not say no to him. God could not even hide His acts from Abraham. 2. Take steps to remove all barriers that hinder such an intimacy. God is holy. Without holiness one cannot approach God. Sin, self and preconceived notions hinder intimacy with God. Faith comes by the hearing of the word of God. Reading, studying and mediating on the word will reveal God’s nature and fill faith in our heart. An open heart and an open mind are prerequisites to any growing relationship. The benefits of Jesus’ relationship with the Father accrue to us. Jesus and His name are privileges of entry into His Presence. When we come in Jesus’ Name, we are accepted in the courts of God with all the privileges accorded to the Son of God. Of course, when we pray in His name, we also pray according to His nature and concerns. To be filled with the Spirit and pray in the spirit is an unparalleled privilege. That the spirit of man can be a tool for the Holy Spirit to translate our true concerns is both a privilege and an immense opportunity. The Lord Jesus prayed in solitude as well as with people. He went to a mountain to pray. He also prayed in the homes of people, at the grave of Lazarus, and in the garden of Gethsemane. He lived in intimate union and communion with the Father. His very being was in prayer without ceasing. His times with
the Father seemed central to all His activities. It was also a centering aspect of life to Him bringing in a God-focus to all He did. His prayers reflected the concerns of the Father in heaven. The Nature, dimension and extent of prayer depend upon our understanding of God, perception of need and possibility of answered prayers. Individual prayers, family prayers and corporate prayers in gatherings of believers as Church or elsewhere all have their importance. The extent of time one spends in prayer is directly proportional to the knowledge one has of God. In submission to God, according to this knowledge, one can pray. The pursuit of God will engage the soul of man in its entirety. There will be an intense interplay of dynamics between the mind, emotions and will in practicing the discipline of prayer. Though effortless to pray, one will soon realize that it takes much effort and time to become effortless. It is somewhat akin to freedom. To enjoy freedom, a price must be paid. It doesn’t happen over night. It is like breathing. Every one can breathe normally, but breathing exercises enable one to breathe consciously and keep one healthy. The art of prayer needs the support of the science of prayer. The spirit of man, the innermost being, viz., the seat of conscience, imagination, intuition and inspiration, filled with the very Spirit of God will exult in the Divine Presence. So prayer becomes a Divine human experience. The time one spends in prayer will depend upon the leading of the Spirit, measure of experience of God, and desire of ones heart. Prayer journals are helpful. To record ones experiences with God can build faith in times of stress and need. They can be like a bouquet of refreshing moments collected over a period of time.
ALPHA INDIA NEWS APRIL - JUNE 2012
HAVE YOU PRAYED TODAY ?
Faith feeds on answered prayers. They can serve as an audit of our relationship level with God. There are various aspects of prayer. Invocation, Supplication, petition are only entry levels and are more commonly practiced. As the relationship matures, waiting, agonizing, praising, adoring, worshiping, and basking in His Presence all become a part of this Divine-human romance. At this level of intimacy, every breath is prayer and every sigh an intercession. Saints have used several formats of various ritual prayers over a period of time. For instance, Charles Spurgeon wrote his prayers down. Suzanna Wesley had nineteen children. She, apart from keeping the house, the parsonage, editing a magazine, spent time praying with each child regularly. No wonder that two of her children, John and Charles Wesley, changed the history of Britain. The church prayed in the home of Rhoda and Peter was freed from the prison. Believers prayed together in the Upper Room and the Spirit came upon them and they received power to be witnesses. Throughout
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the Bible, people have prayed like the women who asked for children, men who sought for victories and even for Nations. Abraham prayed for the deliverance of Lot, Moses sought for guidance on behalf of the Nation, Isaiah waited for his strength to be renewed and Jesus prayed for the oneness of those who belong to Him. There is no wrong prayer…too small a concern or too large a feat to put before the Lord. Prayers come in many forms. Spontaneous prayers from the heart are effective. Public prayers are short, passionate, purposeful and to the point according to the spirit of the gathering. Public prayers reflect the spirit and the concern of all those gathered. Praying with a list, prophetic prayer, perceptive prayer, praying scriptures out, are some ways to pray. Loud prayers with groaning and sighing, prayers in singing format, writing poems of prayer, painting a picture of prayer, silent prayers, and contemplative prayers are various ways to pray. The only way to grow in prayer is to PRAY. Have you prayed today?
Pray for Alpha India Praise Points: - for the work of Alpha and its impact on the lives of thousands across the nation and world wide. - for all the new partnerships and endorsements that were made for Alpha by international guests and well wishers of Alpha India. - for Alpha India’s growth and steady expansion among the North East Diaspora. - for the new opportunities which sprung up for Youth and Student Alpha across the nation. - for God’s protection over all the Alpha India staff and Co-ordinators.
Prayer Points: - for the growth of Alpha India in all its different contexts. - for new doors to open and partnerships to emerge this year. - for God’s protection and favour upon all the Alpha India staff and Co-ordinators. - for breakthrough in different parts of the nation where preaching and sharing of the Gospel is highly restricted and banned. - for the work of Alpha across the globe.
Concerted fervent prayers of the church reflect the heart of God through His people. History is replete with specific answers when his people have prayed together. Come let us join our hearts, heads and hands in ushering the Kingdom of God in our generation
- for God’s guidance and wisdom on Louis Rajesh Toppo in his new role as Chief Operating Officer.
FIRST NATIONAL
Womens’
13-14 Nov. 2012
Conference TIM hUGHES WORSHIP CENTRAL WORSHIP WORKSHOP & TRAINING
JUNE 2012
MUMBAI // HYDERABAD
WWW.WORSHIPCENTRAL.ORG