Table of Contents What is Alpha Strategy & Principles Results & Financials Changed Lives Changed Churches Changed Communities Alpha on the Front Lines Board of Directors Ministry Team & Profiles Alpha by the Numbers Auditor’s Statement 2009 Strategic Foundation 2010 Strategic Initiatives
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4 6 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 19 Appendix 1 Appendix 2 Appendix 3
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What Is Alpha? Alpha is an opportunity to explore the meaning of life in a relaxed, friendly setting. The Alpha course usually meets once per week for 10 weeks, and includes an amazing one-day or weekend getaway. Each session people enjoy great food, laughter and learning about the teachings of Jesus in a fun and friendly atmosphere where no question about life or God is seen as too simple or too hostile.
Who Is Alpha For? Alpha is for anyone. People attend from all backgrounds, religions, and viewpoints. They come to investigate questions about the existence of God, the purpose of life, the afterlife, the teachings of Jesus and more. Some people want to get beyond religion and find a relationship with God that really changes lives. Many guests have never been to church, others may have attended church occasionally but feel they have never really understood the basics of the Christian faith. Everyone is welcome.
QUICK FACTS Denominations Running Alpha in the U.S.
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All 50 States; All Major Denominations
How Did Alpha Start? The Alpha course has been running for more than 30 years. It began at Holy Trinity Brompton Church in central London in the late 1970s as a means of presenting the basic principles of the Christian faith to new Christians in a relaxed and informal setting. Former lawyer Nicky Gumbel took over the course in 1990, realizing that this course could also appeal to non-churchgoers, he adapted Alpha, making it welcoming and attractive to all. During the 1990s, the Alpha course spread – first throughout the UK and then internationally - as more churches and groups found it a helpful way to answer people’s questions about the Christian faith.
“ I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one; I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” John 17:22,23
Countries Running Alpha courses
163
Languages of Alpha Materials*
108
*Official and Unofficial
Estimated Alpha Guests Worldwide
13 Million
What The Press says “A novel approach to Christian education that has been catching on nationwide.”
“ “...many claim Alpha has changed their lives and appear genuinely happier for the experience.” 4
“Alpha is certainly a powerful medicine for a sickly old church.”
“Alpha...uses modern methods to promote and explain Christian teachings around the world.”
(Susan Lee, Senior Editor) “It works. I can testify to that. Indeed it even worked for snobby old me.”
“Alpha helps students navigate through Christianity.”
What Ministry Leaders Say “One of the most effective evangelism tools for the 21st century.”
Dr. Rick Warren Senior Pastor, Saddleback Church
“ The Alpha format is definitely a huge improvement and right for our time, because process is involved instead of a quick presentation and it is more communal.”
Tim Keller Author/ Senior Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church
“ I know of many people whose lives have been transformed through the Alpha course. I rejoice at how God is using it so powerfully to renew many churches both inside and outside prison walls.”
Charles W. Colson Prison Fellowship Ministries
“Alpha is a well-designed, implementable program that addresses the basic questions of life for the churched and unchurched alike. The course meets the vital test of being both open and faithful – welcoming of all, while presenting the Gospel message with clarity and power.”
George Gallup, Jr. Chairman, The George H. Gallup International Institute
Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, Appointed Preacher to the Papal Household by Pope John Paul II “… we need a new evangelization which, while being open to all the fullness of the truth and the Christian life, will yet be simple and basic. This is the reason why I look with interest and appreciation to the Alpha course. It seems to me that it answers precisely this need of ours. The very name shows this. It is not called “Alpha and Omega course” but simply “Alpha course” because it doesn’t claim to lead people from beginning to end in faith; only to help them get acquainted with it, to foster a personal encounter with Jesus, leaving it to other Church departments to develop the newly rekindled faith.”
“ In recent years Nicky Gumbel has helped millions of people consider the claims of Jesus Christ in fresh and stimulating ways through a course he put together called Alpha. Very few people alive have done this much to help people far from God draw nearer to Him – and many find Him.” Bill Hybels Senior Pastor, Willow Creek Community Church
“Alpha is a tool for mobilizing men and women to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost.”
Joyce Meyer Joyce Meyer Ministries
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Strategy
A Foundation for Continued Growth Mission To make disciples of Jesus Christ from all walks of life and to transform our society, one life, one church and one community at a time.
Vision 20,000 churches by 2012 effectively using Alpha to spread the wonderful news of Jesus Christ to millions of Americans. (measured by specific metric)
Strategy Creating more and better Alpha courses through Prayer, People, Purpose, Provision
Prayer the central and undergirding power of all we do Alpha is powered by thousands of national and international prayer warriors, national and local weekly prayer calls, and daily prayer at the central office. People founded on relationships, people organized in local and functional teams is core to Alpha Regional Leadership Teams are the frontline, scalable and effective units to increase the Alpha impact across the county. Lighthouse Churches demonstrate effective use of the Alpha course and provide credibility to bridge new pastors. Alpha Advisors volunteer their time in counseling and training up new churches to run the Alpha course with the greatest possible impact. Purpose equipping every person and team with the tactics to build more and better Alpha courses The Alpha Invitation strategy stirs faith and unifies churches to reach their communities. Specialty Ministries (marriage, prison, campus, youth, multicultural, workplace etc.) enable the church to bring the Gospel to a diverse culture beyond church walls. Training and preparation ensures proper application of all best practices and DNA. Provision of support from a central team that aims to make the local and specialty teams as efficient and effective as possible in spreading the Gospel The Central Support Team consists of gifted and highly motivated individuals providing marketing, finance, HR, IT and data management, publishing, fund developing and overall unifying purpose and leadership.
Alpha USA operates by 7 Kingdom Principles Prayer — “My house will be known as a house of prayer (Matthew 21:13, Luke 11:2).” Prayer undergirds all that Alpha does. The more activity, the more we pray. Unity — “I have given them your glory that they may be one even as we are one (John 17:22-23).” Alpha aims to operate with wisdom (James 3:17), mercy and grace leading to unity and alignment. God’s provision — “Jesus, the Great Shepherd of the sheep (will) strengthen and equip you with everything good to do His will (Hebrews 13:20-21, Luke 10:10-11). Alpha aims to discover where the Holy Spirit is moving with everyone ministering in their ‘Sweet Spot.’ Strategic thinking — “Follow me and I will make you 6
Fishers of Men” (Matthew 4:19). Alpha aims to ask, “What, How, When, Who and Where” in developing strategies for sharing the Gospel Outstanding stewardship – maximize impact — Parable of the talents (Luke 10:2-9, 19:11-27). Alpha’s goal is excellence in all we do; Effectiveness, efficiency and a culture of continuous improvement. Ministering two by two – identify help — “He sent them two by two before His face” (Luke 10:1). At Alpha, no one works in isolation, but always with one another to encourage, support and pray together. Multiplication – go forth — The first recorded instruction to mankind (Genesis 1:28, 9:1 and Matthew 28:19). Alpha aims to multiply Alpha churches, regional teams, Alpha Advisors, Partners, etc.
Strategy in Action Alpha Encourages Unity In the Church In 2009, an unprecedented 615 churches in 316 towns across the nation participated in the Alpha invitation. At the 2009 National Alpha Conference, Jacki Tase, Associate Director, Alpha Mid-Atlantic reported that her region had 175 churches participate in the Alpha invitation with 30 of those churches new to running Alpha. “Our success could only happen because the Invitation was bathed in prayer; our unity was from the Holy Spirit, and our team of dedicated volunteers loves the Lord Jesus Christ,“ she said.
Alpha Unites Thousands in
Muncie, Indiana An inspired prayer initiative kicked off county-wide Alpha courses that would ultimately reach thousands of people, from preschoolers to senior citizens. The effort was complex—churches active (7), groups formed (300), people involved (3000+), Baptisms (32) — but simple in its goal: expand the Kingdom of God. Dr. Corine Carr, Executive Pastor of Programs at Union Chapel Ministries coordinated the county-wide effort in conjunction with four United Methodist churches; one emergent non-denominational church and one AfricanAmerican congregation. They met each month, prayed together and linked efforts where they might normally overlap.
“What we found when we worked together,” says Carr, “is that we weren’t being A church. We were being THE church.” Solid Strategy Attracts Foundation Support Foundations evaluate ministries to identify the best investments for their funds, adeptly determining ministries that are efficient and effective. Foundations support ministries like Alpha USA who demonstrate proven leadership, strong vision, gifted teams, focused prayer – in short, ministries operating in God’s blessing. In 2009 Alpha USA had 619% growth in pledged foundation funds for Alpha USA ($554,000 vs. $77,000.) Significant foundation support includes:
Campus Alpha’s Vintage ministry internship program
Alpha for Prisons
The Alpha Invitation
Alpha in the Workplace
Alpha Operation Fund
Encourage Foundation Multicultural Alpha
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2009 Income vs. Expense Review 2009 Income vs. Expense Review thank and praise God for thevs. fruit Expense He gave us in 2009.” - Gerard Long 2009 Income Review 2009“Weincome vs. expense review “We thank and praise God for the fruit He gave us in 2009.” - Gerard Long “We thank and praise God for the fruit He gave us in 2009.” - Gerard Long
“We thank and praise God for the fruit He gave us in 2009.” — Gerard Long
Income: $4,633 (’000) Income: $4,633 (’000) Income: $4,633 (’000)
Giving Breakdown: $4,233 (’000) Giving Breakdown: $4,233 (’000) Giving Breakdown: $4,233 (’000)
Expense: $4,604 (’000) Expense: $4,604 (’000) Expense: $4,604 (’000)
“Now to him that is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” Ephesians 3:20-21.
“Now to him that is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that athim work within us,to todo him be glory in the church throughout all to generations, “Nowisto that is able immeasurably more thanand all in weChrist ask orJesus imagine, according his power for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21” “Nowisto that is able immeasurably more thanand all in weChrist ask orJesus imagine, according his power that athim work within us,to todo him be glory in the church throughout all to generations, thatever is atand work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21” for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21” 8
measures of progress and outlook In Alpha’s second year into a 5-year plan, the ministry is on track to achieve the desired results by 2012. By God’s grace, Alpha saw significant growth in key areas in 2009.
Measures of Progress and Outlook Measures of model Progress and Outlook As demonstrated below, Alpha has a progressive of accelerating growth instead of plateauing growth; Alpha USA is at a ‘tipping point’ placing us in a position to achieve the stated Ministry Vision by 2012. Measures of Progress and Outlook Regional Leadership Teams Lighthouse Churches 116% 116%
Regional Leadership Teams Regional Leadership Teams
116%
127% 127%
Lighthouse Churches Lighthouse Churches
127%
Comprised of Lighthouse and Resource Church Pastors, business people, a Regional Director and assistant. They Comprised Lighthouse and Resource Church Pastors, work on theoffront-line connecting with and engaging business people, a Regional Director and assistant. They churches onofbehalf of Alpha. Comprised Lighthouse and Resource Church Pastors, work on the front-line connecting with and engaging business people, a Regional Director and assistant. They churches on behalf of Alpha. work on the front-line connecting with and engaging churches on behalf of Alpha.
Churches that model successful use of the Alpha course and encourage the spread of Alpha to other churches in Churches that model successful use of the Alpha course their communities. and encourage the spread of Alpha to other churches in Churches that model successful use of the Alpha course their communities. and encourage the spread of Alpha to other churches in their communities.
Alpha Advisors
Local Events (Introduction & Training)
Alpha Advisors
Local Events (Introduction & Training) 109% Local Events (Introduction & Training) 109%
27% 27%
Alpha Advisors
27%
109%
Volunteers who have a passion for Alpha : the “Marines” of Alpha who develop and support new courses in their Volunteers who have a passion for Alpha : the “Marines” communities. of Alpha who develop and support new courses in their Volunteers who have a passion for Alpha : the “Marines” communities. of Alpha who develop and support new courses in their communities.
Events cast the vision to Pastors and equip them with tools and resources to run courses helping to add Events the vision to Pastors andDNA equip course cast numbers and improve Alpha . them with tools and resources to run courses helping to add Events cast the vision to Pastors and equip them with course numbers and improve Alpha DNA . tools and resources to run courses helping to add course numbers and improve Alpha DNA .
Alpha Invitations 900% 900%
Alpha Invitations Alpha Invitations
900%
Initiative to mobilize churches and people in local communities to work together across denominational Initiative to mobilize churches and people in localdinner lines to see people attend an introductory Alpha communities to work together across denominational Initiative to mobilize churches and people in local lines to see people attend an introductory Alpha dinner communities to work together across denominational lines to see people attend an introductory Alpha dinner
Active Alpha Churches 47% 47%
Active Alpha Churches Active Alpha Churches
47%
Churches that integrate Alpha into their long-term strategy; our primary objective and a result of all Churches integrate Alpha into their long-term initiatives that combined. strategy; our primary objective and a result of all Churches that integrate Alpha into their long-term initiatives combined. strategy; our primary objective and a result of all initiatives combined.
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Changed lives ent or recommitment to Christ on the 50% of all attendees make a commitm 28% of new converts said they were3 Alpha course.1 | New England study2 revealed 00 new commitments to Jesus Christ. reached through the Alpha course. | 57,5 bers.org 1
2 Study, 2008; 3www.alpha.org/alphabythenum The Barna Group, 2004; Vision New England
very sinful life. I Before Alpha I lived a an
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s th more drugs in my vedin ch a bad life. I su live could imagine. I’ve eness for someone
forgiv didn’t know there was and nagged me to come ed gg na m like me. My Mo wn three times. to Alpha. I turned her do and I didn’t miss The fourth time I went away I got filled a session. The weekend joined the with the Holy Spirit. I e Bobbi Jo church and I married my wif r. — Michael — she was my table leade
Althoug h I was a believ longer er, I wa wanted s convin a n ything t would n ced God o do wit e no v e h me. I r set fo again o ot insid swore I r have I held th anythin e a chu g to do at stanc rch e for 15 w inside a it h Chris years — church, t ia ns. nev even fo and ang r weddin er once steppin ry at G g gs. I wa od whe course. s very h n I was It was u in r t v t it h e e consis shown d to the by the tent we Alpha Alpha h e k-by-we osts th ek care invitatio at matt ns to c ered. P hurch o eriodic would h r churc ave nev h e a r c w tivities foundat orked fo ional ap r me. It proach w as the relation of Alp s back hips — that b ha — building
to Chris t.
I was a Christian, but my husband was not. He mentally abused me, and he pushed me down as low as I could get. I was ready to die and to give up on God. I had prayed for my husband for so long. Unexpectedly, we got a phone call from the man who married us. He asked us to attend the Alpha course. Surprisingly, my husband decided to go and on the second night of Alpha he got saved. The Holy Spirit night he got filled with the Spirit, and I got healed of my depression. Since then, my marriage is restored. — Trina
rn into a Hindu
ved. complete and lo
Alpha is a way to explore what we hunger after — meaning intimacy and relationship — in a very non-pressured, non-judgmental environment. Host of Man vs. Wild on the Discovery Channel™ Voted 38th most influential man in America (Askmen.com) Alpha course participant, enthusiast and endorser. 10
me
I am Indian, bo ite understood family. I never qu ry n but I was ve my own religio e th tianity. I found interested in Chris g in e people lead Alpha course. Th ’s comed everyone the course wel is recommend th questions. I clarification to e m so ts an w ho w ne ilding a to anyo . I am now bu ns tio es qu ed unanswer pray easily now hip with God; I strong relations t as my Savior. ed Jesus Chris and fully accept with accepting as comfortable more Ever since I w ave never fe—ltAd this gift, I h
My faith is my backbone. When everything’s going well, we think we don’t need our faith. We had four climbers killed on Everest, and it shakes your confidence that everything’s going to be all right. In nature, on big mountains — life becomes raw. My faith is quite simple — it is about being held, it’s about being forgiven, it’s about being loved, and it’s about being strengthened. I’m no longer afraid to say that as I was a few years ago, it takes a proud man to say he needs nothing.
Bear Grylls
rought
— Pam
Changed Churches
I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matthew 16:18
The Vineyard Church |
Kenner, LA “Alpha was an absolute success from day one,” recalls Pastor Phil Jeansonne, “It was the right tool at the right time. Alpha gave us a vehicle through which we could become more outward focused in our community. The church has grown tremendously from 250 when we started Alpha 5 years ago to 1,400 on the weekends now.” — Phil Jeansonne, Senior Pastor
Hope Community Church |
Lindenhurst, IL Hope replaced their regular Sunday morning service with the Alpha course for 10 weeks. “We had no idea whether uchurched people were going to wake up on a Sunday morning for Alpha. I’ll never forget that first morning… a ton of people came out!” reported Pastor Wayne Okamoto. “At Hope, Alpha gives members a heart to reach out to people. We’ve seen God transform lives and our church through the Alpha course. — Wayne Okamoto, Senior Pastor
Worship Center |
Lancaster, PA “Alpha helped us focus on reaching the lost in an intentional and streamlined way.
Alpha helped to change us from an inward focused church to an outward focused church. Alpha has engaged the gifts of hundreds of people in our church in the work of ministry and outreach.”
— Joe Castronova, Senior Pastor
Lutheran Church of Hope | West Des Moines, IA “God has blessed Hope with tremendous growth. In a big church it’s difficult to have community; Alpha gets people to connect with one another. God moves dramatically on the Alpha course, a majority of our Alpha guests are now people who have never been in a church before. People whose lives have been dramatically changed can’t help but say to their friends, you’ve just got to come to Alpha!” — Caroline Boehe-Becker, Teaching Pastor 11
Changed communities The Alpha House Houston, Texas The Alpha House-Houston is a Transitional Initiative managed through Christian principles for ex-inmates that have completed the faith based Re-Entry Initiatives at the Carol Vance Unit or the Kegans State Jail. The two quadruplex apartments will be home for 28 men as they continue their reintegration back into society. The house will be sustained through resident monthly payments and contributions from the Alpha House Friends. Through this effort ex-offenders and their families will have a greater opportunity for successful transition from prison. “The Lord is truly doing a new thing.,” said Marleah Baird, “The need is great for a safe and spiritually motivating place for ex-offenders to live.” I’ll teach the men practical things like budgeting their money and time and minister to their spiritual needs.”
“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,” Isaiah 61:1
Long time Alpha supporter and prison volunteer, Adelaide Biggs, shown here with daughter Adelaide Andrews and Bear Grylls, worked with National Director for Prisons, Jack Cowley, to provide the vision and funding required to launch The Alpha House.
One Donor’s Perspective “Following a near death experience in 1993, I wanted to do something meaningful. God kept bringing prison ministry to mind. I wondered and thought about it; I knew God wanted me to stop thinking and do something. I I met Jack Cowley and Alpha ten years ago at the Carol Vance Unit in Houston, TX. I visited Holy Trinity Brompton and learned more about Alpha,” said Adelaide, “introducing prisoners to the God who changes lives is an amazing experience.” “We are all blessed beyond our own comprehension. The world is a suffering place, I feel that each of us has an obligation to do what we can to make the lives of others better. We need to respond to God’s call,“ she said. When former inmate David Earl toured Alpha House, his face grew bright. “It’s a palace,” he said viewing a bedroom that two men will share. “Many communities get nervous when former inmates move in, but a place like this will build their trust,” he said, “The Alpha House will be a better part of the community because we want to focus on making a positive difference here.”
Former Inmate’s Perspective David Earl described the challenge of leaving jail with a few new clothes and $85, “Most of the ways you know how to make money are the wrong ways of your past. In half-way houses, people know you are desperate — they try to take advantage of you, get you to help them sell drugs and other things that aren’t good,” he said. “I’ve been in jail twice - and both times it was deserved. It was more than 20 years of my life and I needed help. In this home, you have a good place to live, a community to help you, teach you and keep straight with the Lord.” 12
ALPHA people on the front lines Jack Cowley, National Director for Prisons & Re-Entry
“When you look into the eyes of a prisoner who has been hardened by life experiences and, after taking the Alpha course, you see Christ in those same eyes — you will understand my commitment to providing Alpha to as many prisoners as possible.” • Jack served 30 years with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections as a prison warden and seven years with Prison Fellowship establishing faith based prison re-entry programs. • B.S. in Sociology and M.S. in Correctional Administration from Oklahoma State University and A.B.D. in Organizational Leadership from the University of Oklahoma
Jenny Noyes, Southeast Director & North Carolina Regional Director
“My faith was transformed in 1991 at Holy Trinity Brompton by the Holy Spirit. I knew America needed Alpha; my heart was fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit to share the gospel in the USA using the Alpha course.” • An early Alpha USA pioneer; Jenny spent 19 years as a passionate Alpha volunteer, joining the Alpha team in 2008. Her team hosted the first Alpha conference at Truro Church in 1995. • Previously Director of Evangelism and Communications Coordinator for the Anglican Communion Network. Attended Duke University, Public Policy, and the University of South Carolina, Masters, Public Administration. Laetitia Allen, Co-Director for Alpha NYC Angela Chadwick, Co-Director for Alpha NYC
“We’re here to invest in the lives of the people of NYC; we’ve witnessed the desperate need that New Yorkers have for the Alpha course. Our hope is to see the church and city of New York transformed by the power of Jesus Christ.” • A native Texan, Angela lived five years in London, attended Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB), Alpha’s home church. She worked for HTB and Alpha International as a video producer in the media department. A native of London, Laetitia grew up attending HTB and running Alpha. She pioneered the Youth Alpha course, ran Alpha in her High School and Campus Alpha at university. Laetitia developed the original HTB cafe in London. Ruthina Northcutt, Project Manager, Marketing, Alpha Central Support Team
“As an Alpha Global Intern, the three months I spent in London gave me a new perspective into my own life as a disciple and servant of Jesus Christ.” Ruthina brought back a passion and clear understanding of the Alpha ‘DNA’. She was immersed in the day to day tasks, culture and ministries at Holy Trinity Brompton and Alpha International and traveled to Egypt on a Global Alpha Training mission. Derek and Cathy Rust, National Directors, The Marriage Course
“We are passionate about Alpha. It is the most effective tool to reach the last and the lost. We want every member of the local church to reach beyond their walls for evangelism using Alpha and the Marriage Course. We’ve personally seen these courses at work all over the world.” • Derek and Cathy have led numerous Alpha and Marriage Courses. Their ministry has a true global flavor, having conducted Alpha training seminars worldwide including the USA, United Kingdom, and Australia. • Derek is a commissioned Lutheran pastor, an experienced church planter and a former staff member of Holy Trinity Brompton.
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board of directors Purpose
Tory Baucum Rector Truro Church
Pam Bock Alpha Ministry Trainer
Mark Emery President, US Operations The Jordan Company
Working with and through churches, Alpha presents the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit through courses of study which answer life’s deepest questions and lead to transformation of individuals, churches and local communities through faith in Jesus Christ.
Board of Director’s Values Gary Gulbranson Senior Pastor Westminster Chapel
Nicky Gumbel Vicar Holy Trinity Brompton
David Housholder Senior Pastor Robinwood Church
• In all that we do we seek to obey, exalt and glorify Christ. • We desire to work with the entire Christian Church in the United States. • We affirm that Alpha is of the Church, for the Church, by the Church and through the Church.
Todd Hunter Bishop, The Anglican Mission in America Gerard Long
Executive Director Alpha USA
Principal Strand Corporation
John Mackay
John O. McNairy
• We recognize the absolute necessity of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. • We walk by Faith, trusting God for the impossible.
President/CEO Harvey Enterprises
Executive Director Alpha International
Chairman Bay Shore Enterprises, LLC
Tricia Neill
Timothy B. Robertson
David Segel
• We regard Prayer as essential in all aspects of Alpha USA, its board, staff and operations. • We value relationally based ministry. • We value the proactive identification, development, and appointment of young adults in Alpha leadership roles.
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Chairman Alpha USA Founder, Chairman and CEO, The Mako Group
United Methodist Church
Rev. David Thomas
Glenn A. Youngkin
Managing Director Carlyle Group
• We value the importance of striking a healthy balance between ministry, family, and individual life; and embracing a Sabbath rest.
ALPHA USA DIRECTORS “My favorite thing about Alpha is introducing people to my best friend — Jesus Christ.”
Gerard Long Executive Director
Jim Charlton Director Course Development
Gerard joined Alpha USA in 2007, but he has been leading people to his best friend Jesus Christ since 1980. He started running Alpha in his home in 1995 and has now led over 50 courses – home, church, club, workplace and jail! Born and raised in the UK and now living in the US, Gerard left behind a successful, 30 year career in the banking industry working for HSBC and now leads Alpha USA as Executive Director. His passion is to know Jesus Christ, to see Him glorified and to lead as many people to Him as possible. While living in the UK, he was an elder and pastor for 17 years of a vibrant church in North London. Gerard relaxes spending time with family and friends and the family’s two golden retrievers. He and his wife Jeannie have three children, Rebecca who works for Alpha, Ben who resides in London and Alex, who he is looking forward to seeing again in heaven.
“I Caught the Alpha vision in 1998, led Alpha on a church staff, helped start and lead Alpha USA/Chicago in 2002.” Background 20 year career as a litigation attorney, partner in a Chicago-area law firm Education BA, University of Illinois at Chicago; JD, DePaul University
“My wife and I came to Christ on an Alpha course.”
Burt Lohoff-Gaida Director Partnerships and Training
Background 20 years International Human Resources career with major consumer products companies, most recently with Abbott Laboratories Education PhD, Political Science, Ruhr University Bochum Germany: MBA, Boston University; Masters degree, Political Science, University of Munich, Germany
“Introduced to Alpha over an informal lunch — my heart raced in discovering the perfect ministry-relational evangelistic ministry rooted in equipping the local church.” Jamie Morrison Director Development
Background 9 years Consumer products marketing at Kraft Foods, teaching and coaching; 8 years Pastoral ministry as teaching pastor, small groups pastor and youth pastor Education BA, Colgate University; Masters of Divinity, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
“I was born-again on an Alpha course and my wife, a Hindu at the time, gave her life to Christ on an Alpha course.”
Mike Singh Director Marketing & Publishing Sales
Background 15 years in entrepreneurial ventures & banking industry most recently with HSBC Education BA/BS, DePaul University; MBA, Kellogg School of Management
“God brought me to Alpha and changed my life.” Background 19 years providing IT business solutions to Fortune 500 companies and publishing New York Times best selling author. Education Illinois State University Susan Woller Director Church Fulfillment IT and Publishing 15
specialty ministries Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:38 Alpha in a Catholic Context Deacon Mitchell has a heart for evangelization and spreading the Gospel. Alpha in a Catholic Context is a proven evangelization tool meeting the needs of the Catholic Church today. He was ordained a Permanent Deacon for the Archdiocese of Detroit in October 2002 after receiving his Masters Degree from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Pastoral Studies. Steve has over 30 years in Sales and Executive Management experience, earned his MBA from Northwood University and served in the US Air Force.
Rebecca has run Alpha courses for teens, students and adults. Through a series of life changing events, God revealed a mission to Rebecca to focus her efforts to see lives transformed through Christ. In 2007 she joined Alpha USA, working in the Marketing department and leading Youth Alpha. Youth Alpha is an exciting tool God is using to introduce 11-18 year olds to Jesus. One leader said, “Today’s generation of teens has become less-and-less familiar with the teachings of Jesus. Yet Youth Alpha proves that young men and women are no less hungry for the things of God.” Rebecca earned a B.A. in History from the University of Bristol, United Kingdom and her MBA with emphasis on International Business and Marketing from Loyola University School of Business, Chicago.
Rev. Steve Mitchell National Director, Alpha in a Catholic Context
Rebecca Long National Director, Youth Alpha; Marketing Manager, Alpha USA
Alpha for Latinos and for Puerto Rico A member of the Hispanic Community and a Cuban-American, José has been working as a bi-vocational missionary in Spain for the past sixteen years. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Denver Seminary. His goal is to help the church in Colorado and the Spanish speaking Church in the United States to use the Alpha course as an effective and modern tool for evangelism. José is partnering with the Denver Seminary Spanish program to train their students in how to use the Alpha course.
Alpha for the Military runs the Alpha course and Marriage Course on ships, military bases, units, and in local churches or chapels with a heart for the military worldwide. A career infantry officer in the United Kingdom, Noel was called by the Lord to relocate to the USA in 1994 to take up a field staff position with ACCTS. Ultimately, he became the ACCTS international coordinator for the Alpha course. In 2004 Noel joined Alpha to direct ministry growth in the military sector. Noel trained at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, and has command and operational experience at all levels of military organization.
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José Garrigó Regional Director, Colorado; National Director for Latinos and for Puerto Rico
Noel Dawes National Director, Alpha for the Military
campusalpha
Dave Short National Director Campus Alpha and Young Adult Alpha
Dave is a 23-year veteran campus pastor and a pioneer of campus ministries in Texas and Illinois. Campus Alpha seeks to assist churches and campus ministries engage the college campus with the Gospel. An ordained minister with the Assemblies of God, he has travelled extensively working with various churches and university ministries both in the U.S. and overseas. Dave studied pre-law at Southern Illinois University and majored in Biblical Theology and Christian Education at Southwestern Assemblies of God University.
ALPHA IN THE WORKPLACE
Mike Singh National Director, Alpha in the Workplace; Director of Marketing, Alpha USA
Alpha in the Workplace is the same effective Alpha course customized for the workplace. It is designed to fit with busy schedules and can be run over a series of lunch breaks, or even breakfast meetings. His vision is for Christians in the work place to see God’s calling for them at work. While at HSBC, Mike held Alpha in the Workplace courses and saw firsthand the impact it had on his work colleagues. He has a passion to stir faith and give a call to action for Christ in the marketplace. Mike earned his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management and joined Alpha USA in 2009 to direct Marketing and Workplace initiatives.
multiculturalalpha
Rev. Christian Zebley National Director, Multicultural Alpha
Jack Cowley National Director, Alpha for Prisons
Derek & Cathy Rust National Directors, The Marriage Course
Christian helps churches reach the world at their doorstep thru the use of Alpha for ESOL and Alpha in Other Languages (72 translations). He recruits National Alpha Advisors to develop networks of language/cultural groups for the growth of Alpha in Other Languages. Christian is a Presbyterian pastor and served 9 years as a Presbyterian Church USA missionary and the National Coordinator for Youth Alpha in Tokyo, Japan. He is a graduate of Swarthmore College, Princeton Theological Seminary and is completing a Doctor of Ministry degree at San Francisco Theological Seminary.
The Alpha course is an effective tool used by the church to provide community members living in prison the opportunity to explore a relationship with Jesus Christ with the hope that once they are released they will not re-offend. Jack served 30 years with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections as a prison warden and 7 years with Prison Fellowship establishing faith based prison re-entry programs. Jack earned a B.S. in Sociology and M.S. in Correctional Administration from Oklahoma State University and A.B.D. in Organizational Leadership from the University of Oklahoma.
The Marriage Course is a series of seven video sessions designed to help any couple strengthen their relationship. Churches can easily develop an effective marriage ministry by using this easy to implement DVD series. Couples enjoy a fun date night setting and work together to build a stronger marriage. “The course is a strong partner to the Alpha course in reaching the unchurched,” says Derek, “both courses provide an excellent opportunity for evangelism as churches reach out to people in their communities.” Derek and Cathy have run courses and led training sessions worldwide. 17
alpha usa Regional Leadership Teams* REGION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . REGIONAL DIRECTOR
REGION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . REGIONAL DIRECTOR
Boston, MA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lisa Smith Chicago , IL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sam Stevens & Tedi McClain Colorado. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jose Garrigo & Anita Jarvis Connecticut . . . . . . . . . . . . . Linley Ruoss Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX . . . . . . Peggy Lively Georgia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jim Naughton Houston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Debi Tengler Indiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rick Gilmore Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kirk Wulff Michigan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Mitchell Mid-Atlantic US. . . . . . . . . . Bill Drennen New England US . . . . . . . . . Willard Cook & Dick Kiernan New York City, NY . . . . . . . . Laetitia Allen & Angela Chadwick New York/Long Island. . . . . Tony Kaiser North Carolina. . . . . . . . . . . Jenny Noyes Northern California. . . . . . . Peter Batchelder
Northwest US. . . . . . . . . . . . Dave Deshazer Phoenix, AZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beth Fitch Portland, OR. . . . . . . . . . . . . Kirk Peterson Southern New Jersey . . . . . Bill Fennen San Diego, CA. . . . . . . . . . . . Ina Masten South Carolina. . . . . . . . . . . Margaret Cotton South West Michigan. . . . . . Lisa Brown South West New Jersey. . . . Dick Wilson Southeast US. . . . . . . . . . . . Jenny Noyes Southern California . . . . . . Marti Clark Twin Cities, MO . . . . . . . . . . Steve Gartland & Debbie Stoesz Visalia, CA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Karl Schafer Washington DC. . . . . . . . . . . Karen Rummel Westchester/Fairfield, NY. . D’Arcy LeClair Wisconsin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stuart Merkel
* 9 Additional teams in process of development
partnerships Alpha USA is blessed to have partnerships with outstanding Christian organizations. Like us, these organizations have a deep desire to tell the good news of Jesus Christ to people outside the church. The objective of these partnerships is to create a win-win situation between Alpha USA and each organization, sharing strengths, resources, expertise and connections in order to further our work and glorify God.
Christian Life Ministries
Compassion International
Breakpoint/Prison Fellowship
18
Luis Palau Association
Mission America Coalition
Catalyst Lake County
Global Media Outreach
alpha by the numbers Effective • 3,650 Number of Churches running Alpha (Sept. 2009) • 115,000 Guests on the Alpha course in 2009 • 5 7,500 First time or renewed commitments to Jesus Christ
Efficient • 29,200 Volunteers working for Alpha • 6 49:1 Ratio of volunteers to FT Equivalent paid staff • 3 ,693,800 Unpaid volunteer hours of labor donated • $26,780,050 Value of the labor at min. wage ($7.25/hr)
Expanding • $10,000 is leveraged in Alpha to create • 100 new commitments to Christ • 281 people reached in those households • $67,484 dollars contributed annually to local church by those reached Alpha USA depends on gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations to touch the lives of thousands of individuals each year Alpha USA is a tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) charitable organization; therefore donations are tax-deductible consistent with IRC Section 170. To invest and expand the work of God through Alpha: Make checks payable to Alpha USA and send to: Development at Alpha USA 2275 Half Day Rd., Suite 185, Bannockburn, IL Give online through www.alphausa.org and look for “Donate” at the top. For wiring or stock transfer instructions call (224) 588-8538. For including Alpha in your will or estate planning call (224) 588-8534. 19
auditors statement*
20/Appendix 1
* Most recent statement
STRATEGic foundation Alpha’s strategy to achieve its Vision is based on three key constituent parts that build off each other and result in a multiplication model. As the model turns out Alpha courses, this in turn feeds back into the model leading to more Alpha courses.
1. Teams
Regional Leadership Teams Regional Leadership Teams (RLTs) spread across the country consist of Lighthouse and Resource Church Pastors, business people and a Regional Director and assistant. They are a core building block for the growth of Alpha across America and are on the front-line connecting with and engaging churches for Alpha. Each new RLT means more pastors, more business people, more prayer warriors more Alpha Advisors, more local training, more finances and more support for local Alpha courses. Lighthouse Churches Lighthouse churches are churches that model successful use of the Alpha course. They are critical to model Alpha/Kingdom DNA as well as encourage the spread of Alpha in an area. Regional teams of Lighthouse Pastors are being developed across the country to build relationships, share best practice and generally provide encouragement to folk who share the vision for the Alpha/ Kingdom DNA e.g. to mobilize the saints for mission. Alpha Advisors Alpha Advisors, typically volunteers that have a passion for Alpha, are critical to support new courses. The ‘marines’ of the Alpha course, Advisors help new and developing courses to be as successful as possible including an encouragement to follow the recipe. They are equipped and empowered to ensure each nascent Alpha course is nurtured and guided with counsel, training, and resources so that the potential of Alpha is maximized.
2. Tactics
These are initiatives that lead to ‘more and better’ Alpha courses including: Local Introductory and Training Events Local and national events help to add to course numbers and also to improve the Alpha DNA.
Lighthouse churches and other Alpha churches model success and typically pique the interest of churches in the community. When these same Pastors invite other Pastors in the community to hear about how they achieved their success, attendance is high at local Alpha events. From these introductory events, visiting Pastors catch the vision and return later with their teams to be trained on how to run Alpha in their church. A national conference is held once annually with the same vision. Alpha Invitation The Alpha Invitation is an initiative to mobilize churches, organizations and people in local communities to work together across denominational lines to see people introduced to Jesus at Alpha courses. The goal is that everyone in the community where an Alpha Invitation takes place knows that they are invited to an introductory dinner or event where they will hear about Alpha as an opportunity to explore the vital questions of life e.g. does God exist, is he who he says he is, what am I doing here, and then make a decision about whether to attend an Alpha course. Product Development and Marketing In a culture of continuous improvement, we are constantly looking to enhance and contextualize Alpha for the local needs. The content of the course (Gospel) does not change but we seek to improve how it is presented to the audience (‘All things to all men’ 1 Cor 9:22).
3. A Central Support Team
This is a team of talented and highly motivated individuals who aim to do as much of the ‘heavylifting’ as possible to enable RLTs and other local teams to be more efficient and effective in spreading the Gospel through Alpha. They serve the RLTs in areas such as: IT and data management, web services, marketing, publishing, training and other ‘Best Practice’, finance, fund development and HR.
Appendix 2/21
“Come, followme,” Jesus said, … … “and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19
2010 Strategic Initiatives 2010 will see ‘more of the same’ established in 2009, key constituent parts building off each other and resulting in a multiplication model i.e. development of Regional Leadership Teams, Tactics that lead to ‘more and better’ courses such as the Invitation strategy, and support staff to do the ‘heavy-lifting’. In addition to this, there are five key strategic areas that Alpha will look to grow and develop in 2010.
Alpha Training — not just more courses, Micro-Alpha — Alpha, run by anyone, with but ‘better’ courses
Alpha USA aims to achieve not just growth, but ‘good growth’. Historically, when we looked closely at why Alpha did not succeed in impacting a church long-term, we found that the ‘Alpha recipe’ was not implemented. We want to ensure that Alpha courses started and run at churches across America follow the same proven model and DNA that makes it so effective and permanent. Because of this, and because we are currently experiencing significant growth in the number of courses (47% growth in churches running Alpha in ’09), 2010 will include a focus on training. Alpha USA training focus in 2010 will center on encouraging, inspiring and equipping individuals and churches to take Alpha to a new level of excellence. Regional teams and local Alpha Advisors will have access to local training, monthly conference calls, on-line webinars and video training. Alpha leaders and church pastors will have increased access to training topics that will help them position Alpha within their church and increase attendance by unchurched guests. 22/Appendix 3
anyone, anywhere, anytime
Alpha USA is constantly on the look-out to identify new and better ways to spread the Gospel through Alpha. Through Alpha courses run in thousands of churches across the country, we find that ‘missional-minded’ churches seek to empower their congregation (especially ‘spiritual entrepreneurs’ within) to take the same proven Alpha course model into their neighborhoods and communities. Alpha USA is developing a product to meet this need. Called ‘Micro-Alpha’ and taglined ‘Alpha, run by anyone, with anyone, anywhere, anytime,’ we are developing a kit that will include everything anyone would need to start an Alpha course in their home, neighborhood, or community. This will allow these ‘spiritual entrepreneurs’ to have the flexibility to run multiple courses a year in the comforts of their home with family, friends, and neighbors. Lives transformed from the course will then be linked back to the local church.
”
Alpha In the Workplace — to stir faith and give a call to action for Christ in the workplace Based on first-hand experience, including a mini revival that took place in the financial sector in the City of London in the early 90’s, Alpha USA has a vision to stir faith and give a call to action to Christians in the workplace to be a more effective witness for Christ while maintaining outstanding success and professionalism in their responsibilities to their employer or business. Alpha USA believes there is no better time than now, particularly as Christians in the workplace question what is truly important and of real value in their lives. A series of ‘Workplace Faith Gatherings’, half-day conferences, will jumpstart the effort with meetings in four regions (10-16 cities) across the nation. The events feature talks by prominent business people who have lived out their faith in the workplace while gaining success. Events will inspire and equip Christ followers to live by faith. Break out seminars will encourage attendees to put faith into action by establishing God at Work groups and Alpha in the Workplace courses.
Global Alpha Training (GAT) — accelerating the
development of Alpha to bring the message of Jesus to the world
The Alpha vision is to make the Alpha product and training possible so that every church around the world has the opportunity to run the Alpha course. GAT teams, from churches at home or abroad that run the Alpha course, go out to other countries around the world to teach Alpha. The mission is that lasting value is imparted as others are ‘taught to fish’. GAT teams may partner with missionaries or pair Alpha training with short-term church mission trips. In 2009, five GAT teams traveled abroad to present localized Alpha training with great success. Teams went to Nicaragua, El Salvador, India and Kenya. 2010 will see an increased focus on recruiting and training GAT teams to go out into the world with Alpha training mission trips.
Alpha Publishing — making Alpha’s life-transforming titles available to everyone Laying the foundation to support the growth in churches in 2009 plus aggressive plans for 2010 establish a solid infrastructure to support more churches running Alpha and other Alpha related product (e.g. the Marriage Course). We believe Alpha is at a ‘tipping point’ in the U.S., as evidenced by the momentum we are witnessing in awareness. Alpha has and continues to produce products that are strong, have the ability to stand-alone, and are highly relevant in the current environment. Further, endorsement by Bear Grylls, including management of his book, gives us better leverage in marketing, distribution, and sales. In 2010, Alpha will launch an exciting initiative to broaden the scope of our distribution network. Alpha USA seeks to leverage the Alpha brand and product-set beyond our current method of direct and web marketing, mostly to existing Alpha churches. The goal is to make these life transforming titles readily available to churches that haven’t already heard about Alpha such as through Christian bookstores and to the general public through secular distributions channels.
Appendix 3/23
THE ALPHA COURSE explore the meaning of life
AlphaUSA 2275 Half Day Road Suite 185 Bannockburn, IL 60015
alphausa.org 1.800.DO ALPHA