Alpha pioneers give and verse on Bible

Millions

of people around the world listen to the Bible in One Year app and take part in Alpha, an introductory course about Christianity. NICKY and PIPPA GUMBEL, who have overseen the growth of both ministries, talk about their desire to help people access the message of the world’s bestselling book

Interview by Emily Bright

ADVENTURER Bear Grylls, CBBC presenter Gemma Hunt and director of the human genome project Francis Collins come from very different fields. But what brings them together, like millions of other people who have participated in it, is the Alpha course. The trio all feature in a promotional trailer that invites people to ‘explore the questions of faith, life and meaning’ through the course, which consists of a series of videos and informal discussions. Alpha has been translated into more than 100 languages and is conducted around the globe.

Husband and wife Nicky and Pippa Gumbel, who have been engaged in Christian ministry for several decades, oversaw the development of the Alpha course from its earlier days in 1990 at the west London church of Holy Trinity Brompton, where Nicky was a minister. Back then, it was an 11-week course for people who had recently become Christians. But, as Pippa remembers, there was the potential to reach a much broader audience.

‘We realised we could use the course to reach people who didn’t have any church background. We reordered some of the talks to make the environment a place where those people could feel safe.’

Nicky explains that part of the appeal of Alpha is that ‘it’s a fun, relaxed, nonconfrontational, unpressurised way to explore the really important questions in life, like, “What is my ultimate purpose, what happens when I die and what is forgiveness?”

‘There’s a verse in Proverbs, which says, “In the heart of every human being, there’s a deep well, and the wise person draws it out.” The task of a host on an Alpha course is to draw out the deep well that is in every human heart. Everyone has a lot to contribute. And, as we listen to one another, we learn from one another. There’s no preaching. It’s about just listening, learning and exploring together. And people love it.’

He adds that in Alpha groups, a sense of community quickly develops as people share what is going on in their lives.

‘Sometimes people are so open, and they say things like, “I’m an alcoholic” or, “I’m struggling to forgive my ex-husband” or, “I’ve just had a row with my mum.” It’s real, human and vulnerable, and people connect through that. As humans, we tend to think we’ll impress people with our strengths, but actually we form deep connections through our vulnerabilities.’

Nicky gives a word of advice to those exploring belief in God: ‘I would encourage people to go to an Alpha group. Most of our groups are not churchgoers, but people who are exploring Christianity and trying to find their way forward. If you don’t like it, there is no pressure to go back, and if you do like it, what an amazing impact it could have on your life!’

Nicky and Pippa know full well the