It is low-key, friendly and fun - and is supported by all the main Christian denominations. Why not take this opportunity to explore the meaning of life?

Who is Alpha for?

Alpha is for anyone...
Everyone is welcome on an Alpha course and people attend for a wide variety of reasons. Some want to investigate whether God exists and whether there is any point to life; others are concerned about what happens after death. Still others may have attended church on and off all their lives but feel they have never really understood the basics of the Christian faith. People come from many viewpoints - but all come with the same objective: to establish whether Jesus Christ has any real relevance for their lives.

...in every kind of church
Alpha is being run by churches of every different denomination, including Anglican, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Brethren, Pentecostal and Salvation Army. Wherever the course is being held, all churches provide the same material, making alterations only to suit local culture.

What will it cost?

The Alpha course is free

What happens?

Dessert / light meal
Almost all courses begin or end with a dessert or meal of some kind.

Talk
The main talk of the evening addresses a key issue relating to the Christian faith. Most courses use a video of speaker Nicky Gumbel giving the talk.

Coffee
At the end of the talk, the guests break for coffee a daytime course might have a light meal..

Small Groups
Many guests speak of how they find the small group sessions to be the most valuable and rewarding times of the whole Alpha course. The sessions are an opportunity to ask questions, express opinions and to discuss the topic of the evening. They also provide an opportunity to make friends and to kick ideas around in a relaxed and non-threatening environment.

End
Most courses will have a specific time when discussion is brought to a close - although guests are free to stay and chat.