alpha males

The Alpha course is not just for men like Bear Grylls, Grant and Craig, but for anybody, male or female, curious or christian. We catch up with Craig Humphrey and Grant Ballantyne to find out their thoughts on the Alpha experience...

Tell us about your experience with Alpha?

Craig: I didn't have a lot of expectations when I went to Alpha.  I was going to a church I had been to many years before, so I was pretty confident that it would be Ok. 

Grant: I went to Alpha a couple of years ago with a new Christian friend of mine.  I didn't have many expectations when I arrived, and it was at a different church, so it was a bit daunting.  I really liked meeting lots of new people, especially some of the older, wiser people and in the end we created a really nice, close community.  It deepened my friendship with the person I went with, and it deepened my understanding and love for God. 

What did you do on the nights?

Craig: Each Alpha night was similar - sharing a meal together, followed by a video presentation and then breaking into groups to discuss the video and any questions we had. The videos were easy to follow and very informative.

Grant: We shared a meal together, watched a movie and then had small group discussions with dessert. I really got a lot out of the dinner and small group discussions. The movie was thought provoking, but nothing special - discussing the nightly themes around the table was the most enlightening part. 

Why did you decide to do Alpha?

Craig: I grew up in the church - attending Sunday school and then various youth groups, but I had been away from the church for about 6 or 7 years during my mid to late 20's. I knew I needed to be back in a church family again, but felt I needed a reminder of what Christianity was all about. I guess it was a 'reboot' of sorts.

Grant: I knew about Alpha from a member of my family completing a course, so when a new Christian friend of mine mentioned that they wanted to do something similar, I found out where they were putting one on locally and invited her to come with me. 

Why would you recommend it?

Craig: The relaxed environment made it easy to just check things out without feeling any pressure. Meeting people over a meal always makes it easier to get to know people and helped me feel comfortable. In just a few weeks all the basics were covered and I was able to confirm that it was the right choice for my life - returning to the church family. I really liked the opportunity to discuss faith, beliefs, values, and life in general with others who were either considering or already under way with making changes in their life, as well as a few folks who were more mature in their faith.

Grant: I would recommend it for anyone, whether you are a new Christian, someone who is new to ashgrove and wants to make connections, or someone who has felt their faith grow stale and wants to be reinvigorated through communion with other Christians. I would especially recommend it for anyone who wants to invite a friend who they know is right on the edge of becoming a Christian but needs a bit of a push to take the plunge. For me, this course was less about the content and more about the community and love that you felt when you shared your lives and inner most thoughts together.  So come along ready to open up and be challenged.

For more info on the Alpha course click here or speak to Stewart Beveridge missions@ashgrove.org.au