Alpha Course run in Salvation Army a great success.

An Alpha Course was run in the Salvation Army hostel off St Stephens Green in Dublin 2 late last year. It was a great success with ten / fourteen people attending. See photos (below) of the final night in which certificates for the completion of the Alpha Course were presented.

Evelyn Hamilton, St. Marks Dublin

I have run 16 Alphas over 10 years in Dublin and still find it a most effective and inclusive means of reaching people who are seeking from those who are mildly curious to those who are really searching what life is about.

Davood Kami, Dublin

My name is Davood. I am from Iran. 7 years ago I became a follower of the Lord Jesus. I did an Alpha in Iran and it was the best way for me to learn more about Jesus. I came to Dublin in 2005. I am now involved in bringing the gospel to fellow Iranians in Dublin.

Polish Alpha Leader Piotr Glisciak, Monkstown

My name is Piotr. I am from Poland and came to Dublin in 2003. I love Jesus and run the Alpha course for Polish people in Dublin. Alpha is an excellent tool for telling Polish people about God’s amazing love for them

Ger Nevin, Offaly

Alpha is simple. Its all about friendship with each other and with Jesus Christ, the only hope for our lives

Pat Shannon, Dublin businessman

I find Alpha exciting. I’m the kind of person that loves a challenge. Alpha has given me a language to speak to people I meet about Jesus. It has even given me a language to share my faith with my own children.

Rob Clarke, Irish Director, Youth with a Mission

The Alpha Youth pack has a load of brilliant ideas and useful resources. So much of the work has been done for you. Gather some young people and have a go

Rev Ken Wilson Methodist Minister Gorey

All my life I have wanted to make connections with people outside the church. The Alpha Course is a brilliant way to do this. I have run Alpha on an interchurch basis for the past 10 years and have seen many lives turned around. It would be sad if all our churches in Ireland don’t embrace it.

John McNicholas, Youth Alpha Leader

It has made a big difference in my own faith and I have seen it make a big impact on others. Alpha addresses all the main issues of Christianity in an atmosphere that is non threatening or cringy and that people can enjoy

Ronan O’Rourke, from Bray – Alpha Leader

The Alpha small groups provide a friendly environment where deep friendships are forged. The shared experience on an Alpha course really knits a group of strangers together

Mary Flynn, Castlerea – Alpha Leader

The group found the talks easy to understand, humorous and very life giving. After the 10 weeks they wanted more. I am delighted that are continuing to meet weekly to pray the Sunday gospel.

Deirdre O’Farrell, Sandymount, Alpha Leader

On Alpha I noticed the enthusiasm in people when they talked about God. They seemed to have a real zest about them. It was this enthusiasm that caused me to bring Alpha to my own parish

Fiona Kinsella, Student Dublin

We had an opportunity at Youth Alpha to all discuss what we believed in a friendly and relaxed way. No judgements. No pressure. I really liked it. We had dinner every week. It was great.

Jane, Ballymun

“My name is Jane and I live in Ballymun. Some time ago my 6 year old daughter began asking questions about God. I pretended to be knowledgeable and would tell her I’d come back to her. However I knew I didn’t have the answers. When a friend invited me to go on an Alpha course I was reluctant as I didn’t consider myself a religious person. She said she would come with me so we both went along.

I found the Alpha course a very good start for me as I had so many questions. When the lovely talks by Nicky Gumbel were over we had the chance to ask questions in the small group. I was able to ask whatever I wanted and not feel stupid or intimidated.

On the night on the subject “Does God heal today?” one of the leaders offered to pray with me and I knew that the prayer she prayed was just for me alone. After weeks of deliberation I knew at that moment the path was right for me. I wanted to follow the Lord Jesus and I thank Him for showing me that path. I also thank my little daughter for encouraging me to go to the “God Classes” as she called the Alpha Course.”

Clonliffe Alpha Courses Feedback

‘ I have never heard the Bible explained so well before and I found the talks very challenging.’

‘I will always remember the Away Day- I got wonderful healing, thank God.’

‘The liturgy will be a lot more meaningful as Alpha has helped me develop a more personal friendship with Jesus.’

‘I enjoyed the great atmosphere. It gave me a better understanding of God and the Bible.’

‘It brought new insight into reading and pondering the Scripture.’

‘It gave me a real inner peace through the week, but especially after a hectic Thursday at work. Nicky is a fantastic speaker who simply stimulates the discussions that follow.’

‘I enjoyed the talks on DVD by Nicky Gumbel. They were so scriptural, so clear and easy to understand, full of humour and each talk really touched me.’

Tommy O Brien – Airfield Pastoral Council. “I can honestly say the Alpha programme has been the most spiritually enriching course I have ever attended in my life. It gave me new insight into my faith, who Jesus really is, and it opened up the Scriptures to me in a new and exciting way. I believe every parish in Ireland should participate in this programme. Having completed the Alpha in Clonliffe in Dec 06 we are now starting an Alpha in our parish at the end of January 07”

Fr Eugene McCarthy C.P. PP Hunstown. “I found the Alpha course very challenging, I found it inspiring and very much in keeping with the mindset of people today. I think it could be very useful in the parish context as a modern means of evangelisation. We seem to talk a lot today about evangelisation but Alpha enables us to do it, if we have the courage and time to present it in our local context”.

Angela Caulfield - River Valley Pastoral Council, Swords. “It gave me a deeper understanding of Scripture and it greatly enriched me in my daily life. It gave me courage to be able to freely share my faith with others. I would recommend it to people who are searching for meaning in life. For those who are committed there is so much more they can learn from doing Alpha”.