The Alpha Course
If God did exist, what would you ask?
At Alpha people explore the Christian faith in a relaxed setting over ten thought-provoking weekly sessions, with a weekend away.
It is low-key, friendly and fun. It is totally free. Dinner is served and childcare is provided.
We are hosting an Alpha Course beginning September 7 at 5:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Why not take this opportunity to explore the meaning of life?
Here's One Persons Testimony about Alpha:
In November of 2002 at 65 years of age, my mother finished her long and courageous battle with lymphoma. On several occasions prior to her passing, I was asked to pray for her.
At the time, I wasn't even sure God existed, much less that prayer would help my mothers's condition. I've always been a down to earth sort of guy and this all just seemed beyond reality to me. But it troubled me that I didn't know for sure.
The weekend before I was to drive to Houston for what would be my last visit with my mother (at least in this world), I took my family for a walk along a trail at MT Nebo, a mountaintop state park in Arkansas near where we live. While on that walk I came across a walking stick, a unique insect to say the least. It got me thinking about the marvels of this world and that someone must have designed it. Maybe there was a God after all?
At Mom's funeral, I really began to wrestle with the realities of life and death. What had really happened to my mother? I knew that she was a Christian, she had often tried to talk me into going back to church. (We had attended sporadically while I was growing up) My sister also was "Born Again" and it was something she and Mom shared. I didn't see the point. I was lost.
During the 8 hour drive back to Arkansas from Houston my wife and I had a long conversation about God, Jesus Christ, and eternity. Although the two of us thought we were alone in the car for that 8 hour drive, I now Know there were three of us. I was overcome with a whole new understanding that the world really was created. The possibility of all this happening by coincidence was ludicrous! Why couldn't God, who created the universe, come to Earth in the form of a man, born to a virgin? Compared to creating the universe, that would be easy! We decided we should look for a church to join.
After a short search, we found a church that we liked. I was still uncomfortable in that I didn't have a solid religious background. Church felt foreign. Then one Sunday, there in the seat was a brochure for a course called ALPHA, an "entry level" course to learn about Christianity. My wife and I decided to sign up and we brought along our 13 year old daughter who had never been to Sunday School.
I thought we were taking a course that would teach us about Christian religious principals and practices. I expected to get to know about Jesus, instead I got to know Jesus! About the third week of the course, I asked Jesus into my life. I felt a strange surge of energy, to be honest, it startled me and I stopped my prayer and went to bed. A few days later I got on my knees and asked God to reveal himself to me, I desperately wanted to know if this was for real. I prayed that it didn't matter to me if I lived or died at that moment, that this was the most important thing to me, I put everything else out of my mind, I asked God and I waited. After several minutes, all of a sudden, I felt a tremendous energy, an overwhelming feeling of joy it was similar to the feeling I had had on that earlier evening, but even more powerful. This time I didn't stop and break it off, at that moment, on January 31, 2003, I knew that it was true, God was real, he loved me and I knew where my mom is! I have learned that not everyone has this type of experience, but that is the way it worked with me.
The bottom line is that God created the universe. He created man to have a relationship with Him. Without Him we have a void in our life. Try to fill it with whatever you want, but only He can satisfy! Eve and then Adam fell for the temptations of the world and messed things up with their sin. Sin blocks the relationship between God and man and left unchecked will result in our permanent separation from God.
The problem is that It is nearly impossible for Man to completely avoid sin. As far as I know it has only been by one man in the last 2000+ years and that was Jesus himself. So God gave us Jesus to show us the way, and more importantly to make a way, that we might be forgiven of our sins. Jesus took our sin upon himself, and makes it possible for us to have a relationship with God through His Holy Spirit. Its a little complicated, yet so simple. So many talk about Heaven and eternal life to get saved to avoid eternal damnation. To me, the present alone seems enough, living and building a relationship with God, through Christ is a pretty big deal! He has brought tremendous peace and blessing to my life. I give all the credit for any success of ARTRAC Company to God. I don't know why he wants me to sell tractors for a living, but I trust that He does know!
At one point about a year after my mom's death when I felt a little unsure about my faith I looked out the window and of all things, there on the pane, was that strange insect, a walking stick. Coincidence? Well, I don't believe in coincidence anymore!
Jesus commanded his followers to go and make disciples of all nations. I'm adding this page to this site to reach those that it may. If you have read this far, perhaps He is guiding you toward His Kingdom. It isn't coincidence! If you would like to find one of the 6000 church locations that offer the ALPHA course near you click here. . I found it to be a wonderful experience, no hype no pressure, no question is too simple or too complex. They don't teach you religion. Instead you will get answers to who Jesus is, why He died, how he rose again, and why it is important to you.
If you are already a Christian, perhaps you know someone who might like to know more about the Christian faith who might benefit from attending an ALPHA course. I've found that it is not religious rituals that make us Christians its having a continuing, everlasting relationship with God through the Son. Amen!
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. May God bless you!