What is Alpha?

Since 1994, HMC has run Alpha courses regularly. Originating from Holy Trinity Brompton, Alpha is an eleven week introduction to Christianity. It is intended for anyone – from those just enquiring about faith to those who may have been Christians for some time but who’d like to be encouraged in their faith.

How does it work?

Each session is intended to be informal and unthreatening. A typical evening involves a short talk followed by group discussion. There are no ‘no go’ areas on Alpha and those attending are encouraged to express their doubts and to challenge what the speaker has said as well as expressing their agreement. This might suggest that sessions can be a bit fraught – however, our experience is that much of the evening is spent laughing! In the years we have been running Alpha, we have had courses ranging in size from 80-2! (We believe the course is so good, we’re more than prepared to run it for two!) Our most recent course had 7 on it. We’ve run courses in pubs, restaurants, homes, community centres and schools as well as on church property. We’ve done morning and evening Alphas and also Youth Alphas - aimed specifically at teenagers.

What is the fruit?

Over the years the fruit from our courses has been incalculable. Many who began the sessions as atheists or agnostics have gone on to find faith and have since been welcomed into our church. Others having been Christians for some time, have found that their faith ‘came alive’ to them and that ‘God and all things spiritual’ have become far, far more real. Many testify to a new sense of calling and a renewed desire to serve God. Others feel that they have received a new anointing for ministry.

The Holy Spirit Day

Central to the Alpha course (and what sets it apart from most other introductions to Christianity) is the Holy Spirit Day. This is a full day of teaching on the Holy Spirit, placed in a context of worship and culminating in an opportunity to be prayed with to receive Christ and/or to be filled with the Holy Spirit. For several years now HMC has made its Holy Spirit Days available to other churchesin the north-west and beyond, who are running their own Alpha courses but who feel they lack expertise or experience in this area. Churches from every major Christian denomination have attended our Holy Spirit Days and our ministry team has had the privilege of praying with literally thousands of people. These range in size from 20 to 150 people. We normally host about 3/5 days a year. It’s amazing!

Those of us involved in Alpha at HMC have been amazed at all God has done in and through it. It is an excellent course for both outreach and encouragement; though we realise that for many, Alpha is part of a process and that beyond it must lie further nurturing in, for example, housegroups and the wider life of the church.

If you are interested in finding out more about Alpha courses in Helsby then please contact us on      hmcadmin@btinternet.com