Alpha leader tells of

program impact

  
By JOHN FORTMEYER
CNNW publisher
   HAPPY VALLEY — A worldwide course on the basics of the Christian faith is unmistakably making a huge impact spiritually, and can do the same here in the Northwest, the program’s national director told a gathering here last month.
   “God seems to be doing something with this,” said Gerard Long, executive director of Alpha USA, at a Jan. 13 dessert event at the home of David and Joan Browning, pastor and wife from Portland’s Trinity Fellowship.
    Long, a native of Great Britain who now lives in Chicago, Ill., spoke earlier in the day about the Alpha course to about 25 local pastors at Greater Portland Bible Church.
    Alpha is a course on the basics of the Christian faith and thus an opportunity to explore the basic meaning of life. It originated at a Church of England parish in London. It is an opportunity for anyone to explore the faith in a relaxed setting over 10 thought-provoking weekly sessions, with a day or weekend away.
    Today, Alpha courses are run in churches, homes, workplaces, prisons, universities and a wide variety of other locations. The course is being run around the world by all major Christian denominations. In 2008 more than 33,500 courses were offered in 169 nations by a wide range of denominations. More than 15 million people worldwide have attended an Alpha course.
    Long said that while Europe is well known for having seen a decline in Christianity in recent decades, that decline has leveled off, “and the main reason, according to Christianity Today, is Alpha.”
    In the local region, Alpha is offered in dozens of churches. Awareness of the program has been promoted by local billboards featuring British adventurer Edward “Bear” Grylls, star of cable TV’s Man vs. Wild.
     Following what he says was a dramatic encounter with God in 1980, Long felt a calling to serve in a church in north London.  He was at the church for 22 years, including 17 as a pastor, while also working in the banking and finance industry. Long holds a degree in banking and finance and worked for HSBC, one of the largest banks in the world, for 30 years, retiring at the end of 2006. All through his banking career, Long sought to introduce his colleagues to Christ and lead many Alpha courses in the workplace.
     In 2006, Long decided to leave behind his highly paid banking career and join Alpha USA to help people explore the meaning of life.. He now leads the organization, whose mission is to serve local churches in presenting the Gospel through the Alpha course.
    The local meetings were arranged by Alpha’s Northwest regional director, Kirk Petersen of Portland. Under his leadership, the number of churches offering Alpha in this area has doubled, to about 48.
   “Alpha’s impact on the local church is phenomenal,” said Long. He said the course not only gives congregations “a heart for the people outside of church, but also more disciples in the church.”
     The course draws people to Christ because it focuses so directly on Him, Long added.
   “This is about Jesus Christ and Him crucified, and getting back to what He wants us to do,” he said.
    Browning said Alpha has been well received when offered at his church because the format so readily allows strong relationships to be built. “I think people are starved for community,” he said.
    Reese Mayo, pastor of Portland’s Waterfront Foursquare Church, said Alpha has been offered about nine times at the church over the past seven years and that he himself has been greatly blessed by it.
    “It’s been renewing for me,” he said. “It’s great.”
     For more information, contact Petersen at 503-819-2605 or kirkpetersen@alphausa.org. Pe-tersen will be featured speaker Tuesday, Feb. 22 at the Newberg breakfast of the Christian Chamber of Commerce of the Northwest. To register for that event, go to www.cccnw.net or phone 503-928-8354.