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Invitation: What is it? What are the benefits?
What is it?
We have developed a four minute video to explain the purpose as well as share the excitement and fruitfulness of the Alpha Invitation. Click here to play the Invitation Introduction Video. Click here to purchase the Invitation Introductory DVD.
The Alpha Invitation happens when members of two or more churches and Alpha courses send a collective “Invitation to their communities” to the introductory Alpha dinners held in restaurants, homes and churches. At this “Introductory Dinner”, guests are introduced to the Alpha Course and invited back to attend the ten week course. All the personal invitations are supported by increasing the visibility of the Alpha Course using billboards, banners, yard signs, and car magnets.
The main benefits of the Invitation are:
- It raises the profile of the Alpha Course, making it easier for congregations to invite their non-church-going friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors to their Introductory Alpha dinner;
- It creates a ‘buzz’ and ‘momentum’ in the community leading to increased faith among Christians, more boldness and more energy to pray, plan, implement and invite people to the Alpha Introductory dinner, and
- It encourages unity amongst the churches in the community that God blesses (Ps 133).
A key outcome of the Invitation is that more churches that run Alpha courses, the more invitations there will be to the ‘lost’ to attend leading to more commitments to Jesus Christ and disciples of Him.
Recent Research in New England showed: 28% of all converts (in New England) came through the Alpha Course. Silas Partners, April, 2007
50% make a commitment to Christ on the Alpha course.
(29% first time commitment, 21% re-commitment)
Barna Group
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The Invitation Brings Unity
Nicky Gumbel reminds us that, “Unity is absolutely key. It is fantastic to see Catholic and Protestant, black and white, rich and poor, old and young, male and female coming together uniting around the Gospel of Jesus Christ and praying to see that message go out across the nation.”
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