Download - Alpha USA Ministry Report 2011
“The thousands of places around the world running Alpha courses are united by the many stories of people whose lives have been transformed by Jesus Christ. I hear testimony after testimony of people coming to know Christ on the Alpha course.”
2 TRANSFORMING Lives, Churches & Communities
“I was raised in a Muslim household, and when I couldn’t
honestly profess Islam as my faith, my parents kicked me out of the family.
“At the Alpha course, I learned that Christ came and died for my sins. I just couldn’t get over the idea - or
even come to terms with the idea - that there is a God out there that
would love someone like me.
“I knew that if I professed this truth, there would be no turning back. I
would have to let go of my family forever and never have my mom
and dad in my life.
“So, yes, I lost my family, but I gained 100 times more! The church has
become my family and my home.”
Sabrina, Illinois
Nicky Gumbel, Senior PastorPioneer of the Alpha Course
Holy Trinity Brompton, London, England
* About the cover: the featured “word cloud” is representative of the thousands of questions
regularly asked at www.alpha.org.
3TRANSFORMING Lives, Churches & Communities
“In middle school, there were certain groups of kids. There were
the preps, the nerds, and there were the stoners, my group. It led me to a life of alcoholism,
addiction, drug rehab and, ultimately, a couple of years in the
state prison.
“Leaving prison, I heard about Alpha. As soon as I walked in,
people greeted me, welcomed me, showed me where the coffee
was. I told them I was a recovering alcoholic and addict, just released from prison, and I got nothing but
acceptance from them!
“Really, I’d need hours to tell all the difference that Christ has made in
my life!”
James, Florida
“When you are a teenager, it’s a lot about peer pressure: wearing the right clothes, saying and doing the right things at the right time. Alpha
broke that for my group.
“If I was going to invite my friends, I had to know that what I was going to
say was something that was worth losing my friends for because when
you stand up there and you say, ‘Jesus died on the cross for you,’ some
people will never talk to you again. I asked myself, Is it worth it? Is this what I really believe? Is this what I
want to stand up for?
“I think there are a lot of teenagers out there who aren’t being used; they are a waiting army. They are the people with the most time, the most energy and know how to communicate the best with their peers. They are the ones in the high school every day. If
they catch a vision, they can transform the world.”
Alba, Colorado
“We’re in the city of Paramount, which is right next to the city of Compton,
California, known as the birthplace of the bloods, a street gang and
gangster rap. So we have a lot of just really rough folks. The church was
looking for some program that would help us reach out to the community.
The Alpha course was really the linchpin for us.
“We will take over 1,500 people into the city of Compton to serve by painting
and cleaning. Folks we serve ask, ‘How do I get to know your God?’ We
say, ‘Come on out to Alpha!
“People from an urban setting, they love Alpha. Alpha connects! If you are
a pastor in an urban setting, you’ve got to run Alpha!”
Bill, California
“I never liked being a drug dealer, but I was lost, and I didn’t
know how to get away from that lifestyle. I went to Alpha with a
friend when I moved to a house next door to a church! We felt
really comfortable and welcome.
“I felt so totally unworthy to be accepted by God. I have done
some bad things in my life. After Alpha, I started attending church
regularly; it’s changing me and softening my heart.
“Jesus brought peace and meaning into my life. I’m just so grateful for the Alpha course. I’m
at peace, filled with the Holy Spirit, serving God.”
Anthony, Idaho
Listen to these stories and more at www.alphausa.org/morealphastories.
“JESUS BROUGHT PEACE AND MEANING INTO MY LIFE”
4 Strategy/Principles
To make disciples of Jesus Christ from all walks of life. To transform our society, one life, one church and one
community at a time.
Mission
18 million people reached in the United States by 2020 with the wonderful news of Jesus Christ using the Alpha
course, a contribution of approximately 18 percent to Alpha’s global vision to reach 100 million people by 2020.
Vision
Alpha USA Operates by Seven Kingdom Principles*
Prayer | Unity | God’s Provision | Strategic Thinking | Outstanding Stewardship | Ministering Two by Two | Multiplication
*Read more about Alpha Kingdom Principles at www.alphausa.org/kingdom.
Our mission and vision will be completed through the local church, and in 2012, we will focus on further
increasing the number of churches that run Alpha, the number and types of courses that churches run, and
the number of guests who attend an Alpha course.
A sample of core initiatives that will deliver on those objectives includes an increased focus on training and quality, a nationally coordinated approach on Holy Spirit weekends, a continued cultivation and collaboration with strategic ministry partners and
churches, and an enhanced recruitment of leaders, teams and volunteers.
Strategy
Principles
Dear partners and friends,
There has never been a more exciting time than now in the ministry of Alpha USA. In 2011, Alpha USA documented* significant growth, as more churches ran fuller and more robust Alpha courses, leading to more transformations for Christ.
I am thrilled to report the encouragement we hear from around the country, including the facts that a church in Iowa rejoiced as 60 of its 80 guests made first-time commitments to Jesus Christ, a North Carolina police department offered the Marriage course to couples in domestic abuse situations, a Youth Alpha course in Illinois originally planned for 70 students but reported attendance of 119 students by week one - impressive when you consider the total church size is about 180 people, and a mortgage-banking executive attended Alpha while in prison, where God turned his life around and introduced him to ministry.
Over and over, we hear about lives, churches and communities coming alive as guests meet the Person of Jesus Christ on an Alpha course. But the impact is even wider than that, as churches document other areas of growth that occur hand in hand with running Alpha courses, notably more guests from outside the church and volunteer leaders ages 18 to 35, an increase in worship attendance and membership, an increase in the congregation members’ ability to articulate their faith, and an increase in giving.
By God’s grace, Alpha is growing across America. This, however, is not without its challenges. As we persevere through one of the toughest financial eras of our time, we remember who sustains us and that prayer, worship and thanksgiving are at the core of everything we do. It is also at this time when we seek to find more who are willing to partner with us, either strategically or financially, as the harvest is plenty, but the workers are few.
We have a vision to reach 18 million people in the United States by 2020, approximately 20 percent of our global vision of 100 million. It is our hope that this report will both bless and encourage you – perhaps even inspire you to come alongside us as we pray and plan for the kingdom of God to break out across America.
Gerard Long Executive Director Alpha USA
A church in Iowa rejoiced as 60 of its 80 guests made first-time commitments to Jesus Christ.
A North Carolina police department offered the Marriage course to couples in domestic abuse situations.
A Youth Alpha course in Illinois originally planned for 70 students but reported attendance of 119 students by week one -- impressive when ...the total church size is about 180 people!
5Executive Director
6 What is alpha?
The Alpha course is a practical introduction to the teachings of Jesus Christ. The 10-week course (one time per week), with a day or weekend away, is presented in a nonjudgmental and relaxed environment, starting with food and conversation, followed by specific teachings and study, and ending with small group discussion.
Alpha is for everyone, welcoming people from all backgrounds, viewpoints and even religions and of all ages. It addresses critical life topics, such as the existence of God, the purpose of life, what happens after death and others.
Churches of every major denomination have run Alpha in a variety of settings — churches, prisons, schools, coffeehouses, boardrooms, cafeterias and living rooms. Due to its focus on the teaching of Jesus Christ as found in the Bible, churches of all denominations, sizes and demographics run the course with great success. Alpha is uniquely suited to reach people inside their “comfort zone.”
Alpha has been effective due to the makeup of its DNA. Guests are made to feel welcome and at ease in an environment of food, fellowship, study and conversation, and course hosts and helpers are more like facilitators than teachers or leaders. Guests are known to come to the truth in a Spirit-filled environment, as opposed to being told the truth.
Alpha was founded at Holy Trinity Brompton church in London in the late ‘70s. Designed as a means of presenting the basics of Christianity, Alpha has been recognized around the world as an effective way to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
GLOBALLY 169 countries18 million guests110 languages
50 states3 million guests127 denominations
usa
WHAT IS AlpHA?
“The Alpha course is super laid-back, and it’s fun. You don’t have to do it to impress anyone. You can be yourself and just be very honest ..., and it’s so low pressure it’s ridiculous ... Explore those unanswered questions, and then you can make an informed decision ....”
- - Bear Grylls, Alpha enthusiast and endorser, former host of Discovery Channel’s “Man vs. Wild”
7What People Say!
One of the most effective evangelism tools for the 21st century.Dr. Rick Warren, Senior Pastor, Saddleback Church
millions of people consider the claims of Jesus Christ in fresh and stimulating ways through Alpha.Bill Hybels, Senior Pastor, Willow Creek Community Church
The Alpha format is right for our time.Dr. Tim Keller, Redeemer Presbyterian Church
WHAT the press says“Many claim Alpha has changed their lives and appear genuinely happier for the experience.”
“Alpha ... uses modern methods to promote and explain Christian teachings around the world.”
“A novel approach to Christian education that has been catching on nationwide.”
WHAT ministry leaders say
The Alpha course is a new way of announcing the Gospel.Archbishop Rino Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization
8 Strategy & Growth Through 2011
WE HAVE BUILT A STRONG AND SOLID CENTRAL SUPPORT
TEAM OF WHICH CHURCH/ALPHA
STAFF RATIO HAS GROWN
176%.
REGIONS RUNNING
ALPHA HAVE INCREASED BY
400% (FROM 12 TO MORE
THAN 60).
Four years of r&d has given Alpha USA a proven strategy that is producing tremendous fruit for God’s Kingdom.Gerard Long, Executive Director, Alpha USA
92011 Highlights
NEW DISCIPLES PER YEAR HAVE INCREASED BY
193% (FROM 41,000 TO
MORE THAN 120,000).
SPECIALTY MINISTRIES
(SUCH AS CAMPUS, YOUTH) HAVE GROWN AS
MUCH AS
300%.
CHURCHES RUNNING
ALPHA HAVE INCREASED BY
175% (FROM 2,070 TO
MORE THAN 5,700).
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
OPPORTUNITIES
HAVEDOUBLED.
DONATIONS HAVE GROWN BY 49%.
Frui
tIn
fra
stru
ctur
eM
inis
try
Pene
tra
tion
10 TransformING Lives, Churches & Communities
“I went into the Alpha course skeptical. I went originally as the angry agnostic. I was upset because God had ruined my life and treated me wrong. I had done everything right in my life, and it still wasn’t going right. So what happened?
“I thought that no one was going to prove anything to me. But at Alpha, I opened up when I realized that the people in my small group actually cared about me!
“Unconditional love was new to me. I finally surrendered to a God who I realized really did love me just for who I am. I didn’t have to buy His love or earn it.”
Peter, Pennsylvania
“My wife and I heard about the Alpha course while attending the national prayer breakfast in Washington, D.C. I got this sense I was being set up by God! I left D.C. convinced to go for it. Four weeks later, at our first Alpha conference, we trained 700 people!
“We plunged into Alpha with everything we have!
“I think the Alpha Holy Spirit weekend will be revolutionary in the life of our churches as people get a handle on the teaching of the Holy Spirit.”
Bishop C. Milton Grannum, Pennsylvania New Covenant Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
“My mom passed away, and there was so much to deal with, and I wasn’t dealing very well at all. I knew something was missing in my life, and I didn’t know what it was.
“I saw the Alpha course advertised on car bumper stickers, so I called to find out about the course. I had not been to church in over 10 years. The people I met there were so kind, friendly and welcoming. They never judged me. I began to face up to my life.
“I came to this epiphany that I wasn’t alone, . . . that God is here! He’s been here all along, and I can have a relationship with Him.
“Jesus has made all the difference in my life. It’s really amazing.”
Yessenia, Kansas
“The people I met there were so kind, friendly and welcoming.”
ONE PASTOR’S EXPERIENCEAlpha has opened wide the side doors of our church! Bonhomme was 185 years old, and feeling its age, when we felt called to reach out to our increasingly postmodern neighbors. Alpha not only gave us the perfect on-ramp for new people; it transformed our congregation into an inspired community of culturally relevant evangelists who are helping new people come to faith every year! After a decade of running Alpha, we’ve seen more than 1,000 people go through the course, we’ve helped plant Alpha at several nearby churches, and every week we are seeing several first-time guests in worship. We’re 196, and we’ve never felt younger!
from sketchpad to reality:
Don Everts, Minister of Outreach, Bonhomme Presbyterian Church, and award-winning author of several books, including I Once Was Lost: What Postmodern Skeptics Taught Us About Their Path to Jesus and Go and Do: Becoming a Missional Christian
“Non-Christians (and Christians) go throughthe Alpha course and
have a life-transformingexperience.”
“These people return to take part in the
Alpha team as helpers and table hosts.”
“People are excited about their relationship with God; their church involvement evolvesfrom Alpha, and they
give of their time, talents and finances within the church.”
startalpha
CHURCH ISGROWING &IMPACTING
COMMUNITYFOR CHRIST
attractnew
members
“Now they are fully invested in what God has called them to do, sensitive to the leading
of the Holy Spirit.”
“CHURCHES, LIVES AND COMMUNITIES ARE TRANSFORMED
BY THE GOSPEL.”
RENEWED HEARTS FOR
SURROuNDING COMMUNITY &
THE WORD
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
11impact flow chart
12 Strategy 2012
1. Grow the number of churches, number and types of courses, and guests.
Grow the number of churches running Alpha: • Increase the number of local teams, advisors
and volunteers.
• Increase the number of lighthouse churches and pastors.
Grow the number and types of courses per church:• Increase the number of trainings offered locally.
• Increase the quality and offerings of resources and training tools.
• Increase promotion and awareness of specialty ministries.
Grow the number of guests per course:• Invest in a nationwide advertising and publicity
campaign.
• Increase the number and effectiveness of pre- Alpha initiatives [Marriage, Parenting and so on].
2. Prayer and the leading of the Holy SpiritPrayer continues to be the first priority for Alpha USA and includes support from about 1,000 prayer warriors in Uganda, six national prayer calls each week, regional and specialty ministry (including Prison and Campus Alpha) prayer meetings, and participation in 24-7 global prayer initiatives. We have recently appointed an advocate to encourage and coordinate more prayer across Alpha USA.
3. Alpha Weekends A key part of the Alpha course is the weekend away to learn about the Holy Spirit --- who He is, what He does, and how He fills Christ followers with God’s love and power to be His witnesses. More and more churches are joining together for these weekends to experience outstanding worship, teaching and ministry. Leveraging off an existing weekend makes it much easier for more churches and individuals to experience these life-changing events. Our goal is for each region to have two or more churches hosting at least two joint weekends every year.
4. Partner ChurchesAlpha USA is not a parachurch organization but exists to serve and support local churches. We are partnering with more and more churches, previously termed Lighthouse churches, that share our vision and passion to spread the gospel across America using Alpha.
5. Training (including Global Alpha Training, or GAT)More and better training results in higher-quality courses; better marketing, including word of mouth; and, ultimately, more people making commitments to Christ. To better serve churches, our strategy is to provide local training through our regional teams, and in 2011, more than 8,000 leaders were trained in 279 local training events across the United States. So far, we are on track to meet or exceed our 2012 goal to train 9,000 more leaders. To help and improve the regional training events, we are developing an online listing of approved speakers. We are also offering remote training opportunities through webinars, conference calls and our new “Preview” series.
Our priorities in 2012:Our strategy is based on four key pillars:
1. Prayer the central and undergirding power of all we do.
2. People founded on relationships and organized in local and specialty teams.
3. Purpose equipping every person and team with the tactics to build more and better Alpha courses.
4. Provision of support from a central team that aims to make the local and specialty teams as efficient and effective as possible in spreading the gospel.
More churches
MORE COURSES IN EACH OF THE CHURCHES
MORE GUESTS IN EACH CHURCH AND IN EACH COURSE
THEY ALL ADD UP TO MORE TRANSFORMATIONS FOR CHRIST.
alpha [ FOR PRISONS ]
alpha[ IN THE WORKPLACE ]
alpha[ IN A CATHOLIC CONTEXT]alpha [ LATINO ]
13Strategy 2012
In 2012, we have piloted a new Mobilize Conference in the Twin Cities, Minnesota, and Charleston, S.C., and the excellent feedback will help us as we plan for 2013 and 2014.
GAT is a key part of our strategy and involves equipping churches to train churches overseas to run Alpha, for example, when they go on a short-term mission trip.
6. PartnershipsRecognizing that Alpha is just a part of what God is doing across America, we are always looking for opportunities to better spread the gospel and glorify God with church denominations, church associations and/or ministries. For example:
Alpha course materials were featured as a recommended resource at the Assemblies of God National Convention in August 2011, a course on Alpha was taught at Southwestern Seminary in February 2012, and Alpha has been invited to train church planters connected to the Church Multiplication Network (AG church-planting group).
Willow Creek Church had a successful Alpha pilot, has already started a second course and is now considering Youth Alpha. We will be promoting Alpha at the Willow Creek Association Global Leadership Summit, which links to some 65,000 churches.
7. Regional Advisory BoardsOur regional teams promote, support and train local churches in how to grow using the Alpha ministries. On average, there is a threefold increase in churches running Alpha when a regional team is in place. To strengthen and sustain local Alpha activity across America, we are developing a Regional Advisory Board (RAB) for each team consisting of pastors of our partner churches, business/community leaders and a regional director. The RAB provides spiritual, practical and financial support to the work of Alpha in the region.
The Alpha USA Central Support Team (CST) works to support the local and specialty teams as efficiently and effectively as possible in spreading the gospel. The CST consists of gifted and highly motivated individuals providing marketing, finance, HR, IT and data management, publishing and fund developing, and overall unifying purpose and leadership.
14 Alpha USA Staff
“It is a great privilege to come home each evening and share with my family all that the Lord is doing through the ministry of Alpha. My part is small, but important in the overall mission of the ministry. I know each of my day-to-day tasks helps advance the message of Jesus, and there is no better feeling than knowing I am doing what God has called me to do.”
Andrey Tsupruk, Workplace & Publishing Coordinator, Alpha USA
Sam Stevens, regional director, leads the Regional Leadership Team in Alpha Southern California. The team includes an Advisory Board made
up of local pastors and business and community leaders, partner churches, Alpha advisors, prayer partners, course administrators and a host of volunteers. Together we serve and partner with local churches and organizations to facilitate the growth of more and better Alpha courses.
We are a nonprofit 501(c)(3) and depend fully on local giving to fund the ministry.
Promoting the Alpha course:• TRAINING
Provide Alpha training, including Getting Started and Advanced Training, to develop dynamic courses.
• ALPHA COURSE PROMOTION Introduce churches, organizations, ministries and individuals to the Alpha course.
• THE ALPHA INVITATION Mobilize churches and communities to work and pray together to promote Alpha courses through a region- wide media campaign.
• ALPHA REGIONAL WEEKEND Organize regional Alpha weekends for churches running the course to join together.
• PRINT RESOURCES Provide churches and ministries with print materials needed to promote, run and augment Alpha courses.
Developing the Alpha ministry:• CONSULTING
Provide individualized attention to churches, organizations and ministries to position Alpha for maximum effectiveness.
• NETWORKING Develop a network of churches to provide prayer, encouragement and financial support for the Alpha ministry.
• MINISTRY DEVELOPMENT Facilitate the growth of Alpha in contextualized settings, such as Youth, Campus, Prisons, Workplace, Military, Seniors and Alpha in other languages.
• FAMILY LIFE Equip churches with tools to build and restore relationships through the Marriage Course, Marriage Preparation Course and Parenting Course.
• PRAYER Pray for the churches and Alpha courses in our region, and organize regional prayer initiatives.
Alpha USA established an elaborate network of Alpha regional teams, Alpha coaches and course volunteers to build ministry support and develop new and stronger courses. Alpha USA has more than 53 regional teams nationwide.
These teams are on the frontline and are scalable and effective units to increase the Alpha impact across the country. Alpha coaches volunteer their time in counseling and training new churches to run the Alpha course with the greatest possible impact.
From left, Alpha USA CST members Ruthina Northcutt, Andrey Tsupruk and Eleanor Cercavschi
Regional Leadership Teams
what Regional Leadership Teams do:
Central Support Office
SPECIALTY ALPHA MINISTRIES
15Alpha USA staff
Gerard Long, Executive Director Gerard’s passion is to know Jesus Christ, to see Him glorified and to introduce as many people to Him as possible. Born in the United Kingdom and now living in the United States, Gerard started running Alpha in his home in 1995. He was a pastor for 17 years while also an executive at one of the
world’s largest banks, HSBC. Gerard left a successful 30-year career with HSBC, as senior vice president, to lead Alpha USA .
Jim Charlton, Director of Course Development Jim led Alpha for a church staff, then helped start and lead Alpha in Chicago. Jim had a 20-year law career with a Chicago-area law firm. His BA is from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and his JD from DePaul University.
Mike McCandless, Director of Development Mike’s journey took him and his family from a 20-year marketing, publishing and consulting career in Silicon Valley to executive positions at Campus Crusade for Christ and Prison Fellowship Ministries. Mike holds a BA in political science from Knox College in Galesburg, Ill. and graduate
certificates from Stanford University’s Executive Institute and Professional Publishing program.
Mike Singh, Director of Marketing & Publishing Mike and his wife came to faith on an Alpha course. Mike spent 15 years in entrepreneurial ventures and the banking industry, most recently with HSBC. He earned a BA/BS from DePaul University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management.
Susan Woller, Director of Church Fulfillment, IT & Operations God brought Susan to Alpha, and the experience changed her life. Susan’s 19-year career prior to Alpha was providing IT business solutions to Fortune 500 companies.
Excellent companion courses to the Alpha course providing practical, relevant support in all areas of family life and relationships.
alpha [ IN PRISONS ] Alpha in a criminal justice setting gives inmates permission to actively participate and discuss issues, questions and concerns as they explore Christianity. This ministry saw 7 percent growth in 2011.
alpha [ IN THE WORKPLACE ] The Alpha course tailored to fit effectively in a one-hour lunch break. Together coworkers explore the Christian faith in a relaxed, nonthreatening atmosphere. This ministry grew 217 percent in 2011.
alpha [ FOR SENIORS ] Providing spiritual care for seniors and creating a new awareness of the spiritual needs of the elderly.
alpha [ MULTICULTURAL ] Multicultural Alpha courses presented in Arabic, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish, all designed to meet the mosaic of ethnic groups in the United States.
alpha [ ESOL ] Alpha in English for speakers of other languages is a series of short, live talks presented in English and designed for people who are new to Christian concepts.
Introduces young people (ages 11 to18) to Jesus Christ. Run by teens for teens, it is richly contextualized for groups using live talks, video clips, stories and object lessons. This ministry realized 41 percent growth in 2011.
Condenses the classic Alpha course into seven weeks and is spiced with multimedia ingredients. This ministry grew 50 percent in 2011.
alpha [ IN A CATHOLIC CONTEXT ] The Alpha course presented in a Catholic setting is used by parishes to inspire Catholic renewal and answer the call to the New Evangelization. This ministry grew 74 percent in 2011.
alpha [ FOR LATINOS ] The Alpha course presented in Spanish. This ministry saw 220 percent growth in 2011.
themarriagepreparationcourse
themarriagecourse
theparentingchildrencourse
theparentingteenagerscourse
Tory Baucum, Rector, Truro Church | Pam Bock, Alpha USA, Trainer | Mark Emery, President of U.S. Operations, The Jordan Group | Nicky Gumbel, Vicar, Holy Trinity Brompton | Gerard Long, Executive Director, Alpha USA | John Mackay, Principal, Strand Corp. | John McNairy, President, Harvey Enterprises | Tricia Neil, Executive Director, Alpha International | Timothy Robertson, Chairman, Bay Shore Enterprises, LLC | David Segel, Founder & CEO, Mako Group | David Thomas, United Methodist Church | Glen Youngkin, Managing Director, The Carlyle Group
Mana
geme
ntBo
ard o
f Dir
ecto
rs
Who Runs Alpha Courses?Churches of every major denomination are running Alpha courses. Alpha courses are run in every imaginable setting, including church classrooms, prisons, schools, coffeehouses, executive boardrooms, cafeterias and living rooms. Alpha is uniquely suited to reach people where they feel most comfortable.
16 METRIC
Alpha USA Key Metric 2008 – 2011 & 2012 F
Alpha Course Quality Indicators*
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
Courses run per year per church
1.9
2.7
42%
0
10
20
30
40
50
Guests outside church 18-35
31%
45%
45%
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40%
21.9
30.6
Guests on courses
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
59%
Leaders under 35
17%
27%
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Number of commitments & recommitments
9%
47% 51
%
Held an Alpha Weekendaway included the threetalks on the Holy Spirit
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
51% 57
%
12%
0
20
40
60
80
100
82% 90
%
10%
Our Alpha Day/Weekend includedopportunites to receive personal
prayer for healing
0
10
20
30
40
50
Helps increase attendance in worship services
33% 46
%
38%
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Ability to articulate faith
88%
38%
71%
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Adult baptisms
27%
30% 38
%
Increased openness to Personand work of Holy Spirit
52%
50% 76
%
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
0
1000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
Active Alpha churches (as of May)
2,55
0
3,68
5
4,35
5
5,62
7
7,03
4
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Regional Leadership Team/Regional Advisory Boards
19
41
51
59
74
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Lighthouse churches
25
71
89
111
11
33
41
Alpha Weekends (teaching/experiencing the Holy Spirit)
0
10
20
30
40
50
Alpha Advisors (as of May)0
200
400
600
800
1,000
1,200
600 76
3
829
880 1,
100
Local events (for example, Taste of Alpha and Getting Started)
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
100
209 23
6 279 34
9
Alpha Invitations0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
3
30
54 57
72
Global Alpha Training0
10
20
30
40
50
2
5
21 21
42
2008 2009 2010 2011
2012 --- Forecast
2010 2011*based on a survey of more than 600 churches running the Alpha course
17FINANCIALS
2011 Income vs. expense Review
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
Courses run per year per church
1.9
2.7
42%
0
10
20
30
40
50
Guests outside church 18-35
31%
45%
45%
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40%
21.9
30.6
Guests on courses
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
59%
Leaders under 35
17%
27%
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Number of commitments & recommitments
9%
47% 51
%
Held an Alpha Weekendaway included the threetalks on the Holy Spirit
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
51% 57
%
12%
0
20
40
60
80
100
82% 90
%
10%
Our Alpha Day/Weekend includedopportunites to receive personal
prayer for healing
0
10
20
30
40
50
Helps increase attendance in worship services
33% 46
%
38%
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Ability to articulate faith
88%
38%
71%
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Adult baptisms
27%
30% 38
%
Increased openness to Personand work of Holy Spirit
52%
50% 76
%
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
0
1000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
Active Alpha churches (as of May)
2,55
0
3,68
5
4,35
5
5,62
7
7,03
4
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Regional Leadership Team/Regional Advisory Boards
19
41
51
59
74
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Lighthouse churches
25
71
89
111
11
33
41
Alpha Weekends (teaching/experiencing the Holy Spirit)
0
10
20
30
40
50
Alpha Advisors (as of May)0
200
400
600
800
1,000
1,200
600 76
3
829
880 1,
100
Local events (for example, Taste of Alpha and Getting Started)
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
100
209 23
6 279 34
9
Alpha Invitations0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
3
30
54 57
72
Global Alpha Training0
10
20
30
40
50
2
5
21 21
42
2008 2009 2010 2011
2012 --- Forecast
2010 2011*based on a survey of more than 600 churches running the Alpha course
79.28%
12.54%
8.18%
88.55%
6.68%4.77%
88.95%
1.91%9.17%
Income: 5.58 M
Giving
Publishing
Misc. Conference and Product Development Income
Giving Breakdown: 4.4 M
Individual
Foundation
Churches
Expenses5.4 M
Program Development & Support
Administration
Fund-Raising
*Estimate based on Barna Research that 50% of course participants make a commitment or recommitment to Christ.
6,194 Churches currently running Alpha courses
240,000 Guests on Alpha courses in 2011
120,000* Commitments to Christ in 2011
Effective71 Alpha USA Regional Leadership Teams
30,000+ Alpha volunteers
$45,000,000 Value of volunteer labor
EfficientImpact of $10,000 invested in Alpha:100+ New commitments to Christ (under $100/conversion)
262 Family members also impacted (spouse and 1.62 children)
$67,000 Contributed to the work of the local church
Expanding
18 Alpha by the Numbers
Alpha USA depends on gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations to touch the lives of thousands of individuals each year. Alpha USA is a tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) charitable organization; therefore, donations are tax-deductible consistent with IRC Section 170.
To invest in and expand the work of God through Alpha, make checks payable to Alpha
USA, and send to: Development at Alpha USA, 2275 Half Day Rd., Suite 185, Bannockburn, IL 60015.
Give online through www.alphausa.org, and look for“Donate” at the top. For wiring or stock transfer instructions, call (224) 588-8538. For including Alpha in your will or estate planning, call (224) 588-8538.
“In our opinion, the financial statements referred to present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Alpha USA as of December 21, 2010 and 2011, and the changes in its net assets and its cash flows for the years then ended are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the USA” *Current year audit in process.
www.alphausa.org/audit
19Participate
“Because we are called to be the best stewards we can be with the money God has given us, we look to see where God is moving in order to find the best return on our investment for the kingdom of God. Clearly God is blessing Alpha USA.
“Lives are touched and transformed in the thousands every day by the Holy Spirit. That’s a wonderful return on our investment.”
Jenny Emery Donor, board member and Alpha volunteer
“It has only been recently that our family has learned how to give. We were very good at giving of our time and service, but we were still learning how to give with our resources. Recently, we began giving financially to Alpha USA, and it has been the best investment! Of all the many things we spend money on every month, the one that brings us the most joy is giving to Alpha. We know that this gift, however big or small, is going toward something we love, which is sharing the Good News of Jesus with others. Knowing that Christ is transforming lives, families, communities and even whole countries through a tool like Alpha is amazing. Now when we give, we are just so thankful that God allows us to play a part in His great work.”
Anonymous
“The number of people who have gone on an Alpha course and become Christ followers is staggering, myself included. I think Alpha has the right approach --- it partners with and relies on the local church. That’s an efficient way to get the word out about our Lord Jesus Christ.
“Ultimately it’s all for God; it’s His money. I give to Alpha because I know that there is a strong return on my investment. I want others to have the Alpha experience I had; I’m so humbled and grateful.”
Ike Hong Donor, Alpha volunteer and former guest
Financial Partners’ Comments
aUdiTor’s STATEMENT
ALPHAUSA
2275 Half Day Road
Suite 185
Bannockburn, IL 60015
1.800.DO ALPHAalphausa.orgTHE ALPHA COURSE