Over 8 million people worldwide have now attended an Alpha course, an opportunity to explore the meaning of life, running in tens of thousands of churches of all denominations, and at universities, in prisons and on military bases across the world. At Alpha you’re invited to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed setting over ten thought-provoking weekly sessions, with a weekend away as a part of the experience. It’s a low-key, friendly and fun way to learn and to meet some new people.
At Christ Community, Alpha begins each year in early September, m
id-January and mid-April, each with a retreat, either at the beautiful facilities of the YMCA of the Rockies, or a comparable retreat facility within a reasonable driving distance from Greeley.
Each week’s session begins with either a dessert (Spring) or a meal (Fall and Winter), followed by a talk relating to a key issue of the Christian faith, followed by group discussion. There’s no charge for the meal or the childcare, 
and a very nominal charge for the discussion guides and weekend retreat.
The pictures to your right are from recent Alpha Retreats: Spring (top) and Winter (bottom) 2010.
Pat Abernathy, Christ Community Alpha Leadership Team Member
At the conclusion of his story, Pat mentions God giving him
the gift of drawing as a result of his coming to faith in Christ through Alpha ... a gift he had never before had in his life.
To the right is a copy of one of Pat's most recent portraits, entitled "All Clean". He completed this portrait just a couple of days before giving his story above at the Alpha Conference. We think you'll agree that this is amazing!
Rick: "I grew up in a church setting where it was all about keeping the rules and jumping through religious hoops. I did it all, felt as empty as ever, and was tired of having to perform in order to fit in. I came to Alpha highly skeptical that Christianity was anything more than performing my best in order to please God and get into Heaven. Wow, was I surprised! All my sincere questions were met with acceptance and honesty. Refreshing! Through Alpha I've learned the difference between working hard at religion and having a personal relationship with God."
Mark: "When I first heard about the Alpha course I was at a stage when I was searching for something 'out there'. I really needed to ask questions and not feel like I was getting a hard-sell pitched at me. Now I perceive things differently and just feel so at peace. I have also met a wonderful bunch of new friends on the course."
Graham: "The first evening surprised me completely. The people were from all walks of life, from different races, classes and abilities. During the first evening, there were no prayers or heavy preaching. We were just given the opportunity to listen to the talk and then discuss anything we wanted. I chose to ask some challenging and confrontational questions, but they were welcomed, and I was made to feel valued and appreciated. I enjoyed the evening so much that I couldn't wait to go back the following week..."
Maria: “Before I had always thought you had to do good to be a Christian, and I knew I was not good enough…But the people in Alpha…helped smash that idea…no one is better than the next.”
Marta: “9/11 hit and my life changed. While I was fortunate not to lose anyone I loved, my company went out of business, and my fiancé and I broke off our engagement as a result of the tension…I had "issues" with organized religion. Christianity is not the religion I grew up in, and I had hostility to religion to begin with, so I had a lot of questions, but I learned a lot.”
Anthony: "I didn’t expect the warm welcome I received, the interesting discussions or the lack of pressure to speak in the small groups that followed. I found that I could express any doubts about Christianity, and that my opinions would be respected. If I had an issue with something, I had a forum to voice it with no need to apologize."
John: "Over the years, church became more of a social club… I’m still figuring it out. I was nervous the first week but was placed at a table with other young people, many of whom were going through the same stuff I was. But now God is a daily part of my life. The friends from Alpha have become some of the closest friends I’ve ever had."