Alpha: Finding Rest for Your Soul

By MaryKate Newcomb

"I have been blessed every time I go to Alpha. It's like a chipping-away at the crust of so many years in a Christian atmosphere. Talking to new believers is like talking to people from a foreign country--they have new eyes for things my own eyes glaze over. And Alpha is on Wednesday, when my feelings are at their lowest ebb. Every Wednesday I think, I just want to skip it and stay home. But we go, and it's good." -letter to a friend, October 2004

I had just experienced an exhausting year: the birth of my son, multiple health problems, grieving over close friends' terrible losses. I was drained in every way and very angry at God. My husband and I put aside some of our other responsibilities and decided to help with Alpha, about which we had heard so many good things. I wanted to see what the course was like, and honestly, to eat delicious meals I didn't have to prepare or clean up, and enjoy 2.5 blessed hours of free childcare. No matter how crummy and draining the week had been, I left every Alpha meeting much less heavy-laden (except in the food department!).

What lightened all these burdens for me? Was it the food, a splendid break from baby, Kevin Hula's stand-up routine? Partly, but more than that: I was given the opportunity every week to physically rest, so that I could experience Jesus as he truly is, a loving God who offers rest for my soul.

"Each week I learn something great, and feel more like God is know-able. It's kind of sad that I have been educated in the faith since birth, and all these simple concepts for adult new Christians are not so simple or clear to me." --letter to a friend, November 2004

I never really talked about the Gospel with non-believers before. I was scared to invite anyone to church-what if someone does something bizarre? But Alpha is different. There's no scary insider lingo, no high-pressure sales or questions like "Are you SAVED yet?" I simply saw people's lives change. Two people said their first prayers out loud in our small group. I got to pray that a person would receive the Holy Spirit, and actually understood what that meant for the first time. People prayed for me, cared for my son, became my friends. I took a small step of faith and God rewarded me with a deeper understanding of His love for everyone and His love for me.

If you're curious, skeptical, downright hostile, or a new believer in the Christian faith, come to Alpha. If you have a friend or relative who has questions you just can't answer, invite them to come with you. Experience what Christ offers: "Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

Alpha starts Wednesday, September 7th. You can sign up in the Concourse Sundays through August.