NEW YORK -- A low-key lecture-and-discussion series targeting the unchurched has reached almost four million people around the world, according to the British organization Christian Research.
About 4,200 U.S. churches are using the Alpha courses to introduce non-Christians to Jesus and scripture, according to Assist News Service. The course is an easy way for church-goers to involve unchurched friends or family members, Alpha leader Nicky Gumbel said.
The 15-part series is designed for people to gather for dinner and small group discussion. Pre-selected topics include "Christianity: Boring, Untrue and Irrelevant?"; "Who is Jesus?"; "Why and how should I read the Bible?"; and "Does God heal today?"
The Alpha course was developed by Holy Trinity Brompton, an Anglican church in central London. Holy Trinity began offering the course to its community in the early 1980s; it became an international effort in 1993. Offices are located around the world, including New York City.
Churches interested in hosting the free course can sign up through Alpha's Web site.
"It's all friendship based," Gumbel said. "There's no knocking on doors. It's friends bringing friends."
