Alpha Lab brings together leaders to build on past successes

Jenny Burr
Spur Ottawa Correspondent

The world-renowned Alpha Program has run countless times in the Ottawa area. On June 18, Alpha facilitators and potential enthusiasts will gather for the Alpha Lab to discuss the program’s successes and how to take it further.

“The Alpha Lab training day is designed to help attendees understand the vision and the heart of Alpha,” explains Ryan Moffat. “We’ll share and learn together on how to be radically hospitable, lead invitational lives, and provide guidance on how to plan a fantastic Alpha weekend.”

Moffat first began leading Alpha more than 10 years ago. He is now the regional director for Alpha in Ontario. He says Alpha Lab attendees will also learn about “some of the exciting things Alpha is offering, such as the new Alpha Film Series and the Global Alpha Campaign, featuring outdoor adventurer Bear Grylls.”

Hosted at Bethel Pentecostal Church, the Alpha Lab is for anyone currently running or considering running Alpha. The program includes worship, prayer, and activity-based training.

Lakshmi Rutnam is the program director for Alpha at Woodvale Pentecostal Church. She also leads the Capital Region Alpha Team. Rutnam was first introduced to Alpha in Sri Lanka, in 2000.

“The fellowship meals really help people relax and get acquainted.”

“Evangelism is a desire I’ve had since I was a child,” she says. “When I recognized Alpha as an evangelical tool I decided I wanted to introduce my family and friends who were on the fence with their faith in Jesus.”

In 2012 the Lord began placing Ottawa on Rutman’s heart and in 2014 she moved here from Toronto. Shortly after, one of her pastors asked her to be the church’s Alpha director.

“Living a radical invitational lifestyle is an Alpha premise and I envisioned the congregation pursing this lifestyle. That winter, Alpha took the church by storm,” she shares.

Rutnam says she hopes that through the Alpha Lab churches are “encouraged to get their congregations involved in taking to heart and executing the Great Commission.”

Nahia Haddad is another local believer who is passionate about Alpha. In fact, she first came to faith through the Alpha Course.

“Alpha is an effective way to introduce people to Jesus,” she says. “The fellowship meals really help people relax and get acquainted. I’m from the Middle East and fellowship over a meal is our way of building friendships.”

“What we hope will happen is that many churches will join in offering the Alpha Course.”

Haddad highlights how versatile the Alpha Course is—you can even take it online. By providing a platform for discussion and innovation to those interested in offering the course, she says the Alpha Lab aims to help more local churches use the program.

“What we hope will happen is that many churches will join in offering the Alpha Course, whether in their church, homes or small groups, business, or just one on one with friends. Depending on the need, we may offer more Alpha Labs in the future.”

Brent Daniel also serves on the Capital Region Alpha Team and coordinates Alpha at Kanata Baptist. As he prepares for the Alpha Lab this week, he shares his enthusiasm about the program’s past success and the new plans ahead.

“It is a privilege to participate on this team. Upon coming to faith in Christ, in April 1996, I was asked to participate on a team launching the Alpha Course at the church my wife and I were attending.”

Daniel invited a dozen friends and by the end of the course half of them decided to follow Jesus. After more than 20 years of experience with Alpha, Daniel says, “I have seen many come to faith taking the course.”