Nearly three times as many Alpha initiatives run in 2017 in Ottawa

Matt Charbonneau
Special to Spur Ottawa

Churches across Ottawa are applying greater focus on faith through invitation, this fall, promoting the basics and beauty of Christianity through an increased number of Alpha courses.

A sort of “temperature change” is taking place in the area as a result, says Ryan Moffat, Alpha Canada’s regional director for Ontario.

“It’s been really good to see so many people jumping on, that’s for sure,” he says.

Of the estimated 180 offerings of various Alpha programs in the national capital region this year, about 110 are running from September through December, according to Alpha Canada data.

“There is greater desire in churches to have people reach out to Jesus.”

The organization’s statistics show 130 different organizations and individuals are staging the program in Ottawa, including 60 churches. By comparison, Moffat says 46 Alpha expressions were held in the city last fall, run by 22 churches and 10 other organization.

“There is greater desire in churches to have people reach out to Jesus,” Moffat says.

Created in 1977 in an Anglican church in England, Alpha seeks to introduce the Christian faith to the general public, helping them explore deeper questions life may present. Since its revision in the early 1990s, Alpha has spread worldwide, running in both Catholic and Protestant churches.

Local interest appears to serve as a snapshot of a broader trend, as Alpha Canada studies indicate the number of Alpha offerings in Ontario has more than doubled over the last two years. Across Canada, Alpha has run about 4,600 times so far in 2017—the largest annual total since Alpha Canada opened in the late 1990s.

“I think there is a hunger in parishes to invite people to explore the questions of life,” says Alpha Canada national director Shaila Visser.

“It’s a treat to see God at work and touching people’s hearts.”

Alpha courses typically follow a standard format lasting 10 to 12 weeks. They include a provision of food, talks and videos focused on a specific topic, and follow up group discussions.

“I would say Alpha is a very good gateway for people to grow in faith,” says Peter Sinn, an Alpha committee member at St. Maurice Parish, a Catholic church in Nepean.

St. Maurice Parish is currently holding its fourth Alpha course since 2015, with a fall session each year and an extra course this past winter.

Welcoming a variety of people ranging from young adults in college or university to individuals of retirement age, Sinn says the program is geared towards non-believers or people not actively participating in their faith.

“Alpha is more about establishing faith in people who have doubts,” he says. “It’s a treat to see God at work and touching people’s hearts.”

Sinn credits recent outreach strategies with the growing interest in Alpha programs.

“At the end of the day, the Spirit of God softens the heart and welcomes people in.”

Coordinating “door-to-door evangelization” in the church’s neighborhood back in early September, Sinn says Alpha organizers aimed to invite non-church goers from the community to “come and see” in order to discover a personal relationship with Christ.

“It’s really remarkable to see where the people of God will see Alpha reaching out in the community,” Visser says, highlighting the “radically invitational” nature of Alpha. She adds, “At the end of the day, the Spirit of God softens the heart and welcomes people in.”

The program is even making substantial inroads with teenagers thanks to a Canadian-made Alpha Youth series, says Ottawa high school chaplain Geoff Guitard. Guitard is currently leading his third Alpha Youth program in the last two school years.

“I think it’s a fresh, modern introduction to faith that kids can experience,” he says. “It’s meaningful to them. They see the evolution of individual growth and maturation.”

With Alpha seemingly flourishing in Ottawa this fall, organizers remain committed to continuing to build momentum moving forward.

“A challenge for parishes is to build on the Alpha program in order to keep the fire of the quest burning in the hearts of participants,” Sinn says.