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Alpha News Oct Edition
Alpha News Oct Edition
Alpha News Oct Edition
Introductory Dinner]
It has been inspiring to witness the dedication of many Alpha leaders, facilitators, worship leaders and helpers who work behind the scenes year after year running their Alpha Courses, said Vinnie Tang, Acting National Director. And it has been especially exciting seeing churches start an Alpha Course for the first time. One such church is Leng Kwang Baptist Church. Pastor Jimmy Boh, shared how they had been looking and praying for a life-style evangelistic platform that emphasized relationships and journeying along-side pre-believers. While I was auditing some courses at Singapore Bible College last year, the Alpha Course was mentioned as
one such platform, he said. God was truly gracious not only did he bring along people who encouraged me to find out more, our lay-leadership was incredibly supportive of running an Alpha Course. Steps were taken to introduce the Alpha Course to the church at large by setting aside two Sundays in March earlier this year to run a mock-up Alpha session that anyone could attend. Many of our members who participated had a very positive experience and looked forward with great anticipation to the actual run, said Pastor Boh. We also did a four-Sunday countdown to our Introductory Dinner and each Sunday everyone got increasingly excited when the number of invited (continued inside...)
In this edition:
Resource Update: The Parenting Course Manuals, Leaders Guide & DVDs now on sale!
We had run Alpha six years ago so our church members are familiar with the course. This year, we wanted to be intentional in multiplying and discipling in our small groups, because of our church focus on The Word and Witness. We challenged all our cell groups to grow by running Alpha, said Ng Geok Chye, Alpha Coordinator. The committee kicked things off by sharing that doing Alpha together as a church would be a natural progression for walking our talk and there was the added benefit of engaging in evangelism in small groups rather than on ones own. We also started with a two to three week church-wide prayer for names and collected many names of prebelievers on prayer cards that we created for this purpose. Then we held a one-month pulpit series around evangelism and started our publicity on Alpha. What happened next was very encouraging 30 out of 52 cell groups signed on for training. 120 people were trained to run and lead Alpha in their groups, and many
#2 Put seekers and church members or Christians in different groups, so seekers are not intimidated or overwhelmed by Christian-speak #3 In cases where there are more members then guests in a group, split the group. The whole group can still welcome guests, mingle and eat together and afterwards split up after viewing the video for discussion. #4 Be flexible and be ready to adapt the administration of the courses to facilitate the variety of ways it can be done.
Relationship Central Conference: tools for building strong marriages and families
grandmother put an arm around the dejected boy and said, You were the only one who still had your egg in your spoon! We all need that grandmother in our lives, said Rob Parson, author of The Sixty Minute Marriage and one of the speakers in The Parenting Course DVD. The first purpose of the family, said Sila, is to provide support. The kind the boy found with his grandmother. The second purpose is to provide fun because children thrive on fun. The familys third purpose is to provide a moral compass. A family is where children learn right and wrong behavior, good and bad choices mainly from watching parents. Finally, the family is where children learn to relate, where they first learn to love. A strong society is built on strong families; strong families are built on strong marriages. shared Nicky and Sila Lee (above), co-authors of The Marriage Book and The Parenting Book. The Lees, creators of The Marriage Preparation and The Marriage Course, hosted the inaugural Relationship Central Conference on 9 July at the Bethesda (Bedok-Tampines) Church in Singapore. Attended by more than 150 leaders from 40 churches and family life organizations, the Conference also saw the launch of the much-awaited The Parenting Children Course and The Parenting Teenagers Course While the initial focus of the Lees ministry was on building strong marriages, they saw an equally pressing need for the church to play a role in societys parenthood endeavor. Our vision is to see every church supporting marriage and parenting, said Sila. Nicky told of someone who approached Dr John Medina, a US-based developmental molecular biologist, with the question How do I get my kid into Harvard? Dr Medinas replied, Do you really want to know how to get your kid into Harvard? Go home and love your wife. Underpinning The Marriage Course at Relationship Central are the principles that marriage is critical to the wealth of every society and relationship courses make a difference if they are based on Jesus teaching. A story was told of a boy who came in last in an egg and spoon relay at the school sports day. At the end of the race, his Family is the best training ground for children to learn to relate, said Sila. (A place for) practicing relationships to look out for each other, to share, to apologise. While many of the principles for parenting apply to both young children and teenagers, it is particularly important for parents of teenagers to keep the end in mind. Sila said, We get caught up with messy rooms and all, but the end is about how they turn out, the values they embrace. What is the most important issue on teenagers mind? was a question posed to the Lees during a conference conducted previously. And beneath this question is a more fundamental one: Do you love me? Teenagers, in particular, want to be loved for who they are. And this question will be repeatedly asked in all kinds of challenging ways, Sila told the audience. All children, young and old have this emotional tank. When the tank is full, behavior is good. But when the tank is empty behavior becomes bad, said Sila. It is important that parents can read those empty tank signals and fill them, for both young children and teenagers alike, love is spelled T-I-M-E. Towards the end of the Conference, the Lees took a variety of questions, one of which was about the feasibilty of condensing the entire course into a single weekend.
The Marriage Course made a difference in our marriages. And make a difference The Marriage Course did indeed for Mary and Bobby from St Johns-St Margarets church. When they were invited to the Course, the couple who had been married for 51 years was skeptical. What can they teach me that I dont already know? said Bobby. But it turned out to be quite a revolution. What I thought was good for my wife was not appreciated by her, he shared with the audience. For Mary, there was a huge explosion when they got home the day they attended the course. It felt right to let him know how I felt. A shocked Bobby realized that day how much he had nagged all these years. But as a result of their experience with The Marriage Course they attended, the couple testified that they had learnt to limit the angst within each 24 hours and when we go to bed, we go to bed as lovers.
Today, Calvin and Susan, who has been married for 15 years, are running The Marriage Course at their church. Every time we run it, its like we fall in love all over again. Its been refreshing, said Susan. Nicky said at the opening session of the Conference, Its the conversation that takes place between couples that is the most important part of the course. And that seems to ring true from the testimonies of both couples.
Later on as facilitators were invited to share their experiences, one said that he felt the presence and the living reality of Jesus Christ. Another knelt down, confessed his sins and expressed a willingness to be Jesus disciple. Yet another testified how she saw a vision of many people following her example to be Jesus disciple, leading many people to faith in Jesus. At the close of the training during the commissioning, the church leaders stepped forward to answer questions by the participants. Not only did the leaders express a willingness to organise Alpha sessions among the cell groups, they also agreed to meet the cell group leaders on the following Tuesday to start the ball rolling. One leader boldly stated his vision of seeing one million members coming to know the Lord. What an amazingly encouraging sign! There are many churches in the region that need the help and encouragement we can give through GAT. Are you willing to answer the Macedonian Call for help? We are blessed to be a blessing to others, so why not avail yourself of the opportunity? Do not miss the blessing go on a GAT!
Invitation to go on a Global Alpha Training (GAT) trip many opportunities in the region!
Singapore has been called the Antioch of Asia and we invite you and your team to go on a GAT trip. During a typical GAT, church pastors and leaders are trained to use the Alpha Course. By teaching them how to fish, GAT allows them to organise and run Alpha Courses long after the training is over. And GAT teams also have an opportunity to pray for the participants to be empowered by the Holy Spirit for the evangelisation of their cities. At the moment about 10 teams have been to cities such as Medan, Bali, Jakarta, Ho Chi Min City and Yangon, said Rev Then Chee Min, Regional Training Consultant, Alpha Asia Pacific. We invite all our Alpha churches to consider making a GAT trip next year because the harvest is plentiful but the GAT teams are few. In fact churches in Indonesia and the Philippines have asked for more Singapore GAT teams to visit them. If you feel you want to answer the Macedonian call of the churches in Indonesia and the Philippines to come over and help please send an email to gat@alpha.org.sg, or visit http://gat.alpha.org to find out more.
The Parenting Children Course and The Parenting Teenagers Course Leaders Guides, DVDs and Manuals are now on sale at Alpha Singapore, 179A Thomson Road, Goldhill Centre, Singapore 307626 (9.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday).
The Parenting Teenagers Course The Parenting Teenagers Course Manual $5.50 Leaders Guide $5.50
WHO IS JESUS?
BECOME AN ALPHA FRIEND! An Alpha Friend is one who makes it possible for Alpha Singapore to carry out its life transforming mission through a one-time donation or a monthly donation by credit card. By becoming an Alpha Friend, you will have the joy of knowing that you are making a meaningful difference, and that you are changing peoples lives forever by leaving a legacy of peace, love, joy and purpose for them. Freely you have received, freely give... Matthew 10:8b
Expiry: /
Back row L-R: Philip Oh, Alice Richardson, Rev Jeffrey Tay, Rev Then Chee Min (Alpha Asia Pacific team), Daniel Lee, Theresa Jude, Rev Lam Tien Keong (Alpha Asia Pacific team), Dr Chia Wen Chien (Alpha Asia Pacific team) Front row L-R: Chiam Ai-Ling, Farida Ang, Vinnie Tang, Evangeline Tong, Mary Ng Not in the picture: Laurence Lim, Derrick Chee, Dr Barry Hung and Loh Mei Wai, Andrew Foong
In the last few months, God has been assembling His team to serve you at Alpha Singapore. Let me introduce you to my colleagues: Daniel Lee, National Coordinator Philip Oh, Head of Operations Pastor Jeffrey Tay, Local Church Coordinator Theresa Jude, Youth Alpha Coordinator Laurence Lim, Workplace Coordinator Andrew Foong,Ministry Coordinator Barry & Mei Wai, Relationship Central Coordinator Derrick Chee, Alpha in a Catholic Context Coordinator Mary Ng, Office Manager Chiam Ai-Ling, Communications Farida Ang, Resources
The Singapore team is ably supported by Alpha Asia Pacific trainers and staff. Please do extend your full support to the team and if you have any questions or partnership opportunities drop us an email at info@alpha.org.sg. On a personal note, I will be taking a six month sabbatical from mid-October onwards. This is an important hiatus in my spiritual journey where I trust God will speak to and prepare me for the plans He has in store for me. It has been a great privilege and joy serving with Alpha these past eight years, and I am grateful to the leadership of Alpha Singapore for this opportunity to rest. I appreciate your prayers that I will be sensitive to our Fathers will and that the team will continue to walk in His ways, serving you. Indeed we are confident that with Gods help and your faithful partnerships and prayers, we will continue to see more people discovering a way in the desert, and a stream in the wasteland. All the glory, honour and blessing belong to our God! Blessings, Vinnie Tang Acting National Director
[Newsletter Publisher: Alpha Singapore | Chief Editor: Vinnie Tang | Editor: Chiam Ai-Ling | Printer: Hock Cheong Printing Pte Ltd]