ALPHA NEWS

September - December 2012 The Alpha Singapore Newsletter

MICA (P) 140/01/2012

CHANGED HEARTS How Alpha for Prisons

The reasons for Alpha for Prisons are simple: love and a desire to see the transformation of lives. In the Bible, Peter, in 1 Peter 4:8, instructs that above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover over a multitude of sins. It is not our love that takes away the sin of others, but through our love that people might come to realise the love that came down and hung on a cross for them. The joy of being a witness in Gods plan to transform the lives of the ex-offenders gives me strength and courage to continue serving in this ministry, said Andrew Foong, Alpha for Prisons Coordinator. Alpha for Prisons is in its 11 year in Singapore, and is being run in halfway houses, where exoffenders have come to know Jesus.
th

has touched both the givers and the receivers

Keep on loving each other as brothers...Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering - Hebrews 13:1-3

Volunteers & guests at HighPoint Halfway House

expanded their prison ministry by partnering with Alpha, but anyone who has a heart for these ex-offenders and are prepared to walk alongside them, is welcome to volunteer. While Alpha opens up and allows church ministries to be established, this is only the beginning of more to be done and not the end of outreach efforts. The involvement of the local church is particularly valued and urged, for it provides a long-term strategy of follow-up care such as family care and welcoming of ex-offenders into the church congregation where they can continue to grow in their faith. Volunteers are needed in a variety of roles: to facilitate small group discussions, to give live talks, to befriend and listen, to provide pastoral care, to pray for ex-offenders or even to follow up by mentoring and helping them integrate into church after they leave the halfway house. Evon Koh of Riverlife Church is one such example of a volunteer, and she shares with us two salvations that she has witnessed, as well as how God has touched her heart through Alpha for Prisons.

Henry, an ex-offender said, the Alpha Course gave me both knowledge and experience of God. Knowing God changed my life, and I have been set free from my addictions. I am thankful that God is slowly revealing His purpose for my life beyond my past, and it gives me hope. Various churches have begun to establish or

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In this edition:

Find out about Student Alpha!

Work, Intern or Volunteer at Alpha!

Upcoming Event: Alpha Impact Conference 26 - 27 April 2013

THE EVANGELISATION OF OUR NATION...

10 July 2012:

I visited Break through Missi on its Alpha cou rse. He had sh s Halfway House to suppor t my cell mem ared several for myself. times about h ber Teck Heo is ministry w ng who is hel ith Alpha for ping to run Prisons and During the vi I wanted to se deo Why did e it Jesus die?, debt of sin, an Nicky Gumbe d the resurrec l explained th tion as power at Jesus dyin over sin and g on the cros As I listened Satan and free s fully paid th to the talk, I dom from ad e thought to m dictions. silent prayer yself how mea asking God to ningful these speak to them me if You are words were to . I also asked, willing, I will the ex-offende if today God come back an rs. I said a , you were to d serve in this show me one During group run of the Alp salvation, use discussion ti ha Course. me, I though witnessing an t to myself, O y salvation, an k God, it look d I will not be s like all are coming back believers, ton After discuss to Breakthro ight I will not ugh Missions ion, I found ou be . t that one of the participan ts, Bernard*, Wow, I thou was not yet a ght, God, hav believer. e you left the gospel? I ap last person in proached Ber the group wh nard. In resp faith as smal o is a pre-be onse to him te l as a mustar liever for me lling me he h d seed to put be opened to to share the ad many ques his trust in Je hear God and tions, I told h sus tonight, th the scales wou im that if he e Bible said th ld fall off from had at his ears an I told him that his eyes. d heart would I might not co me back to B meeting, aske reakthrough, d for 10 minu and on accou tes to share th said yes to re nt of the poss e Gospel. Ber ceiving Jesus ibility of this nard listened and Pastor C being our on intently. At th hee Cheong ly e point of com led him in the Praise God fo mitment, he salvation pray r this salvatio er. n that is also Missions. the confirmat ion for His de sire for me to serve at Break through

Evon writes...

17 July 2012: showed me how He uses those who are willing for It is my second week at Breakthrough Missions and once again, God His glory as I witnessed another salvation. how the Lord Jesus holds our hands as we walk the Brother Bak led a heartening worship with two Hokkien songs about * who came to Christ at this session of Alpha. path of life. This would later be part of my encouragement to James Missions and that he was trying to read the During discussion, James had shared that he was new to Breakthrough r challenge was that he found it hard to read and bible but felt too tired from getting up at 6am daily to do so. Anothe by telling him that as long as he had a desire to learn understand the bible. Esther, my fellow helper, encouraged James Gods word, he could pray for the Holy Spirit to teach him. a declaration of Gods existence and of the belief Group leader, Dr David Tay also shared on the meaning of YAHWEH, that God saves us from our sins. to invite Jesus into their life to stay behind for prayer. After discussion, David, our group leader, asked those who wished standing near me, so I made conversation with him While I was packing my scarf, I noticed James still in the room and he had been attending chapel during his prison term, and asked if he had accepted Jesus into his life. He answered that which God. and believed that his life was saved by God only he did not know the Gospel. After sharing the Gospel in Hokkien, After listening to James, I decided to ask him for permission to share songs and of Davids sharing about YAHWEH and which was his preferred language, I reminded him of the worship knocking on a single-sided door that could only be finally of the weeks video that showed the famous painting of Jesus opened from the inside. n prayer. James pondered seriously and said yes, and David led him in the salvatio Such a joyous sight to see another soul come into the kingdom and Him. light of God! Praise God for yet another life turned to
*All names have been changed to protect identity

Thinking of volunteering?
We talk with Desiree Tan, who has been an Alpha volunteer for the past year. For Desiree, volunteering is kingdom work. Q: Why Alpha? A: The thing about Alpha
is the flexibility of time, especially for people with other commitments. Opportunities to serve in church are normally for weekends and nights, but with Alpha, the team is so pleasant to work with so it is easy to work out a schedule.

THE EVANGELISATION OF OUR NATION...

A:

Before I started facilitating at Youth Alpha@PLMGS (Paya Lebar Methodist Girls School), I was helping out in administrative support. Some people might be put off by admin work, but I persevere through it because it is part and parcel of any of His kingdom organisations. I help wherever there is a need, even if it is helping to clear the office. I just love to help when I see that they dont have the time and I will step in where I can. I even offer to help do powerpoint slides! At Youth Alpha@PLMGS, I love sharing with my secondary 1 and secondary 4 girls. Being able to do ministry work with Youth Alpha is really a blessing, because I love sharing about God in a small group, I love trying to win them to Christ.

In future, I hope that my volunteer efforts will move towards ministry opportunities. Facilitating at Youth Alpha has also cultivated my passion to help people discover God.

Q: How much effort is required

from you?

A: My priorities in life are really

my family and Gods kingdom. Its not easy but I really want to do it so I make arrangements around what I need to do. I give the most of what time I have.

Q: What is volunteering to you? A: I see volunteering as a Godgiven privilege, and its not something just to pass time. It is a huge blessing to give and be able to support an organisation for His kingdom. People frequently ask whether boredom as a stay-home mum has led me to volunteer, but this is not the reason I volunteer. Volunteering really is about looking for where God places, what He calls you do, and answering the call. My volunteering is not about any specific role or function, but contributing in any way I can to help the organisation.

A verse that has kept me going is Let us not become weary in doing good, for at a proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers Galatians 6:9-10

Q: What would you say

Q: How has your experience as

a volunteer been?

to someone considering volunteering at Alpha?

A: Its a great place with great

A: I see this whole thing as

Q: Share with us what you do at

Alpha

contributing to Gods kingdom. Its not about doing great or recognised work; just answering the call wherever needs help.

people, where you can work out when you can and where you can help. Its so flexible, and its about using your god-given talents, so just go for it!

We are looking for people to join the Alpha team in several areas: Director of Funds Development Executive Secretary to Chairman, Asia Pacific Local Church Coordinator Interns and volunteers
Head to www.alpha.org.sg to find out more!

THE EVANGELISATION OF OUR NATION...

CHR101:Jesus
Can Jesus be known on campus? How?
Unlike Youth Alpha, Student Alpha is meant for university students. At university level, where many concepts and theories are being tossed about, where young adults questioning and coming to terms with their identity and even the purpose of their lives, that is where Student Alpha comes in. With content slightly shortened from the classic Alpha Course, Student Alpha adheres to a university semester and runs for 8 weeks instead of 10. The video talks are 25 minutes long and more multimedia elements are used. Theresa Jude, Youth Alpha and Student Alpha Coordinator, explains the need for this ministry: Students are the best people to reach students, because they speak the same language and share similar concerns. For the guests, its much less intimidating to hear about the gospel in an environment that theyre familiar with. It really helps to be where people are, rather than ask them to come to us.

A leaders testimony: Sherwin Lee

One evening in September 2010, my friend shared how a Christian apologetics discussion event he had organised in his University was warmly received. This inspired me to organize an evangelistic event in Singapore Management University too. Immediately, organizing Alpha Course came to mind as it served as a wonderful avenue for non-Christians to ask questions about Christianity in a non-threatening and friendly atmosphere. Much was needed to organise the Alpha Course: a dedicated core team to execute the event, facilitators and befrienders, logistics, financial support, and participants. In addition, when I first shared this idea, my friends were not too keen due to the longterm commitment required. Nonetheless, the burden to share the Gospel with the lost never wavered, and I committed this idea to the Lord. For a full year, nothing happened, but God grew me in my character to prepare me to lead the Alpha Course. In August 2011, God opened the doors for Alpha to be started.

SMU Alpha Core Team Top Row (L to R): Joshua, Lingyan, Shawna, Victoria Bottom Row: Sherwin, Jacquelyn, Cephia, Tai Yong

Miraculously, all my friends were suddenly now keen on the idea, and most of them joined me in pioneering SMU Alpha. God provided abundantly by bringing the core team together, the facilitators, and even provided for all the financial support and a huge number of participants from all walks of life. What was even more amazing was how fast the news spread and how Christians whom I never even knew volunteered their service! Even non-Christians were curious, and more than 70 people turned up for the introductory dinner. In fact, the cafe which we booked was
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...AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF OUR SOCIETY

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filled to the brim and there were not enough seats! God had given me a vision of a classroom full of joyful participants enjoying their discussion about Christianity and sharing about life. Seeing this vision fulfilled and coming to fruition brought great joy in me. On the final session of Alpha, I heard the testimonies of non-Christians, who shared how blessed they were throughout the course, and how they mentioned that they would try to attend church more often and hoped to be a Christian one day; it really moved me a lot. John 15:16 came to mind: You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit fruit that will last and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. Truly, I am confident that the seeds planted in their lives will grow one day! I have learned that when God places a burden

and deep passion in your heart, it will never go away. The idea may not come to fruition now, but in due time, it will blossom. All we have to do as servants of Jesus is to follow Him daily, and faithfully carry out the tasks that He has laid before us each day. Just like me, God used one year to mould and grow me. God, in His perfect timing, will provide for your needs, abundantly. Truly, His providence for all the planning is a testimony to His Grace and unending Power. So I encourage everyone, dont give up on whatever passions that God has placed in you. Bring them to Him, and let Him fulfill them in His timing. His plans are the best. And above all, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight - Proverbs 3:5-6.

Participants Testimony: Phillip Pang

I signed up for SMU Alpha when I saw the school emailer during the December 2011 school break, as I was keen to find out more about Christianity and the Christian community in SMU. I didnt know anyone in the Alpha Course, but I decided to turn up for the introductory session to observe how the session would be conducted. I expected it to be a plain event and the ambience to be quite serious while discussing questions about Christ. However, it was nothing like what I had expected, for the people were passionate and welcoming and the message by Nicky Gumbel was interesting yet enriching. The sessions were conducted in a casual and relaxed environment that allowed me to ask questions and doubts with ease. I really appreciate the openness and patience shown by my facilitator while answering or clarifying my doubts. The Alpha weekend retreat was a really unforgettable experience for me and I enjoyed the companionship of fellow Alpha members as well as the fun activities. Attending Alpha was eye-opening, as I saw how God works through His believers and touch non-Christians like me. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to join Alpha and most importantly the organisers, helpers and facilitators for making this learning journey a fruitful one for me.

Thinking of running Student Alpha? Email student@alpha.org.sg

...AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF OUR SOCIETY

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2010,

, ... 7860 !

...AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF OUR SOCIETY

Upcoming Training Events:

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

IS THERE MORE TO LIFE THAN THIS?

In gratitude to God for His blessings, I would like to support Alpha Singapore: One-time Donation: $ _____________________________________ Monthly Donation: $10 p/m $30 p/m ($1/day) $60 p/m ($2/day) $100 p/m Other amount: $ _______ p/m

HOW CAN WE HAVE FAITH?

WHY DID JESUS DIE?

WHY & HOW IDO I THE BIBLE? PRAY? WHY & HOW SHOULD READ
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HOW DOES GOD GUIDE US? WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?

PARTICULARS Name: ______________________________________________ Address: ____________________________________________ Name on card: _______________________________________ Email: ______________________________________________ Signature: ___________________________________________ Handphone: _________________________________________ Date: _______________________________________________ Place of worship: _____________________________________ Handphone: __________________________________________ Please mail to: Alpha Singapore, Blk 8D Dempsey Road #03-02 Singapore 249672

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The Alpha Course - an opportunity to explore the meaning of life

Greetings in the Name of our Lord! Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. Psalm 84:5-7 Year after year, the Lord has proved His faithfulness to take us from strength to strength, providence to providence and from numbers to greater numbers. For that we are full of thanks! It has been a real encouragement to see Alpha being run in more venues this year, especially in the reformed churches and in Halfway Houses. Indeed He is our strength and refreshment. We have also had the opportunity in Paya Lebar Methodist Girls School to hold Youth Alpha for the girls who want to explore more about Christianity. For the past seven weeks, whilst the rest of the school has chapel, 40 girls have been gathering to hear more about the Gospel and ask their questions. We see this as an awakening to relational evangelism, and we continue to pray that God will lead more people to start or continue running Alpha, and of course people to attend an Alpha Course. Let us, who have set our hearts on bringing people to Jesus, never stop working until we appear before God. Alpha in Chinese Context To meet the response for equipping and building up teams to run Alpha in a Chinese Context, we have decided to add this to our training calendar. Like its English counterpart, Alpha in Chinese will have its Equip and Refresh Day (ERD) and Team Training events. This is in line with our mission to enable people regardless of their age, background or circumstance to be able to understand and benefit from the Alpha Course. In the long term, we aim to equip teams to run Alpha Courses in the local dialects as well. Alpha for Prisons God has allowed the right people to open doors into the Halfway Houses, and it is so exciting to have the opportunity to partner God in his plans for this ministry. He has also raised up enthusiastic and passionate volunteers. Volunteers and participants have experienced life-touching incidents. We hope that Alpha for Prisons will be the open door to more local church involvement for these marginalised people. Looking Forward Let us never be content with what we have, but let us keep eagerly desiring the expansion of His kingdom, and beyond the lives we have already touched or what we have already accomplished. To encourage each other on this journey we will run an Alpha Impact Conference in April, with the theme of going beyond the church boundaries and reaching communities for Christ. We invite you to prayerfully consider attending this conference with your Alpha team both current and new team members are welcome! God Bless, Daniel & The Alpha Singapore Team

Alpha Impact Conference

26-27 April 2013 Going beyond the church boundaries
[Newsletter Publisher: Alpha Singapore | Chief Editor: Philip Oh | Editor: Chiam Ai-Ling | Printer: Hock Cheong Printing Pte Ltd]