More than 500 Global Alpha Training (GAT) teams travelled around the world in 2010 to train church leaders to run Alpha courses
This is a 70 per cent increase on the previous year.
The GAT project–which involves volunteer members of churches with Alpha experience travelling to train potential Alpha leaders in other locations–is now set to grow exponentially in the next few years.
The teams are provided with training and transcripts to enable them to give the GAT talks with very little preparation. A range of two, three or four-day conference programmes are interactive and include sketches and illustration to assist with explanations. Each GAT gives delegates the opportunity to experience and practice elements of the course.
The average amount of GAT guests last year was 73, resulting in many new Alpha courses around the world.
In January a GAT team from St Michael le Belfrey and Christ the Light Churches in York travelled to Burundi to lead three days of training in the southern city of Makamba.
Rev’d Canon Roger Simpson, Archbishop’s Evangelist to the Northern Province and Rector of St Michael le Belfry, said: “Having just been part of an Alpha GAT team to Burundi I am overwhelmed by the potential of Global Alpha Training to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to the nations and to re-inspire the local mission of UK churches sending GAT teams.”
Team member Christine Bayne said, it was amazing working with the gifted young Alpha Burundi team and watching God at work. The delegates were hungry for all we had to share and already courses are planned to start this month and next in all three areas by those who caught the vision.”
From Alpha News