17 Looking Ahead: 2013
Looking Ahead: 2013 • 3 million people invited to an Alpha course by the end of 2013.
As a church body, Christ calls us to love others and build relationships, especially with those outside the church. Mark 16:15 says,”Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (NIV). It is a part of discipleship practice.
• 12 million people attend the Alpha course by 2016.
How?
• 100 million people hear the gospel on Alpha by 2020.
We must be intentional about building relationships with those around us at work, in our neighborhood, at school or at sporting events. The Lord calls us to be disciples. Part of discipleship is living our lives witnessing to those around us. Yet it is important to build friendships that allow for opportunities to share about Jesus Christ.
What is THE BIG VISION? We want to see:
Why? According to Barna research, in 2012, only 4 percent of unchurched adults were invited to church by a friend and actually went, 23 percent were invited but declined, and 73 percent were never invited at all. * Our desire is that everyone is given an opportunity to hear about a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, Barna research illustrates that Christ followers are not sharing this opportunity with others.
When the time is right, invite those whom God has placed around you to an Alpha introductory dinner. If we are living boldly every day and establishing natural friendships, over time we will be able to have genuine conversations and therefore extend genuine invitations.
What can YOU do? One for One: We challenge you to invite ONE person to ONE night of Alpha. You can do it!
Other ways to get involved: Pray for God’s kingdom to come. Give to the ongoing mission of Alpha. Serve in a variety of ways by volunteering and supporting Alpha in your church or community. To find out more about ways to get involved, go to alphausa.org/getinvolved
What happens next is up to YOU. Be a part of it. Start a conversation. Invite a generation to explore life. * ”What Every Church Needs to Know for Effective Evangelism” interview