Alpha USA Ministry Report 2011

2 TRANSFORMING Lives, Churches & Communities

“The thousands of places

around the world

running Alpha courses are united by the many stories of people whose lives have been

“I was raised in a Muslim household, and when I couldn’t honestly profess Islam as my faith, my parents kicked me out of the family.

transformed by Jesus Christ. I hear testimony

“At the Alpha course, I learned that Christ came and died for my sins.

I just couldn’t get over the idea - or even come to terms with the idea - that there is a God out there that would love someone like me.

the Alpha course.”

“So, yes, I lost my family, but I gained 100 times more! The church has become my family and my home.”

after testimony of people coming to know Christ on Nicky Gumbel, Senior Pastor Pioneer of the Alpha Course Holy Trinity Brompton, London, England

“I knew that if I professed this truth, there would be no turning back. I would have to let go of my family forever and never have my mom and dad in my life.

Sabrina, Illinois

* About the cover: the featured “word cloud” is representative of the thousands of questions regularly asked at www.alpha.org.

TRANSFORMING Lives, Churches & Communities

3

“JESUS BROUGHT PEACE AND MEANING INTO MY LIFE”

“We’re in the city of Paramount, which is right next to the city of Compton, California, known as the birthplace of the bloods, a street gang and gangster rap. So we have a lot of just really rough folks. The church was looking for some program that would help us reach out to the community.

The Alpha course was really the linchpin for us.

“We will take over 1,500 people into the city of Compton to serve by painting and cleaning. Folks we serve ask, ‘How do I get to know your God?’ We say, ‘Come on out to Alpha!

“People from an urban setting, they love Alpha. Alpha connects! If you are a pastor in an urban setting, you’ve got to run Alpha!”

Bill, California

“When you are a teenager, it’s a lot about peer pressure: wearing the right clothes, saying and doing the right things at the right time. Alpha broke that for my group.

“If I was going to invite my friends, I had to know that what I was going to say was something that was worth losing my friends for because when you stand up there and you say, ‘Jesus died on the cross for you,’ some people will never talk to you again. I asked myself, Is it worth it? Is this what I really believe? Is this what I want to stand up for?

“I think there are a lot of teenagers out there who aren’t being used; they are a waiting army. They are the people with the most time, the most energy and know how to communicate the best with their peers. They are the ones in the high school every day. If they catch a vision, they can transform the world.”

“In middle school, there were certain groups of kids. There were the preps, the nerds, and there were the stoners, my group. It led me to a life of alcoholism, addiction, drug rehab and, ultimately, a couple of years in the state prison.

“Leaving prison, I heard about Alpha. As soon as I walked in, people greeted me, welcomed me, showed me where the coffee was. I told them I was a recovering alcoholic and addict, just released from prison, and I got nothing but acceptance from them!

“Really, I’d need hours to tell all the difference that Christ has made in my life!”

“I never liked being a drug dealer, but I was lost, and I didn’t know how to get away from that lifestyle. I went to Alpha with a friend when I moved to a house next door to a church! We felt really comfortable and welcome.

“I felt so totally unworthy to be accepted by God. I have done some bad things in my life. After Alpha, I started attending church regularly; it’s changing me and softening my heart.

“Jesus brought peace and meaning into my life. I’m just so grateful for the Alpha course. I’m at peace, filled with the Holy Spirit, serving God.”

Anthony, Idaho

James, Florida

Alba, Colorado Listen to these stories and more at www.alphausa.org/morealphastories.

4 Strategy/Principles

Mission

To make disciples of Jesus Christ from all walks of life.

To transform our society, one life, one church and one community at a time.

Vision

18 million people reached in the United States by 2020 with the wonderful news of Jesus Christ using the Alpha course, a contribution of approximately 18 percent to Alpha’s global vision to reach 100 million people by 2020.

Strategy

Our mission and vision will be completed through the local church, and in 2012, we will focus on further increasing the number of churches that run Alpha, the number and types of courses that churches run, and the number of guests who attend an Alpha course.

A sample of core initiatives that will deliver on those objectives includes an increased focus on training and quality, a nationally coordinated approach on Holy Spirit weekends, a continued cultivation and collaboration with strategic ministry partners and churches, and an enhanced recruitment of leaders, teams and volunteers.

Principles

Alpha USA Operates by Seven Kingdom Principles* Prayer | Unity | God’s Provision | Strategic Thinking | Outstanding Stewardship | Ministering Two by Two | Multiplication *Read more about Alpha Kingdom Principles at www.alphausa.org/kingdom.

Executive Director 5

Dear partners and friends, There has never been a more exciting time than now in the ministry of Alpha USA. In 2011, Alpha USA documented* significant growth, as more churches ran fuller and more robust Alpha courses, leading to more transformations for Christ.

I am thrilled to report the encouragement we hear from around the country, including the facts that a church in Iowa rejoiced as 60 of its 80 guests made first-time commitments to Jesus Christ, a North Carolina police department offered the Marriage course to couples in domestic abuse situations, a Youth Alpha course in Illinois originally planned for 70 students but reported attendance of 119 students by week one - impressive when you consider the total church size is about 180 people, and a mortgage-banking executive attended Alpha while in prison, where God turned his life around and introduced him to ministry.

Over and over, we hear about lives, churches and communities coming alive as guests meet the Person of Jesus Christ on an Alpha course. But the impact is even wider than that, as churches document other areas of growth that occur hand in hand with running Alpha courses, notably more guests from outside the church and volunteer leaders ages 18 to 35, an increase in worship attendance and membership, an increase in the congregation members’ ability to articulate their faith, and an increase in giving.

By God’s grace, Alpha is growing across America. This, however, is not without its challenges. As we persevere through one of the toughest financial eras of our time, we remember who sustains us and that prayer, worship and thanksgiving are at the core of everything we do. It is also at this time when we seek to find more who are willing to partner with us, either strategically or financially, as the harvest is plenty, but the workers are few.

We have a vision to reach 18 million people in the United States by 2020, approximately 20 percent of our global vision of 100 million. It is our hope that this report will both bless and encourage you – perhaps even inspire you to come alongside us as we pray and plan for the kingdom of God to break out across America.

Gerard Long Executive Director Alpha USA

A church in Iowa rejoiced as 60 of its 80 guests made first-time commitments to Jesus Christ.

A North Carolina police department offered the Marriage course to couples in domestic abuse situations.

A Youth Alpha course in Illinois originally planned for 70 students but reported attendance of 119 students by week one -- impressive when ...the total church size is about 180 people!

6 What is alpha?

WHAT IS AlpHA?

The Alpha course is a practical introduction to the teachings of Jesus Christ. The 10-week course (one time per week), with a day or weekend away, is presented in a nonjudgmental and relaxed environment, starting with food and conversation, followed by specific teachings and study, and ending with small group discussion.

Alpha is for everyone, welcoming people from all backgrounds, viewpoints and even religions and of all ages. It addresses critical life topics, such as the existence of God, the purpose of life, what happens after death and others.

Churches of every major denomination have run Alpha in a variety of settings — churches, prisons, schools, coffeehouses, boardrooms, cafeterias and living rooms.

Due to its focus on the teaching of Jesus Christ as found in the Bible, churches of all denominations, sizes and demographics run the course with great success. Alpha is uniquely suited to reach people inside their “comfort zone.”

Alpha has been effective due to the makeup of its DNA. Guests are made to feel

welcome and at ease in an environment of food, fellowship, study and conversation, and course hosts and helpers are more like facilitators than teachers or leaders. Guests are known to come to the truth in a Spirit-filled environment, as opposed to being told the truth.

Alpha was founded at Holy Trinity Brompton church in London in the late ‘70s.

Designed as a means of presenting the basics of Christianity, Alpha has been recognized around the world as an effective way to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

“The Alpha course is super laid-back, and it’s fun. You don’t have to do it to impress anyone. You can be yourself and just be very honest ..., and it’s so low pressure it’s ridiculous ... Explore those unanswered questions, and then you can make an informed decision ....”

-- Bear Grylls, Alpha enthusiast and endorser, former host of Discovery Channel’s “Man vs. Wild”

GLOBALLY 1 69 countries 18 million guests 110 languages

usa 50 states 3 million guests 127 denominations

What People Say!

WHAT the press says “Many claim Alpha has changed their lives and appear genuinely happier for the experience.”

“Alpha ... uses modern methods to promote and explain Christian teachings around the world.”

7

WHAT ministry leaders say “A novel approach to Christian education that has been catching on nationwide.”

One of the most effective evangelism tools for the 21st century.

Dr. Rick Warren, Senior Pastor, Saddleback Church

The Alpha course is a new way of announcing the Gospel.

Archbishop Rino Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization

millions of people consider the claims of Jesus Christ in fresh and stimulating ways through Alpha.

Bill Hybels, Senior Pastor, Willow Creek Community Church

The Alpha format is right for our time.

Dr. Tim Keller, Redeemer Presbyterian Church

8 Strategy & Growth Through 2011

Four years of r&d has given Alpha USA a proven strategy that is producing tremendous fruit for God’s Kingdom.

Gerard Long, Executive Director, Alpha USA

WE HAVE BUILT A STRONG AND SOLID CENTRAL SUPPORT TEAM OF WHICH CHURCH/ALPHA STAFF RATIO HAS GROWN

176%.

REGIONS RUNNING ALPHA HAVE INCREASED BY

400%

(FROM 12 TO MORE THAN 60).

2011 Highlights 9

193%

(FROM 41,000 TO MORE THAN 120,000).

175%

Ministry Penetration

SPECIALTY MINISTRIES (SUCH AS CAMPUS, YOUTH) HAVE GROWN AS MUCH AS

300%.

(FROM 2,070 TO MORE THAN 5,700).

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

HAVE DOUBLED.

DONATIONS HAVE GROWN BY 49%.

Infrastructure

CHURCHES RUNNING ALPHA HAVE INCREASED BY

Fruit

NEW DISCIPLES PER YEAR HAVE INCREASED BY

10 TransformING Lives, Churches & Communities

“The people I met there were so kind, friendly and welcoming.”

“My mom passed away, and there was so much to deal with, and I wasn’t dealing very well at all. I knew something was missing in my life, and I didn’t know what it was.

“I went into the Alpha course skeptical. I went originally as the angry agnostic. I was upset because God had ruined my life and treated me wrong. I had done everything right in my life, and it still wasn’t going right.

So what happened?

“I thought that no one was going to prove anything to me. But at Alpha, I opened up when I realized that the people in my small group actually cared about me!

“Unconditional love was new to me.

I finally surrendered to a God who I realized really did love me just for who I am. I didn’t have to buy His love or earn it.”

Peter, Pennsylvania

“I saw the Alpha course advertised on car bumper stickers, so I called to find out about the course. I had not been to church in over 10 years. The people I met there were so kind, friendly and welcoming. They never judged me. I began to face up to my life.

“I came to this epiphany that I wasn’t alone, . . . that God is here! He’s been here all along, and I can have a relationship with Him. “Jesus has made all the difference in my life. It’s really amazing.”

Yessenia, Kansas

“My wife and I heard about the Alpha course while attending the national prayer breakfast in Washington, D.C. I got this sense I was being set up by God! I left D.C. convinced to go for it. Four weeks later, at our first Alpha conference, we trained 700 people!

“We plunged into Alpha with everything we have!

“I think the Alpha Holy Spirit weekend will be revolutionary in the life of our churches as people get a handle on the teaching of the Holy Spirit.”

Bishop C. Milton Grannum, Pennsylvania

New Covenant Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

impact flow chart 11

from sketchpad to reality: CHURCH IS GROWING & IMPACTING COMMUNITY FOR CHRIST

“CHURCHES, LIVES AND COMMUNITIES ARE TRANSFORMED

BY THE GOSPEL.”

“Non-Christians (and Christians) go through the Alpha course and have a life-transforming experience.”

“Now they are fully invested in what God has called them to do, sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.”

ONE PASTOR’S EXPERIENCE Alpha has opened wide the side doors of our church! Bonhomme was 185 years old, and feeling its age, when we felt called to reach out to our increasingly postmodern neighbors. Alpha not only gave us the perfect on-ramp for new people; it transformed our congregation into an inspired community of culturally relevant evangelists who are helping new people come to faith every year!

After a decade of running Alpha, we’ve seen more than 1,000 people go through the course, we’ve helped plant Alpha at several nearby churches, and every week we are seeing several first-time guests in worship. We’re 196, and we’ve never felt younger!

RENEWED HEARTS FOR SURROuNDING COMMUNITY & THE WORD

Don Everts, Minister of Outreach, Bonhomme Presbyterian Church, and awardwinning author of several books, including I Once Was Lost: What Postmodern Skeptics Taught Us About Their Path to Jesus and Go and Do: Becoming a Missional Christian

“People are excited about their relationship with God; their church involvement evolves from Alpha, and they give of their time, talents and finances within the church.”

start alpha

attract new members

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

“These people return to take part in the Alpha team as helpers and table hosts.”

12 Strategy 2012

Our strategy is based on four key pillars:

Our priorities in 2012:

1. Prayer

1. Grow the number of churches, number and types of courses, and guests.

the central and undergirding power of all we do.

2. People

founded on relationships and organized in local and specialty teams.

3. Purpose

equipping every person and team with the tactics to build more and better Alpha courses.

4. Provision

of support from a central team that aims to make the local and specialty teams as efficient and effective as possible in spreading the gospel.

Grow the number of churches running Alpha: • Increase the number of local teams, advisors and volunteers.

• Increase the number of lighthouse churches and pastors.

Grow the number and types of courses per church:

3. Alpha Weekends A key part of the Alpha course is the weekend away to learn about the Holy Spirit --- who He is, what He does, and how He fills Christ followers with God’s love and power to be His witnesses.

More and more churches are joining together for these weekends to experience outstanding worship, teaching and ministry. Leveraging off an existing weekend makes it much easier for more churches and individuals to experience these life-changing events. Our goal is for each region to have two or more churches hosting at least two joint weekends every year.

• Increase the number of trainings offered locally.

4. Partner Churches

• Increase the quality and offerings of resources and training tools.

Alpha USA is not a parachurch organization but exists to serve and support local churches. We are partnering with more and more churches, previously termed Lighthouse churches, that share our vision and passion to spread the gospel across America using Alpha.

• Increase promotion and awareness of specialty ministries.

Grow the number of guests per course: • Invest in a nationwide advertising and publicity campaign.

• Increase the number and effectiveness of preAlpha initiatives [Marriage, Parenting and so on].

2. Prayer and the leading of the Holy Spirit Prayer continues to be the first priority for Alpha USA and includes support from about 1,000 prayer warriors in Uganda, six national prayer calls each week, regional and specialty ministry (including Prison and Campus Alpha) prayer meetings, and participation in 24-7 global prayer initiatives.

We have recently appointed an advocate to encourage and coordinate more prayer across Alpha USA.

5. Training (including Global Alpha Training, or GAT) More and better training results in higher-quality courses; better marketing, including word of mouth; and, ultimately, more people making commitments to Christ. To better serve churches, our strategy is to provide local training through our regional teams, and in 2011, more than 8,000 leaders were trained in 279 local training events across the United States. So far, we are on track to meet or exceed our 2012 goal to train 9,000 more leaders. To help and improve the regional training events, we are developing an online listing of approved speakers. We are also offering remote training opportunities through webinars, conference calls and our new “Preview” series.

Strategy 2012 13

In 2012, we have piloted a new Mobilize Conference in the Twin Cities, Minnesota, and Charleston, S.C., and the excellent feedback will help us as we plan for 2013 and 2014.

More churches

GAT is a key part of our strategy and involves equipping churches to train churches overseas to run Alpha, for example, when they go on a short-term mission trip.

6. Partnerships Recognizing that Alpha is just a part of what God is doing across America, we are always looking for opportunities to better spread the gospel and glorify God with church denominations, church associations and/or ministries. For example: Alpha course materials were featured as a recommended resource at the Assemblies of God National Convention in August 2011, a course on Alpha was taught at Southwestern Seminary in February 2012, and Alpha has been invited to train church planters connected to the Church Multiplication Network (AG church-planting group).

Willow Creek Church had a successful Alpha pilot, has already started a second course and is now considering Youth Alpha. We will be promoting Alpha at the Willow Creek Association Global Leadership Summit, which links to some 65,000 churches.

MORE COURSES IN EACH OF THE CHURCHES alpha [ LATINO ]

alpha [ IN A CATHOLIC CONTEXT ]

alpha [ FOR PRISONS ]

alpha

[ IN THE WORKPLACE ]

MORE GUESTS IN EACH CHURCH AND IN EACH COURSE

7. Regional Advisory Boards Our regional teams promote, support and train local churches in how to grow using the Alpha ministries. On average, there is a threefold increase in churches running Alpha when a regional team is in place. To strengthen and sustain local Alpha activity across America, we are developing a Regional Advisory Board (RAB) for each team consisting of pastors of our partner churches, business/community leaders and a regional director. The RAB provides spiritual, practical and financial support to the work of Alpha in the region.

THEY ALL ADD UP TO MORE TRANSFORMATIONS FOR CHRIST.

14 Alpha USA Staff

Regional Leadership Teams Alpha USA established an elaborate network of Alpha regional teams, Alpha coaches and course volunteers to build ministry support and develop new and stronger courses. Alpha USA has more than 53 regional teams nationwide.

These teams are on the frontline and are scalable and effective units to increase the Alpha impact across the country. Alpha coaches volunteer their time in counseling and training new churches to run the Alpha course with the greatest possible impact.

Sam Stevens, regional director, leads the Regional Leadership Team in Alpha Southern California. The team includes an Advisory Board made up of local pastors and business and community leaders, partner churches, Alpha advisors, prayer partners, course administrators and a host of volunteers.

Together we serve and partner with local churches and organizations to facilitate the growth of more and better Alpha courses.

We are a nonprofit 501(c)(3) and depend fully on local giving to fund the ministry.

what Regional Leadership Teams do: Promoting the Alpha course:

Developing the Alpha ministry:

• TRAINING Provide Alpha training, including Getting Started and Advanced Training, to develop dynamic courses.

• CONSULTING Provide individualized attention to churches, organizations and ministries to position Alpha for maximum effectiveness.

• ALPHA COURSE PROMOTION Introduce churches, organizations, ministries and individuals to the Alpha course.

• NETWORKING Develop a network of churches to provide prayer, encouragement and financial support for the Alpha ministry.

• THE ALPHA INVITATION Mobilize churches and communities to work and pray together to promote Alpha courses through a regionwide media campaign.

• MINISTRY DEVELOPMENT Facilitate the growth of Alpha in contextualized settings, such as Youth, Campus, Prisons, Workplace, Military, Seniors and Alpha in other languages.

• ALPHA REGIONAL WEEKEND Organize regional Alpha weekends for churches running the course to join together.

• FAMILY LIFE Equip churches with tools to build and restore relationships through the Marriage Course, Marriage Preparation Course and Parenting Course.

• PRINT RESOURCES Provide churches and ministries with print materials needed to promote, run and augment Alpha courses.

• PRAYER Pray for the churches and Alpha courses in our region, and organize regional prayer initiatives.

Central Support Office “It is a great privilege to come home each evening and share with my family all that the Lord is doing through the ministry of Alpha. My part is small, but important in the overall mission of the ministry. I know each of my day-to-day tasks helps advance the message of Jesus, and there is no better feeling than knowing I am doing what God has called me to do.”

From left, Alpha USA CST members Ruthina Northcutt, Andrey Tsupruk and Eleanor Cercavschi

Andrey Tsupruk, Workplace & Publishing Coordinator, Alpha USA

The Alpha USA Central Support Team (CST) works to support the local and specialty teams as efficiently and effectively as possible in spreading the gospel. The CST consists of gifted and highly motivated individuals providing marketing, finance, HR, IT and data management, publishing and fund developing, and overall unifying purpose and leadership.

Alpha USA staff 15

SPECIALTY ALPHA MINISTRIES Who Runs Alpha Courses?

Churches of every major denomination are running Alpha courses. Alpha courses are run in every imaginable setting, including church classrooms, prisons, schools, coffeehouses, executive boardrooms, cafeterias and living rooms. Alpha is uniquely suited to reach people where they feel most comfortable.

alpha [ IN THE WORKPLACE ]

The Alpha course tailored to fit effectively in a one-hour lunch break.

Together coworkers explore the Christian faith in a relaxed, nonthreatening atmosphere. This ministry grew 217 percent in 2011.

Excellent companion courses to the Alpha course providing practical, relevant support in all areas of family life and relationships. theparentingchildrencourse themarriagecourse themarriagepreparationcourse theparentingteenagerscourse

alpha [ IN PRISONS ]

Alpha in a criminal justice setting gives inmates permission to actively participate and discuss issues, questions and concerns as they explore Christianity. This ministry saw 7 percent growth in 2011.

alpha [ FOR SENIORS ]

Providing spiritual care for seniors and creating a new awareness of the spiritual needs of the elderly.

alpha [ MULTICULTURAL ]

Multicultural Alpha courses presented in Arabic, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish, all designed to meet the mosaic of ethnic groups in the United States.

alpha [ ESOL ]

Alpha in English for speakers of other languages is a series of short, live talks presented in English and designed for people who are new to Christian concepts.

Introduces young people (ages 11 to18) to Jesus Christ. Run by teens for teens, it is richly contextualized for groups using live talks, video clips, stories and object lessons.

This ministry realized 41 percent growth in 2011.

Condenses the classic Alpha course into seven weeks and is spiced with multimedia ingredients.

This ministry grew 50 percent in 2011.

alpha [ IN A CATHOLIC CONTEXT ]

The Alpha course presented in a Catholic setting is used by parishes to inspire Catholic renewal and answer the call to the New Evangelization. This ministry grew 74 percent in 2011.

alpha [ FOR LATINOS ] The Alpha course presented in Spanish. This ministry saw 220 percent growth in 2011.

Gerard Long, Executive Director Gerard’s passion is to know Jesus Christ, to see Him glorified and to introduce as many people to Him as possible. Born in the United Kingdom and now living in the United States, Gerard started running Alpha in his home in 1995. He was a pastor for 17 years while also an executive at one of the world’s largest banks, HSBC. Gerard left a successful 30-year career with HSBC, as senior vice president, to lead Alpha USA .

Jim Charlton, Director of Course Development Jim led Alpha for a church staff, then helped start and lead Alpha in Chicago. Jim had a 20-year law career with a Chicago-area law firm. His BA is from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and his JD from DePaul University.

Mike McCandless, Director of Development Mike’s journey took him and his family from a 20-year marketing, publishing and consulting career in Silicon Valley to executive positions at Campus Crusade for Christ and Prison Fellowship Ministries. Mike holds a BA in political science from Knox College in Galesburg, Ill. and graduate certificates from Stanford University’s Executive Institute and Professional Publishing program.

Mike Singh, Director of Marketing & Publishing Mike and his wife came to faith on an Alpha course. Mike spent 15 years in entrepreneurial ventures and the banking industry, most recently with HSBC. He earned a BA/BS from DePaul University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management.

Susan Woller, Director of Church Fulfillment, IT & Operations God brought Susan to Alpha, and the experience changed her life. Susan’s 19-year career prior to Alpha was providing IT business solutions to Fortune 500 companies.

Tory Baucum, Rector, Truro Church | Pam Bock, Alpha USA, Trainer | Mark Emery, President of U.S. Operations, The Jordan Group | Nicky Gumbel, Vicar, Holy Trinity Brompton | Gerard Long, Executive Director, Alpha USA | John Mackay, Principal, Strand Corp. | John McNairy, President, Harvey Enterprises | Tricia Neil, Executive Director, Alpha International | Timothy Robertson, Chairman, Bay Shore Enterprises, LLC | David Segel, Founder & CEO, Mako Group | David Thomas, United Methodist Church | Glen Youngkin, Managing Director, The Carlyle Group

16 METRIC

Alpha Weekends (teaching/ experiencing the Holy Spirit)

70

50

42 21

21

10

2

3

30

20

0

0

Alpha Invitations

Global Alpha Training

20

2008

2009

2012 --- Forecast

2010

2011

10

27%

2.7

51%

0

Number of commitments & recommitments

60

45%

12%

50 40

30

20

17%

71

111 349

1,100

880

829

40

5

54

30

57

72

40

20

Guests on courses

50

30

30

10

0

40

60

15

Local events (for example, Taste of Alpha and Getting Started)

9%

40

5

0

Alpha Advisors (as of May)

50

20

10

50

80

10

150

Leaders under 35

60

40%

25

100

0

0

0

Courses run per year per church

30

200

50

5

0

Guests outside church 18-35

30 20

57%

200

763

33

400

10

10

35

250

600

41

20

1.0

59%

47%

300

600

15

30.6

1,000 800

30

20

1.5

0.0

279

40

350

25

2.0

Lighthouse churches

1,200

42%

0.5

236

50

0

Regional Leadership Team/ Regional Advisory Boards

89

59

0

Active Alpha churches (as of May)

209

0

20

100

10

40

11

20

60

25

41

30

51

74

80

19

4,355

3,685

1000

2,550

3,000

7,034

40

5,627

50

4,000

2,000

2.5

60

5,000

30

3.0

100

45%

6,000

120

1.9

70

21.9

80

7,000

31%

8,000

Alpha Course Quality Indicators*

51%

Alpha USA Key Metric 2008 – 2011 & 2012F

10 0

Held an Alpha Weekend away included the three talks on the Holy Spirit

FINANCIALS 17

2011 Income vs. expense Review 35

80

Publishing

38%

Giving

20

30%

90%

82%

25

15 10

20

79.28%

Misc. Conference and Product Development Income

Adult baptisms

Giving Breakdown: 4.4 M

80

38%

70

40

60

52%

50 40 30 20

10

6.68%

4.77%

Individual 76%

33%

20

46%

30

88.55%

Foundation Churches

10 0

0

Helps increase attendance in worship services

Increased openness to Person and work of Holy Spirit

Expenses 5.4 M

80 70

88%

50

71%

40

38%

30 20

12.54%

0

Our Alpha Day/Weekend included opportunites to receive personal prayer for healing

60

8.18%

5

0

50

27%

30

60 40

Income: 5.58 M

40

10%

50%

100

10 0

Ability to articulate faith

Program Development & Support

2010

2011

*based on a survey of more than 600 churches running the Alpha course

Administration Fund-Raising

9.17% 1.91%

88.95%

18 Alpha by the Numbers

Effective

Efficient

Expanding

6,194

71

Alpha USA Regional Leadership Teams

Impact of $10,000 invested in Alpha:

240,000

30,000+

100+ New commitments to Christ (under $100/conversion)

120,000*

$45,000,000

262 Family members also impacted (spouse and 1.62 children)

Churches currently running Alpha courses

Guests on Alpha courses in 2011

Commitments to Christ in 2011

Alpha volunteers

Value of volunteer labor

$67,000 Contributed to the work of the local church

*Estimate based on Barna Research that 50% of course participants make a commitment or recommitment to Christ.

Participate 19

Financial Partners’ Comments

“Because we are called to be the best stewards we can be with the money God has given us, we look to see where God is moving in order to find the best return on our investment for the kingdom of God. Clearly God is blessing Alpha USA. “Lives are touched and transformed in the thousands every day by the Holy Spirit. That’s a wonderful return on our investment.”

“The number of people who have gone on an Alpha course and become Christ followers is staggering, myself included. I think Alpha has the right approach --- it partners with and relies on the local church. That’s an efficient way to get the word out about our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Ultimately it’s all for God; it’s His money. I give to Alpha because I know that there is a strong return on my investment. I want others to have the Alpha experience I had; I’m so humbled and grateful.”

Jenny Emery Donor, board member and Alpha volunteer

Ike Hong Donor, Alpha volunteer and former guest

Alpha USA depends on gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations to touch the lives of thousands of individuals each year. Alpha USA is a tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) charitable organization; therefore, donations are taxdeductible consistent with IRC Section 170.

To invest in and expand the work of God through Alpha, make checks payable to Alpha

“It has only been recently that our family has learned how to give. We were very good at giving of our time and service, but we were still learning how to give with our resources. Recently, we began giving financially to Alpha USA, and it has been the best investment! Of all the many things we spend money on every month, the one that brings us the most joy is giving to Alpha. We know that this gift, however big or small, is going toward something we love, which is sharing the Good News of Jesus with others. Knowing that Christ is transforming lives, families, communities and even whole countries through a tool like Alpha is amazing. Now when we give, we are just so thankful that God allows us to play a part in His great work.”

Anonymous

USA, and send to: Development at Alpha USA, 2275 Half Day Rd., Suite 185, Bannockburn, IL 60015.

aUdiTor’s STATEMENT

Give online through www.alphausa.org, and look for“Donate” at the top. For wiring or stock transfer instructions, call (224) 588-8538. For including Alpha in your will or estate planning, call (224) 588-8538.

www.alphausa.org/audit

“In our opinion, the financial statements referred to present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Alpha USA as of December 21, 2010 and 2011, and the changes in its net assets and its cash flows for the years then ended are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the USA” *Current year audit in process.

ALPHAUSA 2275 Half Day Road Suite 185 Bannockburn, IL 60015

THE ALPHA COURSE

alphausa.org 1.800.DO ALPHA