Trinity United Methodist Church Daily Scripture Email Devotion for Monday, 17 November 2014 "Alpha: Called Me, Is It Calling You?"

Trinity United Methodist Church Daily Scripture Email Devotion for Monday, 17 November 2014 "Alpha:  Called Me, Is It Calling You?"
The first thing Andrew did (after he met Jesus) was to find his brother Simon Peter and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ), and he brought him to Jesus (John 1:41)
I attended an Alpha Conference in the Orlando area at the bidding of Pastor Dan during Spring 1999.  Alpha was NEW to the USA and once there, I realized I had never experienced anything like it.  There were folks teaching us from a London based Anglican Church, amazing hospitality, course principles and practicalities, with a plan and materials approved by all major denominations, an amazing in-filling of the Holy Spirit, and hundreds of guests like me committing themselves to running Alpha in the future.  I had no idea where this commitment would lead but it was the BEST way I had heard of to introduce someone to the Christian faith!
Alpha started at Trinity that Fall and has been running here the 15 years since.  In addition The Marriage Course (also from Alpha) got started and there is hope to start Alpha’s Parenting Courses in the future too.  Only God knows how many people have come to these courses, but it is a few thousand I am sure.  Still, lots of folks ask me Why?  Why have I helped run and advise on Alpha Courses for 15 years of my life? 
Pastor Dan’s Sermon (October 19, 2014) was “Called – To Change the World”.  As the video ended with Jesus asking Peter to join him to become a fisher of men, Dan asked us “How is Trinity Called to Change the World.”  My first thought was, “We’re running Alpha Courses and Alpha Helps Change the World!”
How?  Alpha changes people.  Similar to BC and AD, my life as a Christian has a BA (Before Alpha) and AA (After Alpha) dynamic because Alpha is so life changing—its teaching stories and relevance have never left me.  One of my favorite stories was of a small boy throwing a starfish back into the ocean.  When asked why he bothered when there were so many lying on the beach, he said, “Well, I made a difference for that one”. 
We learned that through Alpha, guests one by one were changed in a way that made a difference for that individual.  And the guests Alpha changes make Gainesville and beyond better -- reminding me of the song “God of the City”.  I have been told that I have been gifted to help with Alpha and it has indeed been the highest privilege and honor to watch and hear of the personal changes in guest’s lives.  And over the long-term, Alpha guests have become Christians or more committed Christians.  They have also given more, helped in other Trinity Ministries, especially Missions, started new Alpha Courses at other Churches, and helped perpetuate Alpha at Trinity, indeed, changing the world.  When the next Alpha course begins, why not join in – you could be the guest God is calling to help change Gainesville and the World!  The Marriage Course starts February 10th, 2015.
Blessings, Sharon McDow 
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