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 Growing up in Frankfort, Germany, Nino Dreger had little or no Christian influence in his life. “I went to church maybe 5 times, so there wasn’t a lot of background information,” he says. But after taking the Alpha course, Nino is developing a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Nino is currently a student at Metropolitan State University majoring in International Business. At the invitation of his girlfriend, last summer he began attending Woodland Hills where they heard about the Alpha course. They decided to check it out.
Alpha is a ten-week opportunity to explore the validity and relevance of the Christian faith for our lives today. It is a practical introduction to the basics of Christianity with loads of opportunity for debate and discussion. The Alpha small group interaction provides an opportunity to address any and all questions about Christianity in an informal, friendly and non-pressured environment.
Nino enjoyed the teaching of Nicky Gumbel in the course: “I liked that Nicky started out giving a scientific background and proved that Jesus really existed.”
Nino also found the small group to be a valuable part of his research in the Christian faith. “Hearing other people’s perspectives on things really helped me see Christianity in a totally new light,” he said.
Midway through the course, Nino received Christ into his life. He views it as just “a natural reaction” to his new-found perspectives on the Christian faith.
His small-group leader, Bill Arvold, remembers the time Nino told the group he had accepted Christ that week. “Since I tend toward the skeptical, I was concerned that he might just be telling me what I wanted to hear. However, my doubts were erased as I listened to Nino pray out loud for the first time. I was stunned! There was no doubt in my mind that he was praying in the power of the Holy Spirit.”
For an Alpha volunteer, it brings great joy to see God working to change people’s lives. “What a wonderful blessing and privilege to be a witness to this transformation,” said Bill.
Stories like Nino’s are not uncommon in Alpha: God has been using it to change lives all around the world. Over 6 million people in 139 countries have taken the Alpha Course in 45 different languages.
Alpha is an ideal setting for
• Those wanting to investigate Christianity.
• Those who feel that they have never really got going as a Christian.
If this describes you, we invite you to try the Alpha course. Or if you have a friend who isn’t sure what Christianity is really all about, invite them to come to the course with you. As it did for Nino, Alpha might help you “see Christianity in a totally new light.”
Click here to learn more about Alpha at Woodland Hills.
article by Jim Knudson
email him about it at jimcharknudsen@comcast.net
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