Alpha USA to Hold National Conference, Help Pastors Reverse "Christian Decline" in America

BANNOCKBURN, IL, April 20, 2011 (Press-News.org) More than two million people across America have discovered the Alpha course. This fall, pastors and other ministry leaders will have an opportunity to experience firsthand what some have called the "best kept secret in the church" at the 2011 National Alpha Conference.

Held in Irving, TX, October 13-15, this annual gathering will bring together individuals from throughout the country, seeking to transform their churches and their communities. The theme for this year's conference is "Our Time Is Now!" According to Alpha USA's president, Gerard Long, the theme was chosen because American churches are at a "tipping point" historically.

Studies show that Christianity in America is on the decline, says Long, whom The Washington Post called one of the "stars of the church-saving circuit." A record number of churches are now facing foreclosure, and Christians in the U.S. are less biblically literate, more fearful about sharing their faith and less influential in society than ever before.

"These are huge warning signs that can't be ignored." Long explains. "American pastors are witnessing this decline, and they're looking for tools that will help them to turn things around."

Still, another study offers hope. According to research firm The Barna Group, the No. 1 priority for pastors in 2011 is to see their churches grow in the areas of outreach and evangelism.

"Many pastors have turned to the Alpha course to help their congregations focus on these two areas and are seeing significant increases across the board," Long notes. "Congregations who use the Alpha course in a holistic way are seeing significant growth in the areas of discipleship, leadership ... even giving."

More than 16 million people worldwide have attended an Alpha course. But it's only in recent years that churches have begun adopting it en masse here in the U.S. "I've heard people say that Alpha has been the best kept secret in the American church. But the secret is getting out," Long says.

In fact, the number of churches using Alpha has doubled in the U.S. in the last two years alone. More than 4,300 churches in over 127 denominations—from charismatics to Catholics, and everything in between—are now running Alpha in a variety of settings, including prisons, schools, coffee houses, boardrooms, and living rooms.

The course is held over 10-weeks and is presented in a relaxed, friendly setting featuring good food and easy conversation about the Christian faith. It addresses crucial topics, such as the existence of God, the purpose of life, what happens after death and the teachings of Jesus.

The 2011 Alpha National Conference will feature Nicky Gumbel, bestselling author and senior pastor of London's Holy Trinity Brompton, the church where the Alpha course was born. The conference will provide world-class training in evangelism and all aspects of how to run the Alpha course, including:

-Equipping your church and empowering your congregation for sustainable and adaptable outreach.

-Engaging your community with the Gospel, leading people into an encounter with Jesus and the church.

-Creating paths to discipleship that raises up new leaders and new ministries.

This year, for the first time ever, pre-conference intensives will be offered as an opportunity for more in-depth training, best practices sharing, networking and strategic workshops based upon particular areas of interest or roles, including senior pastors, church planting, and more.

For more information or interviews with Alpha USA president Gerard Long, contact Janine Longoria at press@alphausa.org or 224-588-8526. Visit http://www.alphausa.org to learn more about the 2011 Alpha National Conference and to find out about special early bird rates.