10 & 11 October 2026 (Pastoral Page) THANKSGIVING FOR THE ALPHA COURSE

by Ms Lilian Poon

We just concluded this season of Alpha Course that comprises 11 sessions over 2 months from 4 August to 6 October. We thank God for the average weekly turn out of between 30-35 guests from both the English and Chinese ministries and 40 over volunteers who served tirelessly together in different areas. The profiles of our guests include pre-believers and young Christians who attended Alpha with one common goal – to explore God, faith and life. At the end of the course, 10 guests said the sinners’ prayer, young faith was established and precious seeds were planted. Praise be to God!

Last week Ps Lim Wei-en reminded us of the correlation between sharing our testimonies and praise. As I reflected back on this season of Alpha Course, there is so much to praise the Lord! Firstly, we praise God for answering our corporate prayers. Even before starting the process of planning, God impressed upon us that our outreach efforts must be anchored and bathed in prayer. We thank God that a small team of worshippers responded to the clarion call to serve as intercessors. We met every month to pray over every aspect of Alpha and all the registered guests before they ever stepped foot in the premise on 4 August. We prayed during the Alpha Prayer & Dedication Service on 26 July with more than 20 volunteers. We prayed and dedicated Alpha every Tuesday at 6:30 pm like clockwork. What a joy it is to have 40 over guests turned up on 4 August for the first Alpha session with seamless logistics and wonderful atmosphere of unity that continued throughout the Alpha season.

Secondly, we thank God for our Alpha core team comprising Asst Ps Anthony Chok, Lim Gaik Poh, Henry Toi, Tay Liam Kai, Mable Chan and Deacon Yvonne Chong. The team and I decided to have a longer runway of planning for Alpha, starting as early as March. We met every month to brainstorm, plan and pray. Even with other commitments, they dedicated their time and passion as a precious offering to the Lord to this outreach effort. We thank God for the fruit of their labour that is evident in the Alpha Course this year.

Thirdly, we praise God for all our worshippers who served in different areas. The Alpha Course seeks to connect over three important operational pillars: Food, talk and small group discussions. From registration to setting up of the rooms, from curating dinner and supper menus to setting up the Chapel for the video sessions, many hands have helped to make the work light and seamless. The Alpha experience begins from the moment our guests walk into The Bible Church on Tuesdays. They were greeted by Steven Tan at the entrance followed by the smiling faces of the registration team anchored by Anne Tan and Gaik Poh. The highlight of Alpha Course was built over the food and conversations during dinner and supper when everyone chill and relax. Our guests were blessed by the food served with dinners anchored by Cecilia Lim and supper by Mani James. The quiet heroes of Patricia Yan and her team, who set up the rooms for small groups discussions and served our guests during dinner, week after week. Then we have our audio and visual teams anchored by Dexter Chiang working with our team of emcees led by Henry Toi. Without them, we will not be able to enjoy the fun ice breakers, edifying worship and enlightening Alpha videos. Our volunteers never cease to amaze me with their consistency and dedication, nothing is ever too menial for them.

A special shout out to all our small group facilitators - led by Mable Chan, Deacon Yvonne Chong, Stanley Teo, Cheng Wai Meng, Tay Liam Kai, Lunar Lim and Ruby Lee - who relied on the Holy Spirit to facilitate the small group discussions week after week. Last but not least, we must not forget our Chinese Ministry partners led by Asst Ps Anthony Chok who hosted our Chinese guests with their dedicated teams of facilitators and befrienders. And to many unsung heroes behind the scenes whose names were not mentioned here but served with us for 11 sessions. You are not forgotten because the Lord saw the cup of cold water that you offered to Him when you serve with your talents. 

As we wrap up this season of Alpha, we give glory to our Almighty God who showed up with His presence, power and perfect love. We heard wonderful praise reports from two of our Alpha gradates during the recent Alpha Celebration on 6 October on how God touched touch and transform their lives. Many lives were similarly transformed and will never be the same again.

While you rejoice with the fruit of the labour, we would like to invite you to collaborate with Alpha in two ways:

1.    Join us to PRAY for the assimilation of our Alpha converts through the follow-up platform of CARE Groups (CG) anchored by Ps Lai Keet Keong, together with his team of CG Overseers and CG leaders. Please pray that our Alpha guests and converts will be able to integrate into the community of faith through a CG and be winsomely followed up through fellowship, bible study and prayers.

2.    Invite a friend or serve in the next Alpha Course held from 3 August to 5 October 2027. It is never too early to start praying for your pre-believing friends and families, especially the 3 names you committed to pray in the 1-for-Jesus this year. Perhaps it is God’s timing of salvation for them. Let us join our hearts to believe for God’s harvest together.