Alpha Course
Bethlehem – On Tuesday, February 15th Bethlehem Bible College finished a two-day workshop on the Alpha course. The training workshop was held in the College’s New Building and led by Rev. Jeff Kirby and his colleague Rev. Bob LeLietner, two pastors from Kansas, USA.
Dr. Bishara Awad, the President of Bethlehem Bible College, along with Rev. Alex Awad, the Dean of Students, and Munther Isaac, the Assistant Academic Dean, were in attendance. Ms. Shireen Hilal provided Arabic translation. A number of BBC employees and more than thirty students from the Theology Department also attended the workshop.
On the first day, Pastor Jeff introduced the history and philosophy of the Alpha course, which was founded by Rev. Nicky Gumbel. The course is meant to introduce and provide discussion on the basic tenants of the Christian faith by answering ten different questions over the course of ten weeks. Pastor Jeff discussed the various ways that Alpha can be applied within the local Palestinian context. Participants were taught how to organize and offer an Alpha course in their own communities. On the second day, participants were divided into groups to undergo a sample Alpha meeting. They discussed the question “Why did Christ die on the cross?”
The workshop was a rich time of sharing, learning, and training for all. Pastor Bob noted, “It is beautiful to hear the witnesses of the students and to hear about the ministries that they are involved in. It is a wonderful thing to do ministry in Bethlehem, the city where Jesus Christ was born and where the message of salvation first came to this world.”
In concluding the workshop, Dr. Bishara thanked Rev. Jeff and Rev. Bob for coming to teach. The students were encouraged to be part of ministry and to embody the unity of the Body of Christ.
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