May 2 – Revitalization and Regeneration of Churches

Alpha Course

Location: National presence in France, based in Paris

Represented by Véronique de Corberon

Current Context

Over the past 24 years, 300,000 people in France have encountered the Christian faith through Alpha courses. In 2023, 1,300 courses were organized, including 300 for young people under 18 years old and over 200 courses for couples.

The theme “Regeneration” shows how we must always renew ourselves to reach people where they are. Today’s couples are not the same as yesterday’s, and the same goes for GenZ youth, who are more open and curious than the previous generation. We need to learn their language, their needs and expectations. The Good News doesn’t change, but we need to adapt the way we communicate it, bring it to life and pass it on.

“I came to the course because I need to know what I’m going to do in my life, and how I want to do it. If I wanted to invite a friend, I’d say: Come as you are, with everything you have, your questions, your concerns, what you think you don’t know, what you do know.” Diane, 26 years old

“The themes helped me find a way to respond to church regulars, I learned to ask them questions rather than give them answers. The course has helped me in my ministry.«

Actions and results achieved in 2024

• Reached out to young people wherever they were and led a major event in January 2024 hosting 250 new believers and non-Christians
• Served those who are in deserted areas: far away, isolated or suffering from loneliness.
• Revised and updated our training tools and increased training coverage

The testimonies are as powerful and touching as ever! Course attendees tell us how much their lives have been transformed during an Alpha class, course leaders express their enthusiasm at seeing fellowship develop within their church community and priests/pastors discover the joy of collaborating with secular people while seeing the impact of courses as the demand for baptisms increases.

In 2024, our financial stability was challenged, but we worked hard and the Lord sent us donors we never expected! We can see how much the Lord is on our side and how fruitful the courses are for both the churches and the course attendees.

An increase of 15% in the number of courses, including 30% for family courses demonstrates the immense spiritual thirst in France. Unfortunately this need doesn’t always cause people to turn to the Church (75% of 18-35 year olds believe in esotericism – IFOP 2022 survey). The mission of the Alpha courses is precisely to help churches revitalize themselves and reach out to those who are lost. 

Projects in 2025

We believe that the Lord is calling us to help the Church go beyond its walls, to listen to the world, to allow everyone to feel welcomed unconditionally and to experience a fraternal and convivial church community. We serve the Church that must transform and regenerate itself.

Prayer requests

1. Pray for more volunteers to get involved in Alpha course teams. 

2. Pray that the national team will find the means and the words to better help these local teams grow and reach out to people who are far from the faith. The French are thirsty for God and need a safe and welcoming opportunity to meet Him. May the Alpha courses be a gateway to help them discover God’s love and tenderness through Jesus.

Further information

1. Alpha course on the Impact France website: impactfrance.org/alpha 

2. Parcours Alpha website: parcoursalpha.fr