Increasingly, young people are growing up with little exposure to Christianity. Opportunity to hear the gospel is minimal and, as government policies change, chaplains are being removed from many public schools.
We are aware many emerging generations have a high-level of interest in faith and spirituality but the opportunity to explore Christian views is limited due to cultural pressures and social changes (Young Australians report, ANU, 2018).Alpha enables young people to share faith through story and conversation, with research demonstrating this peer-to-peer element of evangelism is particularly important for Gen-Z, who may otherwise feel resistant to a sense of 'enforced' religion in a school setting.
The Alpha Youth Series has three components - a meal (or snacks in a school context), a video presentation and a discussion. The program is generally delivered each week over a period of 8-10 weeks and is well-suited to take place across a school term, at lunchtime, after school, or within Christian Education classes.
Alpha is designed to build community and social connections while facilitating genuine dialogue and conversations about faith. Alpha Australia believes there is great opportunity and need to deliver this program, at scale, to young people within schools, youth groups and universities.