Maybe you've got questions about God, faith, or the meaning of life — but you're not sure where to ask them without feeling judged. Alpha is a free, 11-session course designed for exactly that: a relaxed space where anyone can explore the basics of the Christian faith over food, a short talk, and honest conversation.^1
Each session follows a simple rhythm — share a meal, watch a talk unpacking a big question (like "Who is Jesus?" or "How can I have faith?"), and then discuss it openly in a small group. There's no pressure to believe anything, agree with anything, or even speak up. Alpha runs in churches, homes, cafes, prisons, universities, and online — across every major Christian denomination — in over 175 countries and more than 100 languages. All resources, training, and talks are provided completely free by Alpha International.^2
Alpha began in 1977 at Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) in London and was reimagined in 1990 by Nicky Gumbel, who transformed it from a course for new believers into an invitation for anyone curious about Christianity. Since then, over 37 million people have experienced Alpha worldwide.^3 The Alpha Film Series (2016) and a brand-new Alpha Youth Series (2024) bring the talks to life through cinematic episodes filmed around the globe. A companion mobile app lets guests rewatch sessions, access bonus content, and journal their reflections throughout the course.^4
Why Christians Love It"My mum noticed a banner advertising the Alpha course. She went, week after week, and one night she came home transformed. She had encountered Jesus personally." Kathryn Segal went on to attend Alpha herself at age 15, and within a few years every member of her family — mum, dad, and younger brother — had come to faith through Alpha.^5
"I love the content and the message and how Alpha as a program works. The flow of the program on the app and ease of use is fantastic."^6
"A brilliant accompaniment for the course."^6
Notable- Alpha is pursuing a 2033 vision to see 100 million people have the opportunity to hear the Gospel through the course^7
- Over 2 million people tried Alpha last year alone^2
- 3,500 Global Chinese Alpha Conference attendees gathered in 2025; over 200,000 people in Asia hear the Gospel annually through Alpha since the Chinese Alpha Film Series launched in 2022^8
- Alpha also produces The Marriage Course, The Bible with Nicky and Pippa Gumbel (daily Bible reading app), and hosts an annual Leadership Conference featuring speakers like Bear Grylls, Christine Caine, and Simon Sinek^3
- Runs across Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, and Pentecostal churches worldwide^1
Platforms: iOS, Android, Web (course runs in-person and online) Pricing: Free (always free for everyone)
