Alpha, the internationally recognised Christian course designed for exploring faith, has reported its most successful year since its inception in 1977.
In 2024, more than two million people participated in Alpha courses around the world – the highest annual uptake in the movement’s history.
Last year, more than 81,000 Alpha courses were run across 146 countries, supported by over 43,000 churches, organisations and individuals. Since its launch at Holy Trinity Brompton nearly fifty years ago, and its subsequent adaptation in 1990 by the Revd Nicky Gumbel for those not connected to church, Alpha has maintained its simple small group format, while expanding its reach worldwide.
The format of the Alpha course revolves around shared meals and open conversation about potential barriers to believing in Jesus. The programme is free for churches and small groups to run.
A key development in 2024 was the introduction of the Alpha Youth Series, which launched in November. In just a few months, over 250,000 young people in 53 countries participated in the new series. Notably, over a third of all Alpha participants last year were under the age of 25, reflecting the growing appeal of Alpha among younger generations.
Alpha’s record statistics come in the context of the ‘Quiet Revival’, which has seen an uptick in Gen Z adults attending church in the UK. Yet the continent with the largest growth was Africa, which saw the total number of Alpha attendees increase by 47 per cent.
Miles Toulmin, CEO of Alpha International, told Premier: “We contextualise our video resources, so people can hear the gospel in their heart language, and in a way that’s contextually relevant for them.”
He said that young people in particular are turning to the course for a “spiritual experience and encounter".
“They’re bringing questions about loneliness and mental health challenges. They’re asking: ‘Is there more to life than just the tangible, and how can I fulfil that yearning in my soul?’”