Alpha, a renowned introduction to Christianity course, has reached 32 million participants worldwide in 175-plus countries to date. An Alpha series specifically geared for youth originated in 2013 – but now a revised and revamped version is being launched this November to meet the needs of the emerging “Generation Z” in Canada, helping young people know God loves them, according to the ministry.
The new series has been created by young people and for young people after two years of research into contemporary culture. This includes the reality that youngsters live a considerable part of their lives in the digital world.
The new Alpha Youth Series this Autumn is designed to help 12 to 16 year olds explore faith, according to Shaila Visser, Global Senior Vice-President of Alpha International, who also serves as the National Director of Alpha Canada.
“When the world gets darker, Jesus shines brighter. I am filled with hope when I look at what God is doing in this generation, and I can’t wait to see what He does in the season ahead,” Visser told Christian Daily International.
Following the official launch, churches and students will run the introduction to Christianity course for friends and classmates in early 2025.
“We work with thousands of churches and are so excited about what this launch will mean for courses running,” Visser said, adding it was a “significant passion for me.”
Alpha Canada works with youth workers to help create hospitable spaces to explore faith in Jesus for young people. Students are also trained in running Alpha courses for their friends.
These “hospitable places” are part of a vision by Alpha Canada to encourage a culture where students are empowered, after praying, to invite friends and classmates to Alpha sessions. This also involves authentic friendships, according to a statement by Alpha Canada, where anyone can share opinions without feeling judged – all whilst enjoying a shared meal together.
“There are actually so many areas of involvement to help the emerging generation in Canada,” Visser said.
There are 4.4 million students in Canada, according to Alpha Canada, and Statistics Canada records only one out of six young people aged under-18 as Christian.
Cynthia Tran, Chief of Staff for Alpha Canada, said the new youth series was “unlike anything we’ve ever produced.”
“Our prayer is that it creates spaces for students to meet Jesus in thousands of churches, schools, homes and coffee shops across Canada next year,” Tran said. “Each episode is designed to spark real, open conversations where teens feel excited, safe, and empowered to engage with the big questions of life, faith and meaning.”
In particular, she pointed to the unique method of the series being created by believers from the emerging generation for their peers.
“After two years of listening, learning and research, we know that young people have an increasing level of openness, optimism, and spiritual curiosity unlike any generation before,” said Tran. “They want to make and inspire change in the world around them. They seek out authenticity and integrity.
“The Alpha Youth Series is tailor-made for this global generation, weaving in their priorities, challenges, and questions. We are so delighted that the new series serves student leaders looking to create safe and engaging spaces for classmates and friends to explore faith together.
“Our hope is that every student in Canada would have the opportunity to explore faith, meaning and purpose and hear the good news of Jesus,” she added.
The new initiative comes after a new survey, which found a marked interest in Christianity according to participating church leaders in the country.
Alpha Canada did a joint research study called “Priority and Practice of Evangelism” with Flourishing Congregations in 2021, when churches were wrestling in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic and other challenges.
The follow-up research in 2024 entitled ‘Reigniting Hope: Sharing the Good News in Canada’ looked at what had changed for 800 church leaders contacted for the study, and in particular as culture and spiritual interests keeps changing, as reported earlier by Christian Daily International.
The data for 2024 showed church leaders in Canada noted more spiritual curiosity from non-Christians living near their churches with research by Alpha Canada recording a 72 percent increase in such interest compared to three years ago.
The research also found a 56 percent increased likelihood of entering a church building, and 59 percent increase in openness to the gospel by non-believers.
Meanwhile, 44 percent of church leaders reported that their church equipped members to evangelize in 2021 – this figure has now increased to 62 percent. The primary objective of evangelism, in helping people to know and follow Jesus, has also upscaled from 28 percent in 2021 to 65 percent in 2024.
In a video introducing the research, Shaila Visser expressed “delight” with the data.
“We sense that the Lord is on the move in a very interesting way in Canada and we are starting to notice it,” Visser said. “We’re starting to hear from church leaders across the country, who are saying we have never had so many baptisms. We have never had so many people who were lapsed in their faith through our part of the church that are coming back.
“There’s really exciting stories of what God is doing.”
