Jesus did not just preach the gospel of the kingdom; he embodied it. Wherever Jesus went, the kingdom of God went. Jesus embodied the vision of the Kingdom of God, of transformation—one meal at a time. Eating with people far from God wasn’t a picture of salvation—it was salvation. As Jesus said over dinner with Zacchaeus, “Today salvation has come to this house.”
It's no secret that our increasingly post-Christian culture is no longer warm or even neutral to the gospel. It's hostile to it. Many people perceive "Christianity" as part of the problem, not the solution. Most people who aren’t following Jesus have zero interest in hearing the gospel. So, how can we create space for the gospel in our current cultural moment? I believe we should do it the same way Jesus did: by eating and drinking. And you know what we've discovered? Alpha has proven to be an incredibly powerful tool in making that dream a reality. It's a safe space for questions, doubts, and honest conversations. And honestly, it's one of the most effective ways we've seen people encounter Jesus and take steps toward faith.
Think about it. When have some of your most meaningful conversations happened? Chances are, it was over a meal. There's something inherently relational about sharing food. It lowers our defences, creates a sense of community, and opens the door for authentic dialogue. In a world that often feels rushed and disconnected, gathering around a table to share a meal is a radical act of hospitality. This is at the heart of Alpha.
At Alpha, people are free to ask any question, no matter how big or small. They can express their doubts, share their experiences, and explore their own beliefs in a non-judgmental space. It's a space where people can genuinely wrestle with the big questions of life and faith.
The table is the most relevant form of evangelism, and for us as a new campus, we know that if we’re going to see people come to faith in Jesus, it will happen over time, around tables, in meaningful conversations. We're not just trying to build a campus; we're trying to build a community. We want to create a place where people feel like they belong, where they can be themselves, and where they can find hope and purpose.
In the past, we've seen people who came in with skepticism and doubt leave with a newfound sense of hope and purpose. We've seen friendships blossom and lives transformed. Would you consider being a part of our first official Alpha at CLA Abbotsford? It’s launching on April 28th. Whether you’d like to be apart of the team that makes it happen, or there’s someone on your heart to invite; there’s a seat for you at the table.
I’ll leave you with this thought from John Mark Comer expressed it this way in his book, Practicing The Way.
“We can't force a person to become a disciple of Jesus, nor would we want to. But we can offer them a space where such a change can occur, even if slowly over time. We can actively seek out the lonely, the newcomer, the uncool, the poor, the immigrant or refugee those with no family or no home and welcome them in to a community of love.
This was Jesus' way.
It is still the best way.”
