Youth Alpha Film Series

Youth Alpha

Yesterday I attended a gathering of the Victorian Youth Ministers Network and the guests were Jason and Ben from Canada. These two have created a film series for alpha with the aim to resourcing students to share their faith where they are. This is being used in around 100 schools in Canada, and over 5000 students in Canada have reportedly responded to the gospel for the first time. It has been translated into different languages, and professionally dubbed into Spanish and Portugese. This format is being well used in Latin America.

They have worked hard to make sure that while the videos are relevant in Canada, they can also be used across the world. As I have watched at least half of the videos, I have found that I don’t need to filter much to make it relevant for us here. This suggests an enormous amount of work has gone into the writing and preparing before filming began.

Jason and Ben, with me, talking about Youth Alpha

I should add that I was fortunate enough to be able to have some extra time with Jason and Ben before the VYMN gathering and learn more about the process and aim of the youth alpha film series.

But should we use this series?

I know that there are some in my tribe who have some concerns about Alpha – and I understand those concerns. And in the discussion yesterday there was certainly some phrases used that I would no longer use. (Such as ‘inviting the Holy Spirit in’. I believe the triune God is already there. But I get what they mean.) But I don’t think we should let that kind of language stop of us from making use of a resource that is so helpful. Wisdom matters.

Also, it's free. You can download all the videos for free. No cost. That's something worth considering. And while some free things aren't even worth that much, the quality of these video presentations are better than some things you do pay for.

Jason and Ben spoke to us on a couple of important issues for connecting the gospel with teenagers. One was ‘Mobilising Students’ and the second was ‘Reaching Students’. I’ll post about these soon. 

For more info go to http://australia.alpha.org/youthalivevic