Church in the Woods and a chocolate fountain ~
a fitting conclusion to the six-month courses
VERO BEACH, FL – 2 October 2006 – After six months of study, our new class of Alpha graduates celebrated with a field trip to Okeechobee followed by a special ceremony at The Source. Staff members, course facilitators, volunteers, and other guests joined the eleven students for these back-to-back memorable occasions.
Twenty-five people piled into five vehicles at 9:00AM on Sunday, September 24th, and headed over to Okeechobee. After 24 weeks of watching him on video, the students were excited to finally meet John Glenn, author of the Alpha Courses. His Church in the Woods is as unique as he is, reflecting the idea that the church is an organism, not a building. A wooden stage, tarps, and picnic tables make up the “sanctuary,” where the church gathers every week, rain or shine. Four of our graduates were baptized in the horse trough at the start of the worship service. At the conclusion, we were treated to a real down-home luncheon of sloppy joes and french fries. The leisure extended into the late afternoon, affording plenty of time for relaxation and fellowship.
On Tuesday evening, a full house gathered to applaud our students at the graduation ceremony. Colorful balloons and ribbons imparted their own merriment. Course facilitators offered personal insight and words of encouragement to each of our graduates. Certificates were presented as the cameras flashed and the crowd cheered. The Holy Spirit flowed freely, and so did the chocolate! Skewers of strawberries, bananas, and marshmallows, pretzels and peanut butter cookies were dipped under the fountain and delighted in liberally. It was a joy to honor these men and women who worked hard, learned much, and grew in grace.
About the Students
Of the eleven students, six are currently homeless, two are previously homeless, two are developmentally disabled, three are recovering alcoholics, and five are seniors. Only three of them have vehicles. Yet these men and women have exhibited great determination, attending weekly classes and completing the written assignments faithfully for a solid six months. Coming from such challenging circumstances, they each have great cause to celebrate.
About the Program
The Alpha Series is a multi-phase discipleship and recovery program for new believers and for those who struggle with life controlling issues. Phase I is focused on what it means to be “born again” as a child of God. We learn that it is possible to break the cycles of dysfunction by embracing our new identity in Christ. After completing the 24 weeks of Alpha, students are eligible to continue on to phase II, Relational Ministry. This part of the course teaches us how to have healthy relationships and enables us to effectively minister God’s grace to one another.
The Alpha Series was designed by John Glenn (of Okeechobee, not Cape Canaveral.) John Glenn has been pastoring churches for over thirty years. He has been actively involved in Christian recovery since 1988 as a teacher, counselor, and consultant for a number of faith-based recovery programs, including Faith Farms and Dunklin Memorial. In addition, he has authored numerous Christ-centered recovery courses. The Source has been using these materials with tremendous success.
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