KUCHING — The 2-day Alpha Conference Kuching 2010, which was held on the 16-17 April at Trinity Methodist Church, received an overwhelming response and was attended by about 1,200 delegates.
The Conference was organised by Alpha Malaysia in partnership with the Association of Churches of Sarawak. This Conference was partly sponsored by the Sarawak Convention Bureau.
In his welcoming address, Bishop Datuk Bolly Lapok, the Chairman of the Association of Churches and the Bishop of Sarawak and Brunei, fully endorsed the Alpha courses and welcomed all present. The Catholic Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kuching, His Grace John Ha, upon whose initiation the Conference was brought to Kuching, in his opening address reminded the delegates of the urgency and the need to do something for the spread of the love and Good News of Christ in a world that is now so opposed to God.
“There has never been a greater and more urgent need to draw our people to Christ and deepen their relationship with him than today,” he said. He concluded his address by saying “we must not… do nothing”.
Eighty seven percent of the delegates were from various states of Malaysia whilst the remaining 13 percent came from New Zealand, Australia, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, India, Sri Lanka and Seychelles.
The huge gathering of peoples from various nations, states, tribes and 15 denominations in unity is a demonstration of God’s amazing power and grace. Amongst the denominations represented at the Conference were Catholics, Anglicans, Methodists, Baptists, Pentecostal, Assembly of God, Presbyterian, Lutherans, Basel, SIB, Salvation Army, Seventh Day Adventist and many others.
The Alpha Conference, which was aimed at facilitating Christians to use Alpha resources to go out to the nations to share the love and Good News of Christ, was pioneered and developed by Rev Nicky Gumbel from Holy Trinity Brompton, London. Kuching had the privilege to welcome Rev Nicky, his wife, Pippa and his team consisting of Rev Jamie Haith, Tim Hughes and Al Gordon to speak at the Conference. They were supported by other seminar speakers from London, India, Singapore and Malaysia.
During the conference, testimonies were heard of the many lives which were miraculously transformed through the Alpha Courses. Leaders were also reminded of the leadership model of Jesus Christ.
The response from the delegates attending the Conference were very positive and many returned with a sense of awe and felt they have been envisioned and empowered to conduct Alpha courses and continue their various ministries in their churches.
Perpetua Phang
The following are some testimonies after the Conference:
“I have never felt so deeply touched by the Holy Spirit during the worship sessions with over a thousand delegates praising God. I have learned that instead of using my own ways, the Alpha Course is a more effective tool to evangelise and share the faith with non Christians, as well as lapsed and new Christians.” Ursula Wong, Holy Trinity Parish (Delegate)
“It is an honour and a privilege to be called to serve in the Alpha Conference. I find that it is amazing that all denomination can come in unity as one to serve and work with one purpose, I don’t see churches but the body of Christ.” Mary Chen, Alpha Conference Hospitality Team
“As I heard testimonies of how Christians developed closer relationship with God and non-christians came to know him in a non-threatening way, I am convinced that it is an effective tool. This is also the first time I witnessed the different working of the Holy Spirit including enabling Christians to speak in tongues in amazing harmony.” Ling Teck Yee, Faith Methodist Church (Delegate)
Click here for more photos. Photo courtesy of Brandon Eu.
