More than 50,000 people began or renewed their relationship with Jesus Christ after attending an evangelistic Alpha Canada course in 2024, according to the Alpha Canada Impact Report 2024, released on Feb. 21. Significant engagement was seen among Chinese communities and the youth.
Last year saw a 13 percent increase in Alpha course attendance compared to 2023, with 119,981 participants, of whom 52,281 found Jesus for themselves.
Shaila Visser, national director for Alpha Canada, called 2024 “a landmark year filled with research, new releases” in her introduction to the report. She highlighted Alpha Canada’s partnership with the Flourishing Congregations Institute to study how Canadian church leaders engage in evangelism, as previously reported by Christian Daily International.
According to the report, 72 percent of leaders reported a marked increase in spiritual curiosity in their local communities. “This openness is a testament to how God is stirring hearts across our communities,” Visser commented.
“Perhaps because of this openness, 2024 saw a record number of Alphas run—an astounding 5,194 Alphas hosted in schools, homes, institutions, and churches nationwide. God is moving in communities across Canada! We also welcomed 270 Canadians to the U.K. Leadership Conference in May 2024, the largest number of attendees yet.”
“We also saw extraordinary growth in our Chinese Alphas and significant success in relaunching Alpha for Prisons,” she said.
The Chinese Alpha initiative included 556 Chinese Alphas run in 244 churches, along with three “mobilizing events” for this cultural context, involving 261 church leaders. With about 1.8 million Chinese living in Canada, Alpha leaders recognized the need for Alpha resources in the Chinese community’s “heart language and context.” The Chinese Alpha Film Series, first launched in 2022, is one such resource.
“I’ve seen its impact firsthand, even in English church contexts where it runs alongside existing Alpha courses, as participants, whether growing in faith or simply exploring it, formed deeper connections, joined small groups, became more engaged in church life, and experienced a true sense of belonging within the community,” said Bosco Tung, from Tyndale Intercultural Ministries Centre in Ontario.
Meanwhile, the new Alpha Youth Series, created by young people, launched in November 2024 and has seen “growing momentum toward change and an eagerness to explore faith and ask questions, especially among youth,” according to Visser.
“So many of the rising generation are moved by Jesus and eager to share him with their peers,” she stated. “Their passion is contagious, and we are dedicated to supporting them in their mission to reach their friends with the good news of Jesus.
“It was an honour to see Canada represented in the new series, including a Canadian, Rocco Pound, as one of the hosts. This is a generation of leaders! Alpha Canada is dedicated to seeing them grow and flourish as we support the local church. This is the generation that will transform our nation.”
A highlight in the report was a collaborative event for Alpha leaders, involving 31 church leaders from 19 churches and 10 denominations at St. Paul’s Bloor Street in October 2024. The event included prayers for children and youth and worship with The Worship Project.
“I only have a few years of experience working in the church, but I thought it was one of the best collaborative events I’ve participated in. Not only did it model Alpha’s heart and values, but also provided an opportunity to unify churches and offer support and prayer for one another,” said Stephanie Fong from Bayview Glen Church in Thornhill, Ontario.
Looking ahead to 2025, Visser expressed excitement about how God will continue to use Alpha Canada to reach more people.
“God is on the move, and we are moving with him! We continue to be a data-informed, Spirit-led ministry, tuning in to where he is at work,” she said.
