We're so glad that you're thinking of running an Alpha! Here are 7 simple steps to help you find key resources, save time, and organize a worry-free Alpha. If you've already registered your Alpha, click here for a short Intro to Alpha video.
Step 1 - Preview the Videos.
If you're new to Alpha, you can browse through the different series and watch an episode all the way through to get a feel for the content and format. Our 3-minute intro to Alpha videos will give you a brief overview of how Alpha works!
✅ How? First, create a MyAlpha account (if you haven't already). Course Administrators, Table Hosts, and Alpha Helpers each need their own account. Then you'll have access to the following:
Preview Resources tab: See the different series and watch a whole episode.
Learning Centre tab: Watch short video clips on how Alpha works.
Help Articles: Find the most common questions and helpful answers.
Step 2 - Pray, Pray, Pray!
One of the foundational values of running Alpha is to be reliant on God, and prayer is the greatest expression of that value. Throughout each step of running Alpha, remember to pray.
✅ How?
Pray for Guidance: Ask God how he is inviting you to participate in the lives of those around you. Is there a specific group in your community that God might be calling you to engage with? Do you have a heart to reach specific people who are on a faith journey and seeking more meaning in life? (Life Shared Series)
Pray for Others: Download the 11:02 Prayer Card and fill in 3 names to pray for daily at 11:02 am. Print and distribute these cards to your church. Inspire them to pray for friends and family at 11:02 am each day.
Jesus said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Luke 11:2)
Step 3 - Access All the Resources.
After registering an Alpha, you’ll have free access to all the materials. Our easy-to-use online platform ("MyAlpha") helps you organize your sessions, build your team, and manage your schedule with just a few clicks.
✅ How? If you're the primary Alpha leader (Course Administrator), please log in and register each course every year on the MyAlpha website. It's all free!
📣 Only ONE person can be the Course Administrator.
Hosts and Helpers can be added to the "My Team" section and will have access to all the materials. But only Course Admins will have access to change the Schedule dates and add team members. Whoever registers the course is the Course Administrator.
NOTE: Use our Alpha Planning Checklist if you're brand new to Alpha and/or watch the 7 Best Practices Overview video.
Step 4 - Build Your A-Team (Alpha Team). 😃
We recommend that you have an initial meeting with interested core leaders to decide on the major details: location, full meal or snack, decor, music, retreat format, start date, and overall budget. Then assign specific roles.
✅ How? Select your team, connect them, and train them!
Prayerfully select your team for specific roles (Team Role Info).
Connect your team to your specific Alpha course materials.
Under the "My Team" tab, add your team's email addresses.
They will receive an email with an access link to log in with their own email address and password.
This access link will expire 7 days after you add their email to the Team section. Click on the 3 dots to "Resend the invitation."
Train your team. Plan a team-building afternoon together with training, fun, and prayer (Ideas for Team Building). Log in to MyAlpha to access:
Videos: Watch and discuss the team training videos together (30 min each).
Plan and Prepare: Review team roles, checklists, title slides, etc.
For Your Team: Review the Host and Helper Guidelines with your volunteers.
NOTE: Hosts & helpers added to the "My Team" section can download the Alpha videos, handouts, and promotional materials. They cannot see the "My Team" tab and cannot change the schedule dates.
Note: Everyone in the "My Team" section is a host/helper even if it says "Course Administrator." This is the role they chose in their MyAlpha profile but they do not have Course Admin permissions and they cannot see the My Team section.
Step 5 - Receive the Weekly Resource Email!
Each week, Alpha Canada will email you and your team a buffet of quick links, top tips and key reminders according to the dates you set up in your schedule. You want to ensure that you're receiving the right information at the right time!
✅ How? Adjust your dates in the "Schedule" section.
After you register an Alpha course, look for the "My Alpha Courses" tab on the left side. Please click on the red "View and edit" button. This will open up the next page! You will see 5 tabs at the top.
Click on the "Schedule" tab at the top. You'll find our recommended order of Alpha sessions.
Customize the online schedule so that the dates match up with each session of your Alpha (eg, if you need to skip a week because of a holiday or Spring Break).
Look for the Resource Email in your Inbox for top tips and reminders each week. There's no need to forward any emails if you add your volunteers' emails in the My Team section (see step 4 "Connect").
Note: Only the Course Administrator can adjust the Alpha course dates in the Schedule section. Hosts & Helpers can see the Schedule but don't see the calendar icons to change dates.
Step 6 - Promote your Alpha & Invite Guests.
Alpha Canada provides over 50 templates for you to share digitally or to print (in-house, at a local print shop, or through an online printing service). We have separate promo for your church, for guests, and/or you can create your own promo using the Alpha logo (with branding guidelines).
✅ How?
Under the "Promote" tab, use the arrow and choose from the dropdown box options.
Promote to Church: Use the Sunday Service Guide for ideas to inspire your church to invite people to Alpha. Share the 11:02 Prayer Cards with your church and print a banner to hang outside the building. Show the "Who will you invite?" video for inspiration.
Promote to Guests: Prayerfully share guest invitations, social media images, video trailers, and inspirational story videos (Ideas to Promote Your Alpha).
Note: Alpha Canada provides over 50 templates for you to share digitally or to print (in-house, at a local print shop, or through an online printing service). We do not print, sell, or ship promotional resources. We're here to help if you have any questions.
Step 7 - You're ready to start Alpha! 🌟
You've prayed, your team is trained and prepared, you've invited guests to Alpha, and you've got the resources ready for the first night of Alpha. The rest is up to God!
To avoid potential internet connectivity issues on the night of your Alpha, we recommend downloading the videos ahead of time and saving them to your computer.
✅ How? Download the weekly video and print the PDF handouts.
Videos: Click on any weekly Alpha video and a window will open with the video at the top and the resources for that specific session underneath (briefing video, Team Guide, Guest Guide). See example below. Info to Find Resources.
For Your Team: Print the weekly discussion questions PDF in the Team Guide for your Hosts and Helpers.
For Your Guests: Print the weekly video outline PDF from the Guest Guide for your Alpha participants.
🔗 SAVE THESE LINKS!
🧑💻 Log in to MyAlpha anytime: app.alpha.org/ca
🗣️ Speak with an Alpha Coach: alphacanada.org/coaching
👥 Join a small cohort of Alpha Leaders for support: alphacanada.org/cohorts
✅ Need to change your course settings? No problem. Course Administrators can click on the "Edit Details" button to adjust the start date, time, location, and even the name of your Alpha (eg. Alpha for Everyone!). More info here.
Recommended for you! 🎉
7 Best Practices video (4 min)