School Alpha
School Alpha
School Alpha is a condensed version of the Youth Alpha Course and it is run in schools either as part of the extra -curricular activity (in schools where the Christian Fellowship is allowed to be run) or in small groups where students meet at their own convenience. All students are welcome on a School Alpha Course and students have a wide variety of reasons for attending.
Some want to investigate whether God exists and if there is any point to life; others are concerned about what happens after death; still others may have attended church on and off all their lives but feel they have never really understood the basics of the Christian faith.
Students come from many different backgrounds, holding many different viewpoints – but all come with the same objective: to establish whether Jesus Christ has any real relevance for their lives.
“What I like most about the School Alpha is the time we spend preparing for the sessions. We meet to discuss the ice-breakers and discussions. Then I also enjoy the snacks and mingle time as it makes us feel relaxed after a long week in school.” - Alistair Ong, 17 years old
“I like School Alpha because it is different and we are all allowed to share our stories with one another in our group. I have learnt so much from these.” - Ng Tsae Yuan, 19 years old
What is Alpha?
Developed at Holy Trinity Brompton church in London, Alpha is a ten week opportunity to explore the validity and relevance of the Christian faith for our lives today. It is a practical introduction to the basics of Christianity with lots of opportunity for debate and discussion.
The style of Alpha is informal, friendly and non-pressurizing. It is enjoyed and appreciated as much by those who have never set foot in a church as it is by those who once attended and also by the regular churchgoer.
“I enjoy School Alpha very much because it is interesting and really fun. My friends really enjoy it too.” - Jayne Chong, 15 years old
“The group discussions are really good because we get a chance to hear each others’ stories. The relaxed atmosphere is so good for us to bring our friends along. I still miss the singing though.” - Wong Li Xin, 17 years old
Who is Alpha for?
• Those wanting to investigate Christianity
• Those who are curious about Christianity
• Those who feel that they have never really got going as a Christian
• Christians who want to brush-up on the basics
How is it run?
The Alpha course begins with snacks, followed by a talk. Students are then divided into smaller groups to discuss any questions raised from the talk. This is a typical School Alpha meeting. Then there is also an opportunity to go on a weekend away. This has been a key part of the course and a great success in helping people get to know each other and God.
| Activity | Time | |
| 1. | Snacks & Ice Breaker | 15 min |
| 2. | Talk – Point 1 | 10 min |
| 3. | Group Discussion – Point 1 | 5 min |
| 4. | Talk – Point 2 | 10 min |
| 5. | Group Discussion – Point 2 | 5 min |
| 6. | Talk – Point 3 & Summarise The Talk | 15 min |
| 7. | Prayer ( when it is the right time to do so) | 5 min |
Stories from Students
“I joined the Christian Fellowship in school since I was in Form 1 and I’ve learnt a lot from it. I gave my life to Christ in one of the meetings and since then, my life has transformed tremendously. I have learnt to serve in different ways such as in sharing testimonies, leading small groups, encouraging others and making good friends.
Currently, we are running the School Alpha course which is a great tool to reach out to friends. We enjoy discussing together. I am always happy when friends turn up for the School Alpha. Age is not a limit in serving God’s Kingdom. We can serve with a cheerful and young heart.” - Vera Li
Note: Vera is currently serving as the President of her school’s Christian Fellowship.
“In my 3 years with the CF, I have learnt many different things and shared many experiences. The CF helped me in my walk with Jesus. One thing I struggled with was inviting my friends for CF meetings. Several times when I asked a few of my friends to come they wouldturn me down and I felt disappointed but as I kept on trying, a few of them started to come.
Seeing them wanting to learn more about Jesus and giving their lives to Christ made me even happier. I also help to run the different programmes and activities like School Alpha. I truly believe that God is working in the life of the students and the CF is an amazing avenue for students to gather and learn more about God and at the same time fellowship with one another.” - James Raj
Note: James Raj sits for his PMR at the end of 2009 and serves actively as an Alpha Leader in his school and in his church.
“School Alpha is an excellent way to get to know Christianity and discover truths about Jesus, faith, prayer and the Bible. It has also been so much of fun and I am able to fellowship with so many others during the meetings. The greatest impact to me has been the discussion times where we are able to share and learn from one another.” - Dexter Chong
Note: Dexter will be sitting for his SPM at the end of 2009 and actively serves as a School Alpha leader in his school.
Photo Album of the Reading Bus First visit to Kampung Pueh
Click on slide show to view all the photo.
The Reading Bus
What’s the Reading Bus?
The READING BUS is one of the community projects of Bethany Ministries. It is a mobile library programme, in which a rural village will be adopted for a period of three months and a team of 5 will be sent out to the village every forthnightly over the weekends to help set up a library in the village. To see this being achieved the team will run several delayed education, reading intervention and motivational programmes alongside the Alpha Course which will be conducted during the nights.
Goals & Objectives
- To provide reading opportunities for rural children and teenagers
- To initiate a feasible, easily available and manageable mobile library programme for the villages
- To provide avenues for urban teenagers to give by teaching and conducting elementary English reading programmes
- To help elevate reading interest amongst children and teenagers in the village
- To train a minimum of 2 volunteers to carry on the library program after 3 months
- To set up a permanent library in the village with sufficient numbers of books to ensure continuity
The Reading Bus Programme’s Schedule
| Time | Activity | Resource |
| 0900 - 1700 | Library Programme |
|
| 1000 - 1100 | Sticker Book Programme |
|
| 1100 - 1200 | “Most Important Story Ever Told” Lesson |
|
| 1500 - 1700 | Key Words with Ladybird Reading Competition |
|
LIBRARY PROGRAMME
STICKER BOOK PROGRAMME
“MOST IMPORTANT STORY EVER TOLD” LESSON
KEY WORDS WITH LADYBIRD READING COMPETITION
Our Stories
“I was overwhelmed by the turnout of the children. On the first trip we had 35 children and by the second trip, it shot up to 45. As I observed and spoke to the children, I realised that many had dreams, BIG dreams which they never really thought could ever come to reality. One even said that he dreams to be an architect in London.
The Reading Bus was causing a chain reaction, as they saw us and talked to us about our own dreams and how God has been a Great Provider to us, they began to realise that nothing was impossible.“ - Natasha Binya Nanta
Note: Natasha is now studying social work at Curtin University in Perth, Australia.
“I enjoyed working together in a team of many different races and ethnicities. The time spent in preparation was really beneficial to me as I learnt several new things along the way. I was greatly blessed and encouraged as I taught the children because they were so willing to listen and to learn from me. It was a great pleasure just seeing them smile and recite words from the sticker books. As I was teaching them, I was wonderfully reminded that we learn, mature and change everyday.” - Stanley Okonkwo
Note: Stanley will soon be in London to complete his degree in Electronic Engineering.
“I am truly grateful for the privilege to be on the Reading Bus trip not long ago. It is so encouraging to see the humility of young people from Bethany as they served God by meeting the needs of the villagers and their children in particular.At the beginning of the trip, I was expecting to only share with the villagers, but it turned out to be a total different thing because I was more blessed and encouraged than them. Another thing that touched me was when I saw how the youths in the village were willingly teaching the younger ones, and finally hearing the testimonies from the team members after the trip, made the entire trip so memorable for me.” – Eugene Tan
Note: Eugene Tan is currently doing his 3rd year in medical school in Kursk, Russia and continues to serve actively in his church.
The Reading Bus 1, First Visit to Kampung Pueh
Kampung Pueh (Pueh Village - approx. 110km from Kuching)
Registration for the Mobile Library Borrowing of books
Noel (a volunteer) doing a Sticker Book lesson
Erika teaching The Most Important Story Ever Told
Homework Centre
Homework Assistance
Homework Assistance runs from 2pm to 5pm at Bethany Home and is an exciting outreach ministry where students invite their classmates to study together, share and learn from each other. All groups are led by one or two volunteers who themselves have been blessed in their studies through the Homework Assistance program.
I love people and seeing the students coming in to study with such weak foundation in their studies , it makes me look forward to being there for them each week. I wish to be a teacher who will make a difference in the lives of the children one day - Jolina Chang, 18 years old
"I feel good about studying in Bethany. If I don't understand certain topics or stuff, I can ask people. Anyway, if I stayed at home, I would probably be watching television and wasting my time." - Kevin Yip, 17 years old
"If I stayed at home, I would be sleeping or playing computer games. I find Bethany Home very conducive because it is quiet and I have many friends who encourage me and spur me on." - Alvin Chin, 18 years old
Academic Assistance
Held throughout the school year, Academic Assistance is a ministry set up to assist students in catching up with their school subjects. Classes offered are English, Malay language, Mathematics and Science. The classes are held from 3pm to 5pm at Bethany Home each day.
In the last few years there has been an average of 120 students who turn up every week for the Academic Assistance classes. Students contribute a small token as a sign of commitment to their studies.
"I don't feel bored when I am at Bethany Home because there is always something to do. Whenever I need help in my studies, there is always somebody around to help me. Bethany Home also provides food and transport for us." - Teo Kuo Leat, 16 years old
"In Bethany Home I am able to get a lot of help from older students who willingly help me whenever I need help in my studies. I am unable to do this at home as I am always expected to study alone." - Joyce Chai Ying Ying, 15 years old
"I find the place very conducive and comfortable to study. The air-conditioning helps me stay focused for a longer time. I have improved in my subjects in school. I love being in Bethany Home." - Mok Chin Yaw, 15 years old
Online Assistance
Online Assistance is held from 2pm to 5pm everyday and is focused on helping students become IT literate. Computers with internet connections and printers are made available for the students to use.
Students use the facilities to complete their school projects and free classes are given to students who wish to learn how to use computer.
There are currently four Online Assistance computers available to students, and there are plans to add to that number to meet the needs of the increasing number of students using Bethany Home.
"Bethany Home provides me a place to study as well as internet connection to do research online for my school projects. Each time I need help, there is also someone there for me." - Florence Richard, 18 years old
"I am able to focus on my work when I come to Bethany and I have improved in all my grades in school. I finally feel that I can make it through my PMR." - Sim Pei Ching, 15 years old
Our Stories
"I sat for my SPM examination a few months after I became a Christian. I was weak in my studies because I was not interested and was rather lazy. One day, Pastor Cheli invited me to study at Bethany Home along with some of my friends whom I knew in Bethany, so I gave it a try. I came early in the morning and I would study until late at night. I did not need to worry about my meals or transport home, because all these were provided.
What truly touched my heart and began to motivate me was that most of my friends who were also studying there took time to teach us who were weak. Their earnestness and sincerity encourage me a lot. When the SPM results were released, I couldn't believe what I got; I passed all but one subject. I even got 2 As. What God did for me through the Homework Centre made me think and thus I decided to do the same for other students who are in need now and I love serving God through these ministries."
- Fong Che Chung
Note: Today Che Chung serves as Associate Pastor of Bethany Ministries and oversees the operation of Bethany Home.
"I was excited to be a part of the Homework ministry in Bethany Home and to be able to serve as a tutor to some younger students. I realise that it is in serving that God has taught me how to love and appreciate the people around me.
Serving has also given me avenues to experience God in special ways and to grow in Him. Seeing my friends being touched and coming to know God through simple acts of serving makes me want to serve God even more!"
-Angela Chang
Note: Angela has recently graduated from University Malaya and is currently working as a Quantity Surveyor with a public-listed company.
"I love spending time to teach in Bethany Home. The students turn up with various needs and it makes me feel so good to be able to share with them what I know and by doing so I have been able to share the love of God with them. I feel blessed in having such an opportunity to serve God instead of wasting my time doing aimless things."
-Goh Yan Hui
Note: Yan Hui is currently doing a degree in teaching at the Specialist Teachers' Training Institute in Kuala Lumpur.
What truly touched my heart and began to motivate me was that most of my friends who were also studying there took time to teach us who were weak. Their earnestness and sincerity encourage me a lot. When the SPM results were released, I couldn't believe what I got; I passed all but one subject. I even got 2 As. What God did for me through the Homework Centre made me think and thus I decided to do the same for other students who are in need now and I love serving God through these ministries."
- Fong Che Chung
Note: Today Che Chung serves as Associate Pastor of Bethany Ministries and oversees the operation of Bethany Home.
"I was excited to be a part of the Homework ministry in Bethany Home and to be able to serve as a tutor to some younger students. I realise that it is in serving that God has taught me how to love and appreciate the people around me.
Serving has also given me avenues to experience God in special ways and to grow in Him. Seeing my friends being touched and coming to know God through simple acts of serving makes me want to serve God even more!"
-Angela Chang
Note: Angela has recently graduated from University Malaya and is currently working as a Quantity Surveyor with a public-listed company.
"I love spending time to teach in Bethany Home. The students turn up with various needs and it makes me feel so good to be able to share with them what I know and by doing so I have been able to share the love of God with them. I feel blessed in having such an opportunity to serve God instead of wasting my time doing aimless things."
-Goh Yan Hui
Note: Yan Hui is currently doing a degree in teaching at the Specialist Teachers' Training Institute in Kuala Lumpur.
Video about Bethany Homework Centre
International cross cultural training School
What is ICCTS?
The International Cross Cultural Training School (ICCTS) is a discipleship school that provides skills for ministry and outreach in a cross cultural context. It is designed to stimulate and equip young people to discover and fulfil God’s global purposes.
The 4-week school has a mixture of both theoretical and practical learning and is taught in English. Foreign students can choose to extend their ICCTS experience up to three months.
Components of ICCTS
• Kairos Course: God, the Church and the World
• Discipleship & Mentoring
• Servant Leadership
• Tools for Ministry & Mission
• Reading Bus Ministry (Education outreach)
• Alpha Course Leaders’ Training
• Team Dynamics
• Ministry Opportunities
• Village Outreach (Indigenous peoples)
• Unreached People Groups
• Youth and Children Outreach
• Student Outreach
Who’s Who in ICCTS?
“ICCTS is the fruition of a vision I had while still in New Zealand more than 10 years ago. A school which provides sound biblical training and ministry avenues, raising up trained and passionate young people who will want to see the nations brought into HIS Kingdom.” - Ps Cheli Tamilselvam, Bethany Ministries Malaysia, Principal of ICCTS
“ICCTS testifies to the universality in the diversity of God’s creation.”- Philip Yong, FGBMF East Malaysia, Advisor for ICCTS
“ICCTS is about discovering the purpose and passion of God in fulfilling and finishing HIS redemptive work among all peoples and HIS Kingdom.” - Ps Neduncheliyan, STAMP Malaysia, Facilator of ICCTS
“It’s a good opportunity for young people to be trained and equipped for ministry.” - Ps Ryan Foo, Harvest Generation Malaysia, Teacher of ICCTS
“The ICCTS provides a community environment through which students grow in their faith, skills and Christian worldview. It is a fantastic stepping-stone for any young person wanting to pursue God’s call to cross cultural ministry.” - Janna Ewing, DCBC New Zealand, International Coordinator of ICCTS
Impressions of ICCTS
“Solid biblical instruction and daily impartation from experienced leaders serving in various ministries in Malaysia, with culturally relevant and hands on exposure needed to grasp Jesus' true heart for every believer's role in servant leadership, discipleship and missions.” - Carrie Baber, Global Ministry Teams
“I learnt more about missions, serving others and discipleship. The teachers’ testimonies encouraged me, helping me draw nearer to God.” - Simon Wee, ICCTS graduate 2008
“The way God wants us to spread the gospel is not through our words alone, but by our actions consciously and constantly loving all the people around us.” - Leslie Leong, ICCTS graduate 2008
“The school is a refreshing reminder of God's plan and purpose for the world. Through ICCTS I have learnt how to trust God and to rely on Him as I live my life each day.”
- Oguchi Nzekwe, ICCTS graduate of January 2008
Stories from Students
“I joined ICCTS while on summer break halfway through my medical degree in Russia. ICCTS opened my eyes to a lot of new things. I learnt much on God’s plan and how to evangelize, and also how to communicate with different people. As we visited different places and villages I got to know the different cultures and their lifestyles. It was interesting to learn lots of new thing and I enjoyed it all. The most crucial thing is that after ICCTS I seem to be able to fit in better now that I am back in to Russia. I thank God for giving me this opportunity to go through this course that I may enrich my life with lots of new things.” - Stephen Wong, ICCTS graduate of June 2008
“ICCTS showed me that there are so many people groups out there that can be reached, and going out to help in the villages helped me see beyond the small window of life that we see most of the time in Kuching. The time spent at Kairos mission awareness training was really eye-opening too.” - Shellyn Felicia, ICCTS graduate of June 2008
Note: Shellyn is currently in her final year of law studies at SEGi college and serves as one of the leaders in Bethany Ministries.
“ICCTS was indeed a great learning experience, and I had the privilege to experience it as both a participant and a facilitator. I was deeply challenged to look at ministry for God’s kingdom with a different perspective and it was a blessing to be able to learn and share my life with so many people through the course. The course showed me that regardless how we look on the outside, we are all the same inside – we are all God’s beloved children.” - James Loi, ICCTS graduate of June 2008
Note: James is the Missions Coordinator of Bethany Ministries and is part of the team of teachers at ICCTS.
“ICCTS has helped me draw closer to God and it is an excellent training ground for spiritual disciplines. Through this school I have been given the opportunity to serve and by doing so I am able to discover my gifts. I have also built strong friendships and have learnt how to trust and be accountable to others. I feel that the greatest impact that ICCTS has had on me is that it has ignited a passion within me for the lost and needy.”- Barnabas Ung, ICCTS graduate of June 2008
Note: Barnabas is currently in his final year studying Marketing and Management in Swinburne University, Kuching and serves as a leader in the Campus Alpha ministry.
Stanley's Testimony
Life is made up not of great sacrifices or duties but of little things. I was reminded this week that it is not how long you know somebody but more how you impact the person that counts. I really want to thank God for what He has done for me this week. He has blessed me in so many ways that I feel I cannot even express myself to Him because I feel I do not deserve what He is doing for me. One thing I know is that He calls me son and that I can lean on him when I am weary.
Friends, let us not judge each day by the harvest we reap, but by the seeds we plant!
Stanley
Friends, let us not judge each day by the harvest we reap, but by the seeds we plant!
Stanley
I wish to share how God has blessed me recently... I just bought a second-hand car and I really want to thank God for His blessings. I have always wondered why God didn't bless me with a car before this as I have often said that I needed one to ferry people around. God is always smarter than us as He knew that at that time I wouldn't have had the money to get a car. And even if I did get a car, I wouldn't have enough cash to maintain it. It was then when I realized my motive and desire – maybe it was just my dream or maybe just to show it to others. God's timing is always the best. I am blessed that He made me wait until now."
Ps. Che Chung
Youth Alpha Night
~Picnic Style~
Preparing the food.
Above and below: Eating time.
Game during Youth Alpha
Personal Stories Anyone??
The most powerful story anyone can ever write about in their lives is their story of how God saved, forgave and transformed them... May I urge you, encourage you, and even nudge you if needed, to write out your own personal stories, email them to bethanymin@gmail.com and we will help you get them posted up on this blog so that many may be blessed... Your story is God's story of your life!!! Blessings
Speak Up Ye Bloggers!!
Yo bloggers of Bethany Ministries... this is our first ever BLOG page and let it be one that will remain and grow in the coming years... I realise that most people both young and old prefer reading blogs compared to web sites or even emails... May I encourage you, whether you were a part of Bethany Ministries in the past or for those of you faithfuls who still remain, to link yourselves here... Please also write out your personal testimonies sharing with us passionately as to how God ochestrated salvation in your life and post it here... the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy... Blessings
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