90% of the baptisms over the last three years were people who attended an Alpha course
“The main reason we started this church was to reach people who don’t believe, don’t attend church regularly, and who don’t think God has anything to offer,” explains Janno Both. He was part of a small team from a larger Pentecostal church in Bremen, Germany, which planted Komm Church in Weyhe – a small town a short drive from Bremen.
Outstanding quality
They decided to use Alpha because of its “really outstanding quality materials”, Janno shares, and because it helps establish an outward-facing mindset that resonates with the church plant’s vision – ‘We love through personal encounters’.
“We started in 2022 with five small groups in which we did the Alpha course, with around 35 adults and 15 children,” he recalls. “Alpha helped us implement a culture that many churches struggle with in their small groups: that everyone can share their opinion openly, without judgment, and that it’s important to keep inviting people to a course or service.”
Significant growth
This culture has led to significant growth. Today, Komm Church welcomes around 100 adults and 40 children on a typical Sunday. And the impact goes far beyond attendance.
“90% of the baptisms over the last three years were people who attended an Alpha course,” Janno says. “And Alpha is the number one tool to get in close touch with people who recently joined our church. We get to know them deeply and are able to integrate them into church life.”
One of those people is Emma*. After having her second child she felt isolated and low, until someone invited her to Komm.Ladies – an event where women from inside and outside the church gather for cocktails and conversation.
“I felt really comfortable there and was later invited to a church service,” Emma shares. “That led to many more services, a small group, an Alpha course, and countless encounters and conversations with incredibly loving people.”
Her husband, initially sceptical, also became part of the church community.
“Our life isn’t perfect but I feel like we’re exactly where we’re meant to be. It took a while for me to find God, but thankfully he’s patient,” she smiles.
*Name changed to protect privacy
