"Exciting and credible"

Masterton resident Ian Mcfarlane said he really only ever attended an Alpha dinner because he felt he owed it to a good friend who had asked him along. He recalls he was going through a rough patch in his life, drinking quite heavily. He half expected to doze off during Rev Gumbel's video, or at least to escape at the end of the evening and never give it another thought.

"But he got me... his beautiful use of the language, the way he explained things. I wasn't being biffed around the head or threatened; there was no denominational nonsense."

Mr Mcfarlane said he signed up for the ensuing 10 evening sessions over a 10-week period.

He recalls being deliberately provocative, even belligerent, with his questions. But they were each answered carefully, and he liked what he heard.

The worry to the newcomer is that the evening may be boring or irrelevant, or that they'll immediately be asked to make some sort of commitment. Ian Mcfarlanes says his experience is that Alpha courses are enjoyable and thought-provoking.

"Nicky Gumbel is very compelling and credible. It's fun, it's joyful."