Senior Leaders’ Retreat

RSVP TO ALPHA ASCENT
About This Event

You are invited to the ALPHA ASCENT, two days of shared tables, conversations, and encounters with ministry peers from across the nation.  

ALPHA ASCENT will convene senior pastors from innovative, city-centered communities to explore best practices for evangelism and renewal in a post-Christian reality. Most in attendance will represent Alpha “Hub” churches, carrying stories of challenges and breakthroughs in pioneering the Alpha course in their unique communities and contexts. 

Our conversations will be anchored by thought leaders on the front lines of shaping the Church to come. Together, we will press into the invitation to risk creating “new spaces” in our churches—for the Spirit to move, for a new generation to be activated, and for those far from God to be hospitably welcomed.  

ALPHA ASCENT will be hosted at Epic Church, a national showcase for the Alpha course and culture. Epic Church is in beautiful San Francisco, California. We are excited to see what God will birth from these days of journeying together.

January 14 & 15, 2025

RSVP TO ALPHA ASCENT

What To Expect

NEW KINGDOM FRIENDSHIPS

Registration is intentionally limited for this first-time event to prioritize personal connection. One of the best gifts you will receive is the chance to learn with and from peers from a diverse spectrum of church contexts. 

SHARED DISCOVERY

Explore and process best practices of hospitable, Spirit empowered evangelism. Thoughtful presentations will lead to collaborative conversations and expectant invitations for the Spirit to move. 

REST AND RECALIBRATION

Much like the Old Testament ascents of generations ago, we trust this will allow sacred, set apart time to hear God not only for your church’s future, but for your own spiritual journey.   

ALPHA HOSPITALITY

You will be hosted in a truly remarkable city and space, with meals and moments to remember!

IMG_4004 222
IMG_4536 666
FCF-3
FCF-4
FCF-6
FCF-7
FCF-8

Tuesday January 14th

  • Location: 414 Brannan St, San Francisco, CA 94107
  • 4:00pm: Welcome Dinner

Wednesday January 15th

  • Location: 414 Brannan St, San Francisco, CA 94107
  • 9:00am-4:00pm: Sessions: Awaken Ourselves, Awaken Our Church, Awaken Our Future, Awaken the Next Generation.
  • 7:00pm: Night of Prayer at Epic Church

Thursday January 16th

RSVP TO ALPHA ASCENT

What Leaders Are Saying

Traveling to London to experience Alpha and the ministry of HTB Church was truly transformative for Stacie and me, not only as individuals but also for the way that we do ministry. Our vision was lifted to see how evangelism and the ministry of the Holy Spirit work together in powerful ways. Two big results of our time there: prayer became much more of a central focus for our church and we have seen God use Alpha to bring so many people to salvation. You will not regret prioritizing this ministry trip… London is spectacular, the people you get to meet are amazing, and the Spirit of God shows up in power!
Andy and Stacie WoodLead Pastors, Saddleback Church | Lake Forest, CA
My time in London is like looking into the future for me. I can see what is possible for kingdom movements in post-Christian contexts. Learning from HTB and Alpha in these spaces has been a powerful dose of hope as I am called to a similar mission in the States.
Keithen SchwahnYouth Pastor, Church of the City | New York, NY
My time in London increased my desire and passion to run Alpha in my local church for our community in Fullerton, California. I heard about Alpha being worldwide and during my time in London, I saw firsthand that Alpha is truly global. Sitting in a breakout session with pastors and leaders from Germany and Poland allowed me to hear how Alpha is impacting the lives of pastors and their communities in other parts of the world. I heard the same stories of lives being changed from Catholics, Presbyterians, and Protestants.
Sheridan McDanielLead Pastor, A Place for Worship Church | Fullerton, CA
It was a wonderful experience; I would dare say life changing. To be able to experience the move of God during our times of worship and prayer as well as being filled up and encouraged with testimony and strategy was incredible. Will and I feel encouraged, recharged and excited to dream and plan how we can continue to do good work here in San Francisco. We feel most passionate about prayer and the move of the Holy Spirit as well as using Alpha as an evangelism tool in our city. Thank you!
Beatriz MorozaEpic Church | San Francisco, CA
We participated in the experience in London just over two years into leading a 125-year-old church in Pittsburgh. After visiting and learning from churches much older than our own that are at the front edge of missional engagement, we couldn't stop talking about what it could look like to put some of that into practice back home. We left energized and inspired for what God could do through our own church!
Austin GohnLead Pastor, Bellevue Christian Church | Pittsburgh, PA
I loved it. In general, I walked away with a ministry perspective on how the Spirit is working through the church to engage with secular culture that both promotes holiness and incarnation. I loved the commitment to prayer, creativity, and hospitality as core tenets of engagement. I also walked away with a deep hunger for awakening and revival movements that act as the river for these outworking ministry tributaries. I realized how central the move of the Spirit in those atmospheres was to what is still being poured out all over the Earth.
Grant CollinsLead Pastor, Fountain City Church |Columbus, GA
Going on a trip with Alpha was the most beneficial thing I did that year for growth - personally and for our church. To rub shoulders with like-minded church leaders while learning from those on the frontier was tremendously impactful. You won’t regret going.
John AlexanderExecutive Director of Creative Arts, Eagle Brook Church | Twin Cities, MN
I’ve been to London twice with Alpha, and the perspective of what God is doing in other parts of the world, the lifelong connection and collaboration with other Pastors and the resourcing of our community with a turn key solution to lifestyle evangelism is priceless! I highly recommend this game-changing trip, which has served as a GOD given gateway to so much more!
Reward SibandaAssociate Pastor, Upper Room | Dallas, TX
My trip to London was deeply transformative for me. I was prayed for and over multiple times and God really met me in a special way. Learning about HTB, Alpha and their ministry in London also helped and inspired me as I lead in a major US city too. So grateful for the experience!
Rob HallLead Pastor, New North Church | San Francisco, CA
God is doing something in the UK! In the midst of a deeply post-Christian culture, signs of new life are springing forth as a harbinger of things to come. If you are eager to explore what the future of the church could be, I can’t recommend this experience highly enough.
Justin JohnsonLead Pastor, One Church | Orlando, FL
RSVP TO THE STRATEGIC LEADERS GATHERING

FAQ

This is an invite-only event for Strategic Church Senior Leaders.

Epic Church in San Francisco
Location: 414 Brannan St, San Francisco, CA 94107

There is no cost to attend Alpha Ascent Main Sessions and lunch is included.

Guests will be responsible for: their hotel, flights, and additional meals outside of the scheduled program.

Hyatt Place San Francisco / Downtown

Hotel VIA

The Clancy, Autograph Collection

W San Francisco

Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown Soma

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

Dress is casual for the duration of our gathering.

Ana Leblanc

analeblanc@alphausa.org

PLEASE NOTE

Alpha Ascent Has Been Postponed/Canceled

Please check back for updates.

Skip to content