The Alpha Course phenomenon is popping up in Palm Beach County as an evangelism tool for churches and Christian ministries.

Today, more than 33,000 Alpha Courses are running in 163 countries, and more than 13 million people worldwide have participated in the program, according to the Web site alpha.org.

Training conferences for churches interested in presenting the Alpha program will be held for the first time in Oklahoma in August.

Springfield - Alpha course returns on Thursdays starting Aug. 21 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at The Bishop Marshall Center at St. Michael's Cathedral, Elliot Street. Each "Alpha" session consists of a ...