✦ Today's Focus
Day 1 — Understand Alpha and HTB
Learn the purpose, format and wider network.
PRACTICAL TRAINING + INTERVIEW PREPARATION
Welcome to Your 14-Day Preparation Programme
Be informed. Be prepared. Make an impact.
This interactive learning space helps you understand the role, practise essential skills and prepare to speak confidently about your experience. Follow the daily plan, complete the tasks and save evidence of what you learn.
It covers Alpha and HTB, church engagement, Salesforce/CRM, GDPR, reporting, teamwork and UK prison ministry.
✝
Learn • Practise • Reflect • Prepare
Small steps, taken consistently, build confidence.
Two weeks. One clear plan.
14-Day Learning Timeline
▣ Practical Skills
Build evidence as you learn
- Prepare a short presentation.
- Build a sample church-contact tracker.
- Write a GDPR checklist.
- Draft a partnership plan.
- Practise interview answers.
✧ Interview Ready?
Show understanding and honesty
- Know the organisation and role.
- Use real examples from your experience.
- Explain how you learn new systems.
- Identify training you would need.
Important: This programme builds foundational knowledge in 14 days; it does not replace supervised experience, formal training, safeguarding checks, prison authorisation or employer-specific Salesforce training. Be honest about what you have and have not done.
Role Overview: What Is the Job Asking You to Do?
✝ Ministry & Mission
Understand Alpha, HTB and the needs of churches and ministry leaders. Help people access relevant resources, training and support.
🤝 Relationships
Build trust, listen carefully, communicate clearly, organise meetings and maintain thoughtful follow-up with a range of people.
▣ Operations & Data
Maintain reliable CRM records, report progress, protect personal information and coordinate work across a team.
How to explain your understanding
“I understand this role as a bridge between a ministry network and the churches or prison-focused partners it serves. It combines relationship-building and training with organised follow-up, accurate information management and a careful understanding of safeguarding and prison procedures.”
Your task: Write a 60-second version in your own words in the Learning Notes section.
Key Responsibilities
- Help churches understand and run Alpha well, using official guidance and approved resources.
- Train, encourage and support church and ministry leaders.
- Build and maintain partnerships, record conversations and follow up agreed actions.
- Use a CRM to keep contact, activity and outcome information accurate.
- Produce useful reports and manage data in line with GDPR and organisational policy.
- Understand prison chaplaincy and work respectfully within each prison's rules.
- Plan travel, events and meetings, including occasional evenings or weekends.
Questions to ask the employer
- What training is provided for Alpha and Salesforce?
- Which churches, regions or prison partnerships would I support?
- What does success look like after 30, 60 and 90 days?
- What safeguarding, security and prison-access training is required?
- Which reports and CRM fields are most important to the team?
What Success Looks Like
| Area | Evidence of good practice |
|---|---|
| Relationships | Leaders feel heard; actions and next steps are clear. |
| Training | Sessions are clear, practical, inclusive and well prepared. |
| CRM | Records are accurate, timely, relevant and secure. |
| Reporting | Reports summarise activity, outcomes, risks and next steps. |
| Prison partnerships | Work respects chaplaincy priorities, security, boundaries and safeguarding. |
Official Alpha Overview
What is Alpha? Alpha is a series of sessions that creates a welcoming space for people to explore questions about life, faith and Jesus. Guests are encouraged to share their views, ask questions and take part in conversation without pressure. The exact format can vary by church or setting, so always check the latest official Alpha guidance.
1. Hospitality
Welcome guests warmly, help people feel comfortable and make time for informal connection. Food or refreshments may be part of the session, depending on the local format.
2. Talk or video
Introduce a question or theme about life and Christian faith through an Alpha talk or video using the approved resources for that course.
3. Conversation
Give people room to discuss the topic, express doubts and ask honest questions. Listen respectfully and do not force agreement or a particular response.
What a support role can do
- Help churches find official course information and training.
- Encourage hosts and volunteers to prepare well.
- Support clear communication and practical planning.
- Agree follow-up actions and use approved systems for records.
Official Alpha resources
Use these official Alpha UK pages for the current overview and training information. Links open in a new browser tab.
Interview practice: In your own words, explain what Alpha is and describe its three main elements: hospitality, a talk or video, and conversation. Then explain how you would help a church access official resources without making assumptions about its needs.
This is a training summary, not a replacement for official Alpha materials. Confirm current details and local arrangements with Alpha UK and the relevant course team.
Alpha Course Guide
Alpha is a Christian introduction course designed to give people space to explore life, faith and Jesus, ask questions and discuss ideas without pressure. Course details can vary by context; use the official current resources and the local host's guidance.
A typical Alpha rhythm
- Welcome and hospitality.
- Food or informal connection where appropriate.
- Video or talk introducing a theme.
- Small-group discussion and questions.
- Follow-up and invitation to the next session.
What a coordinator supports
- Host and team preparation.
- Clear invitations and guest communication.
- Volunteer roles and briefing.
- Accessible, respectful discussion.
- Feedback, next steps and appropriate records.
Helpful principles
- Listen before giving advice.
- Make room for honest questions and differing starting points.
- Do not pressure people to disclose personal information or make a decision.
- Use current Alpha materials and respect copyright and licensing.
- Follow the organisation's safeguarding and data policies.
Official Alpha UK — About Alpha ↗ · Alpha training resources ↗
Practice: Give a two-minute explanation of Alpha to a church leader. Mention purpose, session flow, the value of discussion and how you would support a local team.
HTB Network: What to Know
HTB (Holy Trinity Brompton) is a London church associated with Alpha's development and a wider church network. For a role, understand the connection without assuming every church has the same structure or approach.
Research checklist
Alpha Practice Exercise
Scenario: A church leader is interested in Alpha but worries that their volunteers are too busy and their congregation is small.
Suggested response framework
- Listen: ask what the leader hopes to achieve and what capacity they have.
- Explore: discuss possible audience, timing, team roles and local needs.
- Support: point to official training and resources; agree what help is appropriate.
- Agree next steps: one action, one owner and one follow-up date.
Write your answer:
Communication, Presentation & Relationship-Building
A simple meeting structure
- Prepare: know the purpose and read previous notes.
- Connect: introduce yourself and build rapport.
- Listen: ask open questions and clarify needs.
- Explain: use plain language and check understanding.
- Agree: confirm actions, owners and dates.
- Follow up: send a concise summary promptly.
Presentation structure
- Purpose: why this matters.
- Context: what the audience needs to know.
- Three key points, not ten.
- Practical example or short activity.
- Questions and next steps.
Speak clearly, use readable slides, invite questions and avoid jargon.
Practice exercise
Prepare a five-minute talk titled “How I would help a church explore running Alpha”. Record yourself or present to a friend. Ask for feedback on clarity, warmth, timing and whether the next steps were clear.
Salesforce & CRM Fundamentals
A CRM (Customer Relationship Management system) helps an organisation maintain a shared, structured record of relationships and follow-up. In a ministry setting, the relevant records may be churches, leaders, meetings, training sessions, tasks and outcomes.
Core concepts
- Account: an organisation, such as a church or ministry.
- Contact: an individual associated with an organisation.
- Activity: a meeting, call, email or task.
- Task: an action assigned to someone with a due date.
- Report: a structured summary of selected records.
- Dashboard: visual summaries of key measures.
Practice data workflow
- Create a fictional church account.
- Add a fictional contact using dummy details only.
- Record a sample conversation.
- Create a follow-up task with a date.
- Update the status after the action.
- Summarise activity by status or date.
Use a training/sandbox environment. Never enter real personal data into an unauthorised practice file.
Sample church-contact tracker
| Church / Account | Contact role | Last contact | Next action | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sample Community Church | Ministry lead | Introductory call | Send Alpha overview | Follow-up needed |
| Example Parish | Vicar | Training enquiry | Arrange a meeting | In progress |
These are fictional examples. Replace only with authorised information when working in an approved system.
Salesforce Trailhead — free learning ↗
Interview tip: If you are new to Salesforce, say so clearly. Explain the CRM concepts you understand and how you would learn the organisation's processes. Do not claim professional Salesforce experience if you do not have it.
GDPR, Data Management & Reporting
Personal data must be handled lawfully, fairly, securely and only for clear purposes. Follow the employer's privacy notice, retention schedule, access controls and incident-reporting process. The checklist below is a learning aid, not legal advice.
Practical data-protection checklist
What a useful weekly report contains
- Reporting period and owner.
- Activities completed: meetings, calls, training and events.
- Outcomes and progress against agreed goals.
- Risks, barriers or support needed.
- Next steps, owners and due dates.
IT, Planning & Teamwork
Plan
Break goals into tasks, set realistic deadlines, maintain a calendar and flag conflicts early.
Communicate
Use clear emails, shared documents and online meetings. Record decisions and action owners.
Collaborate
Share useful updates, ask for help early, respect colleagues' roles and take responsibility for your tasks.
Daily working rhythm
- Start: review calendar and three priority tasks.
- During the day: record decisions and next actions while they are fresh.
- End: update the CRM, close completed tasks and flag blockers.
- Weekly: review progress, prepare a short report and plan the next week.
UK Prison System: Foundation
In England and Wales, His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is responsible for public prison and probation services; the prison system also includes other operators and arrangements. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate prison services. Confirm which jurisdiction the role covers.
People and roles
- Prison governor / senior leaders: responsible for the establishment and its operation.
- Chaplaincy team: supports religious and pastoral needs within prison rules.
- Prison staff: maintain safety, security and daily operations.
- Approved external partners: may support faith activities, resettlement and practical support under agreed procedures.
What external partners must understand
- Access and vetting requirements.
- Local rules, security instructions and permitted items.
- Safeguarding, confidentiality and professional boundaries.
- Who to contact and how to report concerns.
- That prison approval and chaplaincy agreement are required before activities begin.
Boundary: Never promise prison access, introduce unapproved activities, carry prohibited items or collect/share information outside approved procedures. Follow the establishment's current rules and safeguarding guidance.
Working with Prison Chaplains
A respectful partnership approach
- Listen first: ask the chaplain about priorities, current provision and gaps.
- Understand context: learn the prison's procedures, timetable, security and faith-access arrangements.
- Offer relevant support: describe what your organisation can realistically provide without overstating capacity.
- Agree responsibilities: define who approves, delivers, supervises and evaluates each activity.
- Review: seek feedback and agree next steps through the authorised contact.
Sample introductory questions
- What are the current chaplaincy priorities?
- What process should an external ministry follow to explore partnership?
- What training, vetting and safeguarding requirements apply?
- How do you prefer partners to communicate and report outcomes?
Safeguarding, Confidentiality & Boundaries
In a real situation, follow the employer's policy and the relevant prison's instructions. This page is an introduction, not a substitute for formal safeguarding training.
Interview Preparation Guide
Use a structure that answers the question directly, gives evidence and links back to the role. Prepare examples from real work, volunteering, church activity, education or other responsibilities.
A strong answer in four steps
- Answer: respond to the question in one clear sentence.
- Evidence: give a real example and explain your own contribution.
- Result: describe what changed or what you learned.
- Relevance: connect the learning to this role.
Before the interview
Suggested questions for the employer
- What would be the most important priorities in the first three months?
- What Alpha, CRM and prison-ministry training is available?
- How does the team measure impact and maintain partner relationships?
- How much travel and evening/weekend work is typical?
Interview Question Bank
Practise aloud. Keep most answers to 1–2 minutes and use genuine examples.
1. Why are you interested in this role?
Connect your motivation to the role's actual responsibilities. Explain what you can contribute and what you want to learn.
2. What do you understand about Alpha?
Explain that it creates space to explore Christian faith, ask questions and discuss a talk in a group. Mention hospitality, team preparation, respectful conversation and follow-up.
3. How would you build relationships with church leaders?
Discuss listening, reliability, clear communication, understanding each church's context, agreed actions and consistent follow-up.
4. What experience do you have with Salesforce or CRM?
State your actual level. Explain relevant transferable skills, what you have practised and how you would learn the employer's data model and procedures.
5. How would you protect personal data?
Explain using approved systems, limiting collection and access, maintaining accuracy, following retention rules and reporting concerns promptly.
6. What do you know about prison chaplaincy?
Explain the importance of the chaplaincy team, prison procedures, security, safeguarding, boundaries and approved partnership working. Avoid claiming direct experience if you do not have it.
7. Tell us about a time you managed several priorities.
Use STAR: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Describe how you prioritised, communicated risks and followed through.
8. What would you do if you did not know the answer?
Be transparent, clarify the question, consult the right policy or colleague, verify the information and follow up by an agreed time.
Presentation Practice
Suggested 5-minute presentation: “How I would help churches explore and deliver Alpha while building strong relationships.”
- Opening (30 seconds): purpose and audience.
- Understanding (60 seconds): what Alpha is and what a church may need.
- Approach (90 seconds): listen, plan, equip, support and follow up.
- Practical example (60 seconds): sample church with a small volunteer team.
- Measurement (30 seconds): agreed actions, feedback and useful records.
- Close (30 seconds): next step and invitation for questions.
Rehearsal checklist
STAR Examples Builder
Use real examples only. You can draw from paid work, volunteering, church activities, education or community responsibilities.
Prepare at least three examples: building a relationship, organising a task/event, and handling sensitive information or a difficult situation.
Resource Library
Use official sources for current information. External links open in a new tab.
Alpha & HTB
CRM & GDPR
UK Prison System
This training page is a study aid. Check the role description, employer policies and official current guidance for requirements specific to the job.
Templates & Sample Reports
A. Church contact follow-up email
Subject: Follow-up and agreed next steps
Hello [Name],
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me about your church's plans and questions around Alpha. It was helpful to understand your priorities and the support that may be useful.
As agreed, the next steps are:
- [Action] — [Owner] — [Date]
- [Action] — [Owner] — [Date]
Please let me know if I have missed anything. I look forward to staying in touch.
Kind regards,
[Your name]
B. Weekly activity report builder
C. Meeting notes
Checklist Library
Before a church meeting
Before a training session
Knowledge Check
Choose one answer for each question, then select “Mark my answers”. This is for practice, not a formal qualification.
Weekly Report Builder
Use the fields in Templates & Sample Reports to create a concise report. Focus on activity, outcomes, risks and next steps; avoid unnecessary personal or sensitive information.
Learning Notes
Use this area to record your reflections. Notes are saved in this browser on this device.
My 14-Day Progress Tracker
Tick tasks as you complete them. Your progress is stored locally in this browser. It is not sent to omneGospel or any server.
0 of 14 days completed
0% complete
Final goal: finish with a practical portfolio: an Alpha overview, training presentation, sample CRM tracker, GDPR checklist, prison-ministry partnership outline, weekly report and interview answers based on real examples.