First picture on your phone of an Alpha event in 2025?

I took this photo at South Kensington station on my way to our first night of Alpha Youth at HTB where we had over 75 young people coming every week. By the end of the course, 24 of them gave their lives to Jesus!

What is the vision for youth in your country or region?

This year we want to see 100,000 youth experience Alpha across the UK. Also, we want to see every one of those youth experience Jesus through Alpha. We want to gather and equip youth pastors, workers, and volunteers to help them build healthy youth ministries where young people can grow their faith in Jesus within a safe and supportive environment.

Highlight of 2025 so far?

Our vision for 2025 was to see 3,000 Alpha Youth courses running across the UK. As of the end of March, we’ve already reached 2,165 courses – making this our biggest year yet. We’re well on track to hitting our goal soon.

From these 2,165 courses, an estimated 45,000 young people have explored faith through Alpha, with 120 courses taking place in schools. In one of these schools, an incredible 61 students made the life-changing decision to follow Jesus during an Alpha Youth Day.

What excites you about 2025?

Summer is fast approaching and, as the Youth UK team, we are gearing up for an exciting season. We’ll be at 15 different Christian festivals, equipping and training youth pastors and young people to run Alpha Youth in their context. I’ve also had the privilege of working with an incredible group of school workers to develop the Alpha Youth in Schools Guide, launching this June. Our goal is to make running Alpha Youth in schools as simple and accessible as possible, so more young people can explore faith in a space that’s familiar to them.

Current favourite Alpha product?

It has to be the Alpha Youth Series!

What’s Next?

I’m deeply involved in this year’s Leadership Conference, and my focus is now shifting to ensuring that the 18 strategic youth pastors I’m hosting have everything they need for an incredible experience at LC. I’ll also be hosting the Rising Generation Gathering the day after LC, followed by a three-day retreat with the Alpha Youth Global Team and Regional Leads from around the world. It’s always a highlight to gather, pray, connect, and dream together about the future of Alpha Youth.

Prayer Point

Please keep me and the AYUK team – Anna, Jack, Phoebe, Sophie, and Grace – in your prayers as we continue working hard to launch the Alpha Youth Series across the UK. Pray for every training session and speaking engagement, and for the amazing youth pastors and young people stepping out in faith to run Alpha Youth in their context.

Unlikely place you visited?

Last year, I had the incredible opportunity to visit Albania and support the EMENA team in launching the brand-new Alpha Youth Series in the Balkans. It was both a culture shock and a profound blessing to witness people living boldly for the gospel despite facing persecution and opposition. Their passion was undeniable, and they were eager to bring Alpha to their countries as soon as it is translated.

When and where were you inspired recently?

At the start of March, I visited a school in the South of England to support their Alpha Youth launch. A group of 35 Sixth Form students took the lead in planning the course, and over 110 students showed up for the very first session! It was incredible to witness young people creating space for their friends to encounter Jesus. It reminded me that you’re never too young to lead and be used by God. I’m passionate about continuing to empower and encourage more young people to step out in boldness, believing that God will work through them in amazing ways.

Take me back

Aaron Gonzalez