A fast-growing international movement is attempting to entice the 1,900 Canadian soldiers here into Christianity and bring them back to church. Padre Barb Putman said the Tuesday evening Alpha Courses are quickly becoming popular at Camp Julien because it lets soldiers freely discuss Christianity.
"We've got a captive audience in a way here," she said.
Putman started leading the 10-week course two weeks ago and has found attendance swelling. The popularity of the course has forced her to move it from a sitting area in her office to a chapel where up to 50 soldiers can crowd in.
"It's easy and people can just come and discuss," she said.
Flyers at Camp Julien call on soldiers to join in for an evening of friendship, food and lively discussion where they'll have the opportunity to explore the meaning of life.
"The goal is to educate people about what Christianity is," she said. "If we only plant a seed then it's a good start. We all need a little motivation to explore our faith."
According to the Alpha Canada website, 300,000 Canadians have already completed the course and 185,000 courses are on-going across the country.
They're pitched as informal, friendly meetings free of pressure that start with dinner and end in the group being split to discuss religious topics.
Alpha, which began in London, England, covers the basics of Christianity in a handful of religions, including Baptist and Catholic.
The website boasts that it has had an "astounding impact on non-churchgoers."