Bishop William Joensen and co-host Jean Thill welcome Alexis and Elik Mattis, young married members of Saint Boniface Parish's Alpha Advocates in Waukee, for a conversation on faith, marriage, and Gen Z evangelization. Elik shares how the Alpha course led him from no religious background into full communion with the Catholic Church, while Alexis reflects on returning to her cradle Catholic roots as an adult. The couple also recaps their trip to the international Alpha Leadership Conference in London, where they witnessed a wave of young adults across denominations growing closer to Jesus and the Holy Spirit. A cross-country love story: Iowa roots, a Smoky Mountains road trip, and a first date in Bloomington, Indiana How Alpha led Elik from no faith background into the Catholic Church What the Alpha course is and why it resonates with Catholics and non-Catholics alike Highlights from the Alpha Leadership Conference in London Why Gen Z is quietly driving a revival of faith in the Church
Segment 1: Bishop's Opening Reflections & Diocesan Calendar
Bishop Joensen opens with reflections on the Feast of St. Benedict and shares news from around the diocese:
Segment 2: Meet Alexis & Elik — Iowa Roots
Both Alexis and Elik are native Iowans. Alexis grew up in Bettendorf (Quad Cities) and studied software engineering at Iowa State University before moving to North Carolina after graduation. Elik grew up in Johnston, joined the Air National Guard as a junior in high school, and now works in Command and Control Battle Management Operations in Des Moines, helping train fellow airmen.
Segment 3: A Cross-Country Love Story
The two reconnected through mutual friends after Alexis had already moved out of state, then spent a week together on a spring break trip to the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. For their first official date, they each drove nine hours to meet halfway — in Bloomington, Indiana.
Segment 4: Elik's Conversion & Finding a Home Parish
After getting engaged, Elik decided to become Catholic and began talking with Father Chinna Devaraj, pastor of Saint Boniface Parish. That same night, Father Chinna invited him to an Alpha course already in session — and Elik says that's where he truly fell in love with the faith. The couple describes church-shopping around the West Des Moines/Grimes/Urbandale area before settling at Saint Boniface Parish in Waukee, drawn by its young families and lively music ministry.
Segment 5: What Is Alpha?
Alexis and Elik describe Alpha as a "beginner's course" in Christianity open to anyone — Catholic, non-Catholic, lifelong believer, or newcomer. At Saint Boniface, the program culminates in an Alpha Day Away, a one-day retreat (9:00 AM–4:00 PM) focused on prayer, community, and the Holy Spirit.
Segment 6: The Alpha Leadership Conference in London
Father Chinna invited the couple to represent Saint Boniface at the international Alpha Leadership Conference in London — an ecumenical gathering with roots in the Anglican Alpha movement founded by Nicky and Pippa Gumbel. There, they reconnected with Alpha's international leadership team, including Rick and Jason, who had previously visited Saint Boniface for an Alpha Day Away. The couple reflects on what they learned about Gen Z's growing role in the Church's renewal, both abroad and at home.
Learn more about Alpha at Saint Boniface Parish at stbonifacechurch.org/alpha
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Making It Personal with Bishop William Joensen airs weekly on Iowa Catholic Radio and the Spirit Catholic Radio Network. Learn more at IowaCatholicRadio.com
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