The Lord led Jack and Anne Snavely, founders of Alpha, through many circumstances, to children's ministry.  When they were in their mid-30s, they followed God's prompting to establish a Christian home in Kansas for at-risk, needy, and homeless children in the early 1970s.  They donated 5 acres of their own Kansas farm property in the country on which to build a 7 bedroom house (Alpha House) for children in need.  They began receiving children in 1972 in that house. Later an additional 165 acres of wooded, hilly land, including some pasture land which Alpha bordered on 3 sides, was purchased for expansion.

Children are placed at Alpha due to many types of problems including past or ongoing abuse, homelessness, neglect, death in the family, delinquency, academic difficulty, behavioral problems resulting from broken or dysfunctional homes, poverty, family incarceration, substance abuse, temporary shelter needs, and etc.  The array of issues and needs that the children may have to deal with in their young lives can seem endless.  Usually Alpha will have up to ten children to love unconditionally and care for depending on the individual situations involved.

The children have been placed mostly by parents, relatives, guardians, juvenile officers, and judges.  Those in need have heard about the ministry through word of mouth, from an online search, or through churches or friends who have become informed about it.  Alpha Christian Children's Home has welcomed and nurtured over 160 children since its inception in 1972.

Living at the Alpha Christian Children’s Home represents to these children a chance to heal; correct past mistakes; experience a Christian family's love & security; learn to respect one another; share in household responsibilities as a family, learning how to do laundry, cook, mow the lawn, etc.; gain a solid education; learn how to keep one's actions, goals, and accomplishments disciplined; and learn how a life with Christ as Savior and Lord will be full of blessing and purpose.

In 1984, Alpha's board of directors saw the need to establish a school with individual-based curriculum for the children at Alpha.  A couple of years of attendance at a private school with the School of Tomorrow curriculum proved that the children, who were dealing with such a variety of problems, tended to excel and improve very well under this individual-based curriculum which is also Bible-based.  The curriculum also supported the principles of character being taught in the home, reinforcing a different way of thinking for these children who needed to see safety, support, love, learning, and a Savior in their lives. Alpha began a private school using School of Tomorrow curriculum, also known as Accelerated Christian Education. Currently Terri Schupbach is teaching in Alpha’s school.

In the mid-1980s Alpha's board began to look forward and plan for future expansion as the land purchases were paid off.  Construction on our two-story Multi-purpose Building began.  This building now contains a central pantry, storage areas, learning center facilities, the central office, a shop area for vehicle & farm equipment repair and maintenance, and a recreation facility for the children that is currently under development. 

Jack and Anne Snavely directed the ministry with the Lord's guidance from its establishment in 1972 until their retirement in 2005.  They served as parents, maintained the property, and promoted the ministry to interested churches, groups, and individuals as well.  Jack and Anne retired from parenting in 1998 due to health limitations, and from active administration in 2005 after 33 years of dedicated service at Alpha.  They continue to volunteer with the ministry as they are physically able.

Michelle Kincaid, a daughter of the Snavelys, was named Executive Director in 2005.  Mrs. Kincaid grew up at Alpha from age 2, went away for an education, and then returned in 1991 to serve daily for the Lord through the office and school areas of the ministry.  She has dedicated her life to children who have experienced great adversity in their lives, and who are in need of a structured, loving Christian home.

Jeff & Devin Mulpas joined Alpha in 2008.  Jeff Mulpas, Director of Development, is working as our liaison to interested supporting churches, businesses, groups, and individuals.  Jeff’s wife, Devin, grew up at Alpha from age 3, and is thrilled to return and work on behalf of the kids here.  She is our Volunteer Coordinator and is working alongside her husband as they travel and visit across the Midwest.  Since their arrival, an unbelievable amount of fundraising, public/church relations, and good will has taken place.

The Alpha House residence was fully renovated by over 300 volunteers in 2008 after sheltering so many children in need over its 35 year history.  This beautiful country residence offers hope to 6-10 precious little ones at a time.  Chuck & Mary Plant minister as parents in this residence.

Alpha is almost finished preparing the Hope House residence to serve as another home for children in need at Alpha.  We have just announced its opening for the Fall of 2010.  This effort will nearly double our capacity for ministering to children, increasing our total capacity to 16 children served at a time.  God has already called Ron & Penni Achamire to come minister in the Hope House as parents once this home is ready to be opened in the Fall, and now we need to focus our efforts on funding the daily needs of these additional children at Alpha.  We do need your help! 

You can become a partner with us to provide for the Hope House children (opening in the Fall) by becoming a monthly financial partner.  For example, three hundred new partners supporting with $30 per month will get this second home opened and will bring hope to children who need someone to care.  Some can give more and some less – but we know that our goal is within reach.  Your gift in support of expanded ministry will help when combined with others’ gifts to open this new place for children in 2010!  Your partnership is vital and will help reach so many little ones for Christ, instill a fruitful education in each one, and provide a structured & loving home, as well as healthful meals to a great number of young lives looking to us for help over the years to come. 

Alpha Christian Church, School, & Ranch, Inc. dba Alpha Christian Children’s Home and School is a non-profit organization under the IRS Code section 501(c)(3). The ministry does have an eight member Board of Directors, and voluntarily submits records to an independent CPA for annual audits.

Alpha Christian Children’s Home and School is located just outside of Perry, Kansas.  Alpha is 100% privately funded, and does not receive any state or federal funding for the children’s care so that Christ can remain the center of our mission. There is no fee for those we serve.  Therefore, the ministry relies on donations and volunteer labor to maintain and build on the 170 acres of property and meet the needs of the children who live here. There are two houses for children on the property and one staff house to maintain, as well as the Multi-purpose Building at this time.                                                                                                       
Donations of food and other items which one would use in the home, office, or school settings are always needed and welcome. Anyone donating items or services to Alpha receives a tax-deductible receipt for the value of the item(s) donated. Alpha is located East of Perry, Kansas, on US Hwy 24 to US Hwy 59 Junction at Williamstown; then 2 miles North on US Hwy 59 to 27th Street (gravel); then 1 mile East on 27th Street to the main Alpha Driveway (marked by a large rock sign) which is 1/4 mile long on the South side of 27th Street.