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Chi Alpha

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(Redirected from Chi Alpha Campus Ministries)
Not to be confused with Chi Alpha Omega, Lambda Chi Alpha, Chi Alpha Delta, or Chi Omega.

Chi Alpha
ΧΑ
Founded1953; 71 years ago (1953)
Missouri State University
(fmr. Southwest Missouri State College)
TypeChristian
AffiliationAssemblies of God USA
StatusActive
EmphasisPentecostalism
ScopeInternational
PillarsCommunity, Creativity, Diversity, Excellence, Integrity, Servant-Leadership, and Evangelism
Colors  Black,   White,   Gray and   Red
SymbolChristogram
Flag
PhilanthropyConvoy of Hope
Chapters275
NicknameChrist's Ambassadors[1]
Headquarters1445 N. Boonville Ave
Springfield, Missouri 65802
United States
Websitechialpha.com

Chi Alpha | ΧΑ (sometimes XA, χα, xa, or SfC - Students for Christ,[2] officially known as Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship), is an international and interdenominational, coeducational Christian fellowship founded in 1953 on the campus of Missouri State University (then known as Southwest Missouri State College) in Springfield, Missouri. Chi Alpha is sponsored by the Assemblies of God USA,[3] a Pentecostal denomination established in 1914.[4][5]

Statement of Faith

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Chi Alpha is sponsored by the AG and therefore adheres to the denomination's Statement of 16 Fundamental Truths.[6]

Mission, Purpose, Vision Statement

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Chi Alpha is a Holy Spirit-empowered, diverse community of Christians on university campuses, declaring in word and lifestyle faith in Jesus Christ, equipped to fulfill purpose in God's global plan.[7] Chi Alpha reconciles students to Jesus Christ, equipping them through Spirit-filled communities of prayer, worship, fellowship, discipleship, and mission to transform the university, the marketplace, and the world.[8] The organization describes its core values or pillars as community, creativity, diversity, excellence, integrity, servant-leadership, and evangelism. Its self-described five-fold approach is prayer, worship, fellowship, discipleship, and mission.[9] One of the group's philanthropic and service organization affiliation is the Convoy of Hope. With its campus ministries and fellowships, Chi Alpha operates a missionary internship program through the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, requiring doctrinal assent.[10][11][12]

Etymology

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The name Chi Alpha was inspired by the contemporary Assemblies of God youth movement, Christ's Ambassadors (a phrase in 2 Corinthians 5:20). The initials "CA" were changed to the Greek alphabet initials "ΧΑ" (and its Latin Script's stylized equivalent of "XA") in order to resemble the names of other college organizations, in particular Greek-letter fraternities and sororities.

History

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Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship originates from within Assemblies of God USA as a ministry to collegians in 1947 at the urging of J. Robert Ashcroft (father of John Ashcroft), consisting of a newsletter sent to college students to encourage them in their faith.

After Ashcroft's newsletter publications, it soon became apparent that a newsletter by itself was inadequate, and so in 1953 Dr. J. Calvin Holsinger[13] chartered the first Assemblies of God student group at Missouri State University (formerly Southwest Missouri State University) in Springfield, Missouri where the Assemblies of God US headquarters is located.[14][15]

Holsinger, as editor of Campus Ambassador Magazine in 1954 wrote, “College provides a setting where you can encourage and strengthen qualities of idealism, faith, and spiritual hunger in interaction with other campus Christians.” [15] The AG Executive Presbytery granted permission to engage a full-time Chi Alpha representative in 1963. The movement quickly spread to other campuses. For example, the first Chi Alpha to own property was the UC Berkeley chapter, which purchased a house next to campus in 1964.

At the 1977 Chi Alpha Campus Ministers Conference, chairman C. David Gable met with six other personnel, who collectively became known as the San Antonio Seven[16] to develop an approach to local campus ministry. Subsequently, a document approved by the AG Executive Presbytery established a concise set of ministry principles centered on a fourfold philosophy of worship, fellowship, discipleship, and witness, adapted from Acts 2:42-47. Gable explained, “Our goals are more than evangelism; they include stabilizing, maturing, and drawing out the dynamics of the body of Christ.”[17]

In 1979, Dennis Gaylor became national director of Chi Alpha, and served until April 2013, making him the longest-tenured leader of the organization.[18] In a significant move in 1986, Chi Alpha switched from being under the purview of the AG's Youth Department to a division of AG U.S. Missions.[19] The change recognized Chi Alpha as missions and the university campus as a mission field. Chi Alpha evolved from a loosely knit disparate band of campus workers scattered across the nation in the 1980s to a solid group of trained and qualified missionaries in the 1990s.[20]

At the dawn of the 21st century, Charles Hackett, then executive director for AG U.S. Missions, delineated five reasons[21] why Chi Alpha had a major role on secular campuses to bring students to Christ: competent leadership, detailed strategy based on success, in-depth training, adequate finances, and dependence on the supernatural.[22]

In 2014, E. Scott Martin succeeded Gaylor as leader.[23] In 2018, AG General Superintendent Doug Clay [24] stated that Chi Alpha “is helping the Assemblies of God advance the mission of God around the world.”[25]

Following Martin's resignation in November 2023,[26] Severin Lwali became “transitional stakeholder” of the organization.[27] Lwali, a native of Kenya, remains the director of Chi Alpha International.

Organizational Structure

[edit]

In the early years of Chi Alpha, the local campus minister position didn't exist. By 1971, however, 15 Chi Alpha district representatives and directors had been hired. In time, districts began to appoint Chi Alpha directors to work directly with local campus pastors to establish Chi Alpha groups. District Chi Alpha leadership provides primary oversight for local Chi Alpha campus personnel.[28] Chi Alpha staff raise their own financial support to work as missionaries.

The Chi Alpha staff in Springfield, Missouri, has grown over time. For the first 27 years of existence, the group had only one national director and one secretary as staff. Now, more than three dozen personnel[29] work from the Springfield base. In addition, there are eight area directors[30] and 45 leaders in AG districts.[31]

Notable Gatherings

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In 1976, a graduate-level staff training course called the Institute of Campus Ministry (ICM) convened for the first time. The event took place at the Assemblies of God Graduate School (now Assemblies of God Theological Seminary[32]) and served as a class in practical theology. In 2000, ICM rebranded as Reach the University[33] as a training venue for new and potential campus ministries. By 2018, a total of 238 students attended the annual event.[34]

Since 1972, Student Awakening Leadership Training (SALT)[35] conferences have been held annually. These are opportunities for students from around the country to gather together. The first world SALT took place in 2000, with more than 2,000 attending, representing 249 campuses. Overall, attendance at SALTs since its inception has exceeded 100,000.

In 2010, a group of 17 national campus leaders met in Illinois, including representatives from Chi Alpha, Cru, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Baptist Collegiate Ministry to agree on a document of principles called the Chicago Agreement to show unity in mission. Follow-up meetings among campus ministries have continued as a means to demonstrate unity.[36]

Quadrennial National Campus Missions Conferences (CMC) began in 1977 and continue to be held. These meetings are a time for Chi Alpha staff leaders to spend several days together in worship, inspiration, fellowship, and training. The next CMC will be in 2026.[37]

CMIT

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In 1977, Brady Bobbink[38] started a yearlong internship program at Western Washington University. Bobbink's internship curricula and training model became the model for subsequent Campus Missionary-in-Training (CMIT)[39] programs. Annie Dillard wrote a widely reprinted essay—"Singing with the Fundamentalists"[40]—about her experiences singing with a group of students from the Chi Alpha chapter at Western Washington University (a chapter which operated under the local name of Campus Christian Fellowship).

CMIT is a 9 or 10-month internship in campus ministry.

International Ministry

[edit]

Chi Alpha began its development internationally in the 1970s, establishing chapters in Europe under the name Students for Christ,[41] and also into Latin America under various names.

In the U.S., the recognition of the need for ministry to international students began as early as 1950. However, the AG had no concerted effort to reach foreign students coming to American campuses until 1980. During that decade, the Chi Alpha International Student Friendship Ministry formed with the concept of “making friends for God” based on 2 Corinthians 5:20. ISFM emphasized friendship building as the method to engage foreign students. An ISFM network formed in 1987 to identify personnel working with internationals from church staff, campus ministry staff, district missionaries, and lay leader volunteers.[42]

Chi Alpha has implemented an annual All Nations Conference, designed to equip international students for a lifetime of faith in God. The training likewise encourages relationships with Christian friends to prepare for an ultimate return to their home countries as strong Christians.

Missions Movement

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Periodic World Missions Summit gatherings [43] starting in 2005 have engaged students in missions by offering training and short-term mission trips under the motto “every student goes, gives, prays, and welcomes.” The four events thus far have mobilized students to participate in missions globally and stateside in a partnership between Chi Alpha and AG World Missions. More than 17,000 students, staff, and missionaries have attended the summits, with nearly one fourth of the students agreeing to “give a year” to missions.[citation needed]

Chapters

[edit]

Chi Alpha within the United States has a large presence throughout the South and Midwest.[44][45] Globally, its second-largest presence is in Europe, within some predominantly and historically Catholic and Eastern Orthodox countries of Western, Central, and Mediterranean Europe.[46] At the beginning of the 21st century, there have been Chi Alpha ministries and fellowships on over 310 campuses throughout the United States as of 2010.[47] As of 2022, Chi Alpha had a presence at 275 campuses throughout the United States.[48]

Racial Reconciliation

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The first African American Leadership Conference occurred in 2011 in Indianapolis.[49] In planning events to minister to ethnic minorities, a diversity task group involves indigenous leadership, culturally specific ministry, and relevant speakers.[50]

In recent years, Chi Alpha has been intentional about recruiting more minority leaders,[51] increasing ethnic minority staff,[52] and establishing chapters at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.[53]

Philanthropy

[edit]

Increasingly, Chi Alpha has been involved in philanthropic endeavors. Hal Donaldson,[54] founder and CEO of Convoy of Hope, shared a vision with Chi Alpha to start feedOne,[55] a relief organization focused on alleviating world hunger, especially among children.[56] Donaldson envisioned the primary facilitators of the organization as university students. A Chi Alpha partnership with feedOne was launched in 2012. Tom Trask II and his wife, Missy, served as college coordinators for feedOne starting in 2018.[57]

Controversies

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Since the beginning of the 21st century, Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship's campus ministries have fluctuated from 310 locations in 2010,[citation needed] to 350 in 2019,[58] and 272 in 2024.[59] The organization and its leadership have also been subjected to controversies involving the LGBT community,[60][61] and sexual and psychological abuse with former members alleging "cult-like" personalities.[62][58] In May 2023, Christianity Today and other outlets reported a registered sex offender was knowingly allowed to continued ministering to Chi Alpha students for more than 30 years.[63][64] Since these reports, a website has been launched and dedicated against abuses within Chi Alpha and Assemblies of God.[65]

Throughout the organization's history, it has been involved in some controversies involving the LGBT community, sexual and psychological abuse, and religious abuse.[60][62][66] For instance, Chi Alpha chapters at Georgetown University and the University of New Hampshire were highlighted in a 2003 article in The New York Times entitled "Of Bart and Homer, and the Many Ways of Faith"—an article about their use of The Simpsons as a Bible study tool.[67] Additionally, in the 2014–2015 school year, Chi Alpha at CSU Stanislaus was removed from campus because they required that their leaders be Christians. The case gained national attention through conservative news channel Fox News.[68][69][70] The chapter was eventually reinstated after a year-long dispute between Chi Alpha and the campus.[71]

In 2019, Chi Alpha's Winona State University fellowship was highlighted by former members for allegations of students following "cult-like" personalities. Its campus leader was accused of favoritism and shaming student party-goers and drinkers; additional allegations included mishandling sexual abuse and psychological abuse.[66] In 2020, a student from the University of Virginia alleged discrimination after coming out and being forced to step down.[72] A year later, from 2021 to 2022, the fellowship was highlighted for leadership's accusations of discrimination against the LGBT community, students having premarital sex, and students who consume alcohol.[73][61][74][75]

Sexual abuse

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In July 2022, a pastor working for Chi Alpha was arrested for "continuous sexual abuse of a child," pleading innocence.[62][76][77]

In May 2023, Christianity Today and other outlets reported the platforming of registered sexual offender, Daniel Savala, for more than 30 years by a few Chi Alpha leaders in Texas.[63][64][78] Following, according to a Dallas, Texas-based law firm, demands have been made to limit the activity of Chi Alpha on multiple college and university campuses.[79] A website was also published, dedicated against abuses within Chi Alpha and the Assemblies of God.[65] On 21 May 2023, board members and elders of a North Texas Assemblies of God church dismissed a pastor of the Texas A&M Chi Alpha chapter and Mountain Valley Fellowship linked to the sex abuse scandal.[80] On 25 May 2023, a Chi Alpha campus minister for Baylor University was arrested on child sex abuse charges.[81] At the Baylor ministry, the campus chapter has opposed the university allowing an organization for LGBT students. The Baylor chapter was suspended during the sex abuse scandal.[82][83][84]

In June 2023, Savala was arrested;[85][86][87][88] according to The Christian Post, the Assemblies of God USA noted that Savala was never on staff with Chi Alpha and took steps to sever ties as they learned of his sex offender status. Whistleblowers reportedly disputed the claims.[89] Following Savala's arrest in June, an Alaskan minister linked to Chi Alpha was charged with sexual abuse.[90]

In August 2023, Assemblies of God pastors from Texas and Louisiana called for the resignation of the denomination's leaders over the Savala scandal.[91] A pastor from Orange, Texas criticized his denomination's general superintendent, Doug E. Clay, and alleging minimization of the abuse Savala has been accused of. In response to this scandal, Clay stated that "Along the spectrum of ministry lines, there are times when there are hiccups, there are times when there are shortcomings, there are times when there are failures. But the failures of some individuals never trumps the strength and purpose and vitality of the particular ministry.” [92] But Orange, Texas-pastor Armstrong responded, "Hundreds of victims of sexual abuse is not a spot on a spectrum."[93]

In October 2023, a 1989 article from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette yearbook referred to Savala as a “Chi Alpha staff member, alongside campus minister Eric Treuil, and world traveled missionary,” but Assemblies of God officials said in a statement that was a “captioning error,” and that Savala did not hold credentials with Assemblies of God and never served as an official Chi Alpha staff member.[94] Treuil reestablished the local Chi Alpha chapter for the university in 1987, and since 1994, has led the Cajuns 4 Christ athletic outreach program.[95]

Prior, in 2012, former Louisiana Ragin' Cajun football players were arrested for sexual assault allegations. Following, some members of the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns sought baptism through Chi Alpha and Treuil responded:[96]

I believe it played a bit into it, from the angle of the reality that anybody can get into trouble—easily. And less you make some choices and decisions, it’s easy for anybody to mess up. I do think it played a part. They stepped over and decided to make some good, strong decisions. It’s saying, ‘Hey, I’m telling everybody I’m living out the Christian life. Now, they’ve put themselves out there for some accountability.

In November 2023, national director Scott Martin resigned and the Assemblies of God withheld comment from The Christian Post, referencing its statement on the Savala scandal.[26][97]

In January 2024, additional allegations were presented from an unnamed minor in Texas in a lawsuit set by their father against the Assemblies of God.[98][99][100]

Notable members

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See also

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Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ "Who We Are". Archived from the original on October 1, 2018. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  2. ^ SfC, Students for Christ, or Studenten für Christus in German, is the most common name used in Europe. "SfC Europe: About Us". Archived from the original on November 20, 2008. Retrieved October 9, 2007.
  3. ^ "Our Story". Chi Alpha Campus Ministries. Retrieved September 3, 2022. Chi Alpha is sponsored by the Assemblies of God (AG). That means the AG provides each local campus with support, resources and connectivity to a larger worldwide movement. They also work to equip the leaders of each local XA, both the vocational missionaries associated with each group and the student leaders. The sponsorship by the Assemblies of God does not mean that you have to have a history with the AG. You don't have to have any particular denominational connection to be welcomed in our groups.
  4. ^ Randal Rust. "Mason, Charles Harrison". Tennessee Encyclopedia. Retrieved September 3, 2022. Mason dreamed of an integrated church and believed that all races were entitled to equal rights and authority. From COGIC's inception, Mason ordained and allowed whites to join his denomination. From 1907 to 1914, Mason ordained hundreds of white ministers. In 1914, a group of whites left COGIC and established the Assemblies of God. Throughout his tenure, Mason continued to integrate COGIC. A white COGIC pastor named Leonard P. Adams pastored Grace and Truth in Memphis, and COGIC's first general secretary was a white man named William B. Holt. Mason also conducted integrated funerals, baptisms, and worship services. At the height of Jim Crow, Mason allowed blacks and whites to sit next to each other in church. In the 1930s, Edward Hull "Boss" Crump told Mason he could not continue to allow blacks and whites to sit together. However, Boss Crump did not stop Mason from holding integrated meetings. Mason used COGIC as a platform to fight against segregation and encouraged blacks and whites to embrace racial unity.
  5. ^ "Race and the Assemblies of God Church: The Journey from Azusa Street to the "Miracle of Memphis" By Joe Newman". Cambria Press. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  6. ^ "What We Believe". www.chialpha.com. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  7. ^ "Why We Exist". www.chialpha.com. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  8. ^ "Grundsätze". October 12, 2007. Archived from the original on October 12, 2007. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  9. ^ "Why We Exist". Chi Alpha Campus Ministries. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  10. ^ "Campus Missionary-in-Training". Chi Alpha Campus Ministries. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  11. ^ Smietana, Bob (May 6, 2015). "Many Evangelicals Wary of Faith Requirements for Campus Groups". News & Reporting. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  12. ^ Smith, Samuel (March 31, 2015). "'Attending College Should Not Cost Me My Faith,' Says Chi Alpha President Whose Chapter Lost Official Status on Campus for Requiring Leaders to Be Christian". The Christian Post. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  13. ^ "J. Calvin Holsinger III, Educator and Founder of Chi Alpha, Dies". www.news.ag.org. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  14. ^ Harrup, Scott (2009). "What can be learned from history?". ag.org. Assemblies of God. Archived from the original on June 13, 2011. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
  15. ^ a b Bixler 2002.
  16. ^ Kennedy, John W. (September 26, 2010). "Chi Alpha Poised to Expand" (PDF). Pentecostal Evangel. 5029: 22. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  17. ^ Gaylor 2001, p. 89.
  18. ^ "Dennis Gaylor Retires as National Chi Alpha Director" (PDF). Pentecostal Evangel. 5172: 26. June 23, 2013. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  19. ^ Gaylor 2001, p. 99.
  20. ^ Gaylor 2023, p. 42.
  21. ^ Gaylor 2023, p. 191.
  22. ^ Gaylor 2001, p. 191.
  23. ^ "Connections: E. Scott Martin. The New Chi Alpha" (PDF). Pentecostal Evangel. 5738: 20. September 28, 2014. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  24. ^ "General Superintendent".
  25. ^ Gaylor 2001, p. 259.
  26. ^ a b Blair, Leonardo (November 21, 2023). "E. Scott Martin, Chi Alpha's national director, resigns in aftermath of abuse scandal". The Christian Post. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  27. ^ Kennedy, John (August 25, 2021). "A University Ambassador to the Nations". AG News. Assemblies of God. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  28. ^ Gaylor 2001, p. 343.
  29. ^ "National Leadership". www.chialpha.com. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  30. ^ "Area Leadership". www.chialpha.com. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  31. ^ "District Leadership". www.chialpha.com. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  32. ^ "Assemblies of God Theological Seminary". www.evangel.edu. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  33. ^ "Reach the University Institute". www.evangel.edu. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  34. ^ Gaylor 2001, p. 275.
  35. ^ Alford, Deann (February 14, 2023). "Nationwide Campus Awakening". www.news.ag.org. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  36. ^ Kennedy, John W. (September 30, 2019). "The Coming Campus Awakening". www.news.ag.org. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  37. ^ "Experience CMC". www.chialpha.com. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  38. ^ Morgan, Timothy W. (March 12, 2018). "The 'Secret Sauce' of Campus Discipleship". www.news.ag.org. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  39. ^ "Campus Missionary-in-Training". www.chialpha.com. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  40. ^ The Yale Review Vol. 74, No. 2 (Winter, 1985), 312. It has been reprinted several times (see her bibliography for info on the reprints).
  41. ^ "SfC Europe: About Us". Archived from the original on November 20, 2008. Retrieved October 9, 2007.
  42. ^ Gaylor 2001, p. 464.
  43. ^ "Get Ready: Something Supernatural is Happening on Campus!". www.news.ag.org. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  44. ^ "Religion Plays Growing Role on Campuses". The New York Times. January 5, 1986. p. Sunday Late City Final Edition, Section 1, Page 37, Column 1.
  45. ^ "The Palm Beach Post - Google News Archive Search". July 14, 2012. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
  46. ^ "Find a Group". Students for Christ - Europe. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  47. ^ "Group Locator | Spotlight". Archived from the original on July 31, 2010. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
  48. ^ "Group Locator". Chi Alpha Campus Ministries. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  49. ^ "Timeline". www.dennisgaylor.com. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  50. ^ Gaylor 2001, p. 295.
  51. ^ Kolbaba, Ginger (September 22, 2016). "Overdue Diversity". AG News. Assemblies of God. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  52. ^ Alford, Deann (December 6, 2022). "A Many-Layered Chi Alpha". AG News. Assemblies of God. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  53. ^ Henry, Ally (November 15, 2018). "Making HBCU Connections". AG News. Assemblies of God. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  54. ^ Kennedy, John (April 2, 2024). "Driven by Compassion Convoy of Hope marks 30 years of growth and ministry". Influence Magazine. Influence Magazine & The Healthy Church Network. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  55. ^ "feedONE". www.convoyofhope.org. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  56. ^ Kolbaba, Ginger (March 6, 2018). "Students Changing the World". AG News. Assemblies of God. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  57. ^ Gaylor 2001, p. 424.
  58. ^ a b Swenson, Madelyn. "Student allegations spark controversy". The Winonan. www.winonan.org. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  59. ^ "Group Locator". October 29, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  60. ^ a b "An Open Letter to Chi Alpha from a Fellow Roadrunner and Christian". Her Campus. February 18, 2016. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023. Even as a believer in Christ, your members have tried to make me and others feel bad for not wanting to be a part of your organization. I've politely told your members before as they approached me on my way to class that I am already part of a church family, only for them to try and grill me about the church I attend, and how involved I am to see if it fits their standards of Christianity and tell me "that's not good enough." I can distinctly remember a situation on campus last year that I had to witness in disgust where some of your members purposefully set up next to the LGBTQ club, just so that you could scream at them and harass them for their life choices. The LGBTQ members stood there silently and with dignity as you made complete fools out of yourselves with your hypocrisy towards religion.
  61. ^ a b "SA drafts formal complaint against Chi Alpha after discrimination accusations". The Rice Thresher. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  62. ^ a b c "Pastor arrested on allegations of continuous sexual assault of a minor". KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi. July 11, 2022. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  63. ^ a b Shellnutt, Kate (May 10, 2023). "Registered Sex Offender Continued to Minister to Chi Alpha Students". Christianity Today. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  64. ^ a b "Chi Alpha Campus Ministries Platformed Convicted Sex Offender for Decades". The Roys Report. May 10, 2023. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  65. ^ a b "XA & The Lions Den". XA & The Lions Den. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  66. ^ a b Swenson, Madelyn. "Student allegations spark controversy". The Winonan. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  67. ^ Zezima, Katie (June 14, 2003). "Of Bart and Homer, and the Many Ways of Faith". The New York Times.
  68. ^ "Faith under fire at Cal State". Fox News. March 29, 2015.
  69. ^ "Christian Student Group Claims Religious Discrimination from CSU Stanislaus". FOX40. March 21, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  70. ^ Naidu, Pawan (March 27, 2015). "Chi Alpha loses recognition from university, proposed bill hopes to fight against similar cases". California State University, Stanislaus. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  71. ^ Kim, Christine (November 27, 2015). "Christian Student Organization to be Recognized at California State University After Year-Long Dispute". Christianity Daily. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  72. ^ "UVirginia Christian Group Member Alleges Gay Discrimination". The College Post. December 2, 2020. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  73. ^ ""I love the Lord, and I don't see any error in my ways": Students navigate being queer in religious organizations". The Rice Thresher. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  74. ^ "'This is in your best interest to leave': LGBTQ+ students share discriminatory experiences in Chi Alpha". The Rice Thresher. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  75. ^ Breen, McKinley (May 10, 2019). "A conversation with a former Chi Alpha member". Archived from the original on April 5, 2023.
  76. ^ "10 Texas pastors have been charged with sexually abusing children this year". Newsweek. December 9, 2022. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  77. ^ Blair, Leonardo; Reporter, Senior (April 3, 2024). "Former Chi Alpha pastor gets no prison time for sexual abuse of family member". The Christian Post. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  78. ^ Gutteridge, Nicholas (May 2023). "Chi Alpha organization took students to church with links to a sex offender". The Battalion. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  79. ^ "Law Firm Asks Texas Universities to Expel Campus Ministry with Ties to Sex Offender – MinistryWatch". Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  80. ^ "TX Pastor Linked to Chi Alpha Sex Abuse Scandal Dismissed From Church". The Roys Report. May 24, 2023. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  81. ^ Kyle, Matt (May 25, 2023). "Waco police: Baylor-based minister let 'mentor' sexually abuse family members". Waco Tribune-Herald. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  82. ^ Wingfield, Mark (May 26, 2023). "Leader of Assemblies of God student group at Baylor arrested on child sexual abuse charges". Baptist News Global. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  83. ^ "Baylor Campus Ministry Leader Charged with Sex Abuse of Two Boys". The Roys Report. May 25, 2023. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  84. ^ Martinez, Sarah (July 6, 2023). "Texas youth ministers arrested, accused of sexual abuse of minors". MySA. Archived from the original on July 24, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  85. ^ Kyle, Matt (June 2, 2023). "Sex offender linked to arrest of Baylor Chi Alpha minister arrested in Houston". Waco Tribune-Herald. Archived from the original on June 7, 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  86. ^ Witherspoon, Tommy (May 24, 2023). "'Spiritual mentor' of ex-Baylor campus minister arrested in sexual abuse of two Waco boys". KWTX. Archived from the original on June 7, 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  87. ^ Witherspoon, Tommy (June 12, 2023). "'Spiritual adviser' to ex-Baylor campus minister held on $250K bond on child sex abuse charge". KWTX. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  88. ^ "2 ministers, one with ties to Baylor University, accused of forcing kids to perform sex acts in sauna at Houston home". KPRC Click2Houston. July 3, 2023. Archived from the original on July 24, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  89. ^ Blair, Leonardo (June 6, 2023). "Minister with outsized influence in Assemblies of God's Chi Alpha ministry arrested for abusing boys". The Christian Post. Archived from the original on June 7, 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  90. ^ Bowman, Colin (June 12, 2023). "Leader at Church Linked to Chi Alpha Abuse Scandal Charged with Sex Abuse". The Roys Report. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  91. ^ Shepherd, Josh (September 28, 2023). "Assemblies of God Pastors Call for Leaders to Resign Over 'Shameful' Response to Chi Alpha Sex Scandal". The Roys Report. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  92. ^ "2023 General Council Aug 4 Business (Video)". August 4, 2023 – via YouTube timestamp=11:45.
  93. ^ Blair, Leonardo (September 29, 2023). "Assemblies of God pastors say denomination's leaders should resign over Chi Alpha scandal". The Christian Post. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  94. ^ Kyle, Matt (October 16, 2023). "More charges added against sex offender linked to ex-Baylor Chi Alpha minister's arrest". Waco Tribune-Herald. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  95. ^ "Ragin' for Christ". PENews. September 28, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  96. ^ Akers, Shawn A. "After Sex Scandal, Ragin' Cajuns Get Baptized to Pledge Commitment to Christ". Charisma News. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  97. ^ Shepherd, Josh (November 28, 2023). "Head of Chi Alpha Campus Ministries Resigns in Wake of Sex Abuse Scandal". The Roys Report. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  98. ^ Wingfield, Mark (January 30, 2024). "Abuse allegations against Chi Alpha expand with new lawsuit". Baptist News Global. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  99. ^ Blair, Leonardo (January 31, 2024). "Texas father sues Assemblies of God, accuses Chi Alpha leaders of sexually abusing teenage son". The Christian Post. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  100. ^ Shellnutt, Kate (January 26, 2024). "Father Sues Assemblies of God for Alleged Abuse of Teen". News & Reporting. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  101. ^ Elliot, Peter (May 5, 2009). "Arkansas Pastors Shed Light on Idol Finalist Kris Allen". Everyday Christian. Archived from the original on May 9, 2009.

References

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