We’re always finding new ways to connect with students and share the hope of the Gospel. Whether it’s through high-energy events like MugShots—where we serve root beer floats in coffee mugs to hundreds of students in one night—setting up welcoming tables on campus, offering free first-day-of-school photos, or simply walking around and starting Gospel-centered conversations, our goal is the same: to meet students where they are and be the light of Christ on campus.

One of our core passions is helping students grow as disciples of Christ. We believe this happens best through intentional, personal relationships. Each of our student leaders meets regularly one-on-one with a staff member to deepen their faith and grow in spiritual maturity. In turn, those student leaders meet one-on-one with members of their small groups to invest in them and help them follow Jesus more fully.

Small groups have been a key of Chi Alpha since the beginning. We believe that spiritual growth happens best in community—when students build meaningful relationships, read Scripture together, pray together, and have fun together. Each year, we raise up and train student leaders to lead these groups, and at times, staff members step in to lead as well. It’s in these small groups that many students truly begin to experience life with Jesus and one another.

Missions is at the heart of Chi Alpha. We regularly invite global missionaries to our large group gatherings so students can hear their stories and be inspired to engage in God’s mission. Each winter, our students attend SALT—a regional conference where they connect with dozens of missionaries and explore how they can get involved. We also lead both domestic and international mission trips each year, giving students the opportunity to live out the call to go and make disciples.

But missions doesn’t start overseas—it starts right here. We teach our students that their campus is their mission field. From classmates and roommates to international students and strangers they haven’t met yet, we want them to see Rowan as the place where God has called them to live on mission right now.

Retreats are one of our favorite parts of Chi Alpha. Each year, we host a fall retreat, a leadership retreat, and attend SALT—our regional winter conference where we gather with dozens of other Chi Alpha groups. These retreats are often powerful turning points in the lives of our students.

Whether it’s through deepening friendships, extended times of worship, powerful moments of prayer, or simply making lifelong memories together, these weekends serve as anchor points in our year. Though each retreat lasts only a few days, the spiritual impact lasts far longer.