Derrick and Ashley have been our pastors since 2009. They have two of the cutest (and sometimes craziest) kids, Katelyn and Eli. Derrick loves coffee. Ashley loves crochet. They’re a little old, but still pretty cool!
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Shelby is a Stephen F. Austin alumni with a degree in Elementary Education. She is our resident ninja and Derrick’s co-coffee-connoisseur.
Trevor graduated from Stephen F. Austin in May 2016 with a degree in Agricultural Engineering Technology, and is famous for his robot voice!
Years at SFA
Houses Owned
SFA Presidents
Celebrating 50 Years at SFA!
On October 26, 1967, the vision birthed in the hearts of our founders was officially begun. The mission was profoundly simple: to reach the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Since that day, hundreds upon hundreds of students have discovered and deepened relationships with God through the ministry of Chi Alpha. Happy 50th Birthday, SFAXA!
1967
Chartered
Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship was officially chartered with the Assemblies of God National Chi Alpha office, making it one of the oldest existing chapters in the nation.
2009
Welcome, Jacksons!
August 2009 was the first semester led by primary directors Derrick and Ashley Jackson.
2012
45th Anniversary
Wow! 45 years of active Chi Alpha ministry at Stephen F. Austin State University!
2014
Goodbye, Mrs. Pattie!
After countless years of faithful service as a student and then a volunteer, Mrs. Pattie Willmon-Jennings is moving to Tyler, TX with her husband, Dennis. We pray she is doubly blessed for all her contributions to the students of Stephen F. Austin!
2015
International House Sold
It served us well for more than 15 years of ministry to Interntional and American students. Goodbye, 329 Blount Street! You will be missed!
2017
50th Anniversary
What We Believe
The most important thing about a man is what he believes about God.
– A.W. Tozer
Our God-beliefs will ultimately determine everything about us: our personality, our decisions in life, our emotions and more. In Chi Alpha belief is of utmost importance – we want to know not just what we believe, but why we believe. The following statements of belief are not light-hearted sentiments – they are firm foundations of truth upon which we base our lives individually and together.
We believe we will live with God forever, so we live with hope regardless of our circumstances.
We believe God is the ultimate Judge, so we live knowing that our choices will echo through eternity.
We believe Christ will one day be seen clearly as King on earth, so we live as citizens of His Kingdom now.
We believe Jesus will return to claim His Church, so we live in expectancy of his coming.
We believe God commands his followers to celebrate communion and baptism, so we practice these symbolic actions, reflecting on their significance.
We believe God gives leaders as gifts to His Church, so we serve those whom the Lord entrusts to us.
We believe in the Church, so we live in this community of faith, inviting others to join us.
We believe the mark of baptism in the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues, so we pray that God would grant us this supernatural gift.
We believe that God can heal both the body and the heart, so we pray with faith and hope.
We believe followers of Jesus must be empowered by the Holy Spirit, so we expect supernatural power in our daily lives.
We believe God offers freedom from sin’s grasp, so we live lives that are pleasing to God.
We believe God extends forgiveness to us through Christ, so we repent and rejoice in our forgiveness.
We believe people, throughout history, have sinned against God, so we are deeply aware that we too are marked by willful disobedience.
We believe Jesus is fully God and fully human, so we rejoice that Christ can be a bridge between us and God.
We believe there is one God who is three persons, so we yearn to know Him in all of His complexity and beauty.
We believe the Bible is God’s message to us, so we seek to understand and obey its truth.
FAQ.
Looking for more info about Chi Alpha at SFA? Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. If you don’t find your answer here, please don’t hesitate to email us using the big button below!
What about the name? Are you Greek?
Yes and no – we are not affiliated with the fraternity/sorority system. There are no dues to belong to Chi Alpha – you just belong. Our name comes from the Greek letters Chi (x) and Alpha (a), which are the first two letters of a phrase written by the apostle Paul to the church at Corinth. Translated, it means, “Christ’s sent ones,” and reminds us that we live to reflect Jesus Christ.
Are you affiliated with a national organization or specific denomination?
Chi Alpha is not unique to SFA’s campus. Our parent organization, Chi Alpha Campus Ministries, is active on University campuses throughout the United States and around the world. We are a movement of college-age men and women earnestly following Jesus. Our desire globally is to, “Reconcile students to Christ and thereby transform the University, the Marketplace, and the World.”
What are your orgnanization's dues and fees?
There are no dues for SFAXA. Membership is determined by attendance at official chapter events. So if you want to be “in” our group, just come to our events and have a great time!