Chi Alpha Explained
Letters: | Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: ΧΑ |
Chi Alpha |
Crest: | File:Chi_Alpha_Christian_Fellowship_Logo.png |
Birthplace: | Missouri State University |
Colors: | Black, White, Gray, and Red |
Motto: | "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:20)[1] |
Pillars: | Community, Creativity, Diversity, Excellence, Integrity, Servant-Leadership, and Evangelism |
Status: | Active |
Type: | Christian fellowship |
Affiliation: | Assemblies of God USA |
Scope: | International |
Emphasis: | Pentecostalism |
Nickname: | Christ's Ambassadors |
Symbol: | Christogram |
Chapters: | 270 |
Philanthropy: | Convoy of Hope |
Address: | 1445 North Boonville Avenue |
City: | Springfield |
State: | Missouri |
Zip Code: | 65802 |
Country: | United States |
Chi Alpha | Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: 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, social club, student society, and service organization 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]
Chi Alpha's stated mission is "to reconcile students to Jesus Christ, thereby transforming the university, the marketplace, and the world..."[4] It 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.[5] Its philanthropic and service organization affiliation is the Convoy of Hope. Through its campus ministries and fellowships, Chi Alpha operates a missionary internship program through the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, requiring doctrinal assent.[6] [7] [8]
Since the beginning of the 21st century, Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship's campus ministries have fluctuated from 310 locations in 2010, to 350 in 2019, and 272 in 2024. The organization and its leadership have also been subjected to controversies involving the LGBT community,[9] and sexual and psychological abuse with former members alleging "cult-like" personalities. 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.[10] [11] Since these reports, a website has been launched and dedicated against abuses within Chi Alpha and Assemblies of God.
Symbolism
The name Chi Alpha was inspired by the contemporary Assemblies of God youth movement, Christ's Ambassadors (reflection 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.
The Chi Alpha's symbol is the Christogram, a monogram abbreviation for the name of Jesus Christ. The fellowship's colors are Black, White, Gray, and Red.[12] Its virtues are Prayer, Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, and Mission.
History
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 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 USA headquarters is located.[13] [14] The Assemblies of God USA and the World Assemblies of God Fellowship were originally established in Arkansas.
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 inspired and sponsored by Assemblies of God 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.
Chi Alpha began its development internationally in the 1970s, establishing chapters in Europe under the name Students for Christ,[16] and also into Latin America under various names.
In 1978, Dennis Gaylor became national director of Chi Alpha, and served until April 2013. He was then succeeded in leadership led by Scott Martin,[17] up to 2023.[18]
Annie Dillard wrote a widely reprinted essay—"Singing with the Fundamentalists"[19] —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).
Chapters
Chi Alpha within the United States has a large presence throughout the South and Midwest.[20] [21] Globally, its second-largest presence is in Europe, within some predominantly and historically Catholic and Eastern Orthodox countries of Western, Central, and Mediterranean Europe.[22] 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.[23] As of December 2024, Chi Alpha had a presence at 270 campuses throughout the United States.[24]
Controversies
Throughout the organization's history, it has been involved in numerous controversies involving the LGBT community, sexual and psychological abuse, and religious abuse. 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.[25] 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.[26] [27] [28] The chapter was eventually reinstated after a year-long dispute between Chi Alpha and the campus.[29]
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 alleged of favoritism and shaming student party-goers and drinkers; additional allegations included mishandling sexual abuse and psychological abuse.[30] In 2020, a student from the University of Virginia alleged discrimination after coming out and being forced to step down.[31] A year later, from 2021-2022, the fellowship was highlighted for leadership's accusations of discrimination against the LGBT community, students having premarital sex, and students who consume alcohol.[32] [33] [34] [35]
Sexual abuse
In July 2022, a pastor working for Chi Alpha was arrested for "continuous sexual abuse of a child," pleading innocence.[36] [37] [38]
In May 2023, Christianity Today and other outlets reported the organization's platforming of registered sexual offender, Daniel Savala, for more than 30 years.[39] 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.[40] A website was also published, dedicated against abuses within Chi Alpha and the Assemblies of God.[41] 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.[42] On 25 May 2023, a Chi Alpha campus minister for Baylor University was arrested on child sex abuse charges.[43] 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.[44] [45] [46]
In June 2023, Savala was arrested;[47] [48] [49] [50] 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.[51] Following Savala's arrest in June, an Alaskan minister linked to Chi Alpha was charged with sexual abuse.[52]
By August of 2023, three Assemblies of God pastors from Texas and Louisiana had called for the resignation of the denomination’s leaders over the Savala scandal.[53] 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. Clay described the scandal as a series of "hiccups," while Orange, Texas-pastor Armstrong responded, "Hundreds of victims of sexual abuse is not a spot on a spectrum."[54]
In October 2023, it was revealed from a 1989 yearbook for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, that Savala was mentioned as a Chi Alpha staff member alongside campus minister Eric Treuil.[55] Treuil reestablished the local Chi Alpha chapter for the university in 1987, and since 1994, has led the Cajuns 4 Christ athletic outreach program.[56]
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:[57]
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.[58]
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.[59] [60] [61] By March 2024, a church disaffiliated from Assemblies of God USA over the Chi Alpha sex abuse scandal.[62] By May 2024, three men linked with Chi Alpha's Texas A&M chapter were arrested for indecency with a child.[63]
In August 2024, the suspended Texas A&M chapter was highlighted for recruiting during its suspension.[64] [65]
Notable members
Following is a list of some of Chi Alpha's notable alumni.
See also
Notes and References
- Web site: Who We Are . October 1, 2018 . October 1, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181001070150/https://www.vtxa.com/copy-of-about-us . dead .
- SfC, Students for Christ, or in German, is the most common name used in Europe. Web site: SfC Europe: About Us. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20081120000402/http://www.sfceurope.org/aboutus/history_more.html. November 20, 2008. October 9, 2007.
- Web site: Our Story . 2022-09-03 . Chi Alpha Campus Ministries . en-US . 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..
- Web site: Grundsätze . https://web.archive.org/web/20071012081831/http://www.studenten-fuer-christus.de/sfc/sfc-christliche-studentengruppe/anbetung-gebet-juengerschaft/ . dead . October 12, 2007 . October 12, 2007 . October 10, 2019.
- Web site: Why We Exist . 2022-07-01 . Chi Alpha Campus Ministries . en-US.
- Web site: Campus Missionary-in-Training . 2023-02-06 . Chi Alpha Campus Ministries . en-US.
- Web site: Smietana . Bob . Many Evangelicals Wary of Faith Requirements for Campus Groups . 2023-02-06 . News & Reporting . May 6, 2015 . en.
- Web site: Smith . Samuel . 2015-03-31 . '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 . 2023-02-06 . The Christian Post . en-US.
- Web site: 2016-02-18 . An Open Letter to Chi Alpha from a Fellow Roadrunner and Christian . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230405131524/https://geo.moatads.com/n.js?e=35&ol=0&qn=%604%7BZEYwoqI%24%5BK%2BdLLU)%2CMm~t8!b.%5BMhS%3A15.snxNz3%2B1bmlLntoDUj%7B!%3CFeid%5BOV%7C%2B2x%3D(%3Ce7%25%7DSlx%3Am4%2C..8WLdA1%3BxTiWio8bYLaXBjA%3AmQ)%3CF!tAbjrzJ%3BgoVYGVxc%40lQQV%23tc3%2Fh%7C%3FVKV%3BW5.NO)Wx%22%3CY%24%3D!Iv*8Lm_l2fxECSR23_hFAkD%3Dv%3CN%5B.%22%24b_o%3FtVD%5D%5BpN%7CQF%40Sy7%7B%2CNr1U*%26ujMUU9%3C%24kBjqI&tf=1_nMzjG---CSa7H-nHVQZC-bW7qhB-LRwqH-nMzjG-&vi=111111&rc=1%2C2%2C2%2C3%2C3326192205%2C1%2C4%2C0%2Cprobably%2Cprobably&rb=1-IG2bX3TpNoanMCBLaTMratT%2F8IKBUGMSV3C%2FvEJM65hND7UVt69nIRrqyNQFcZFf7egP&rs=1-c3tHGE5B1zA1OQ%3D%3D&sc=1&os=1-fA%3D%3D&qp=10000&is=&iv=8&qt=0&gz=0&hh=0&hn=0&tw=&qc=10&qd=10&qf=1100&qe=784&qh=1100&qg=900&qm=0&qa=1600&qb=1000&qi=1600&qj=1000&to=000&po=1-0020002000002120&vy=ot%24b%5Bh%40%22oDgO%3DLlE6%3AYnIBMwqCf%5D)4%5Dz%2C%5B%26u9L%2F%2F%24b4%5DIAIbzbld%7Dt00%7Ca_BB%3FVxyEO%22zf4%5D%24cr16Zh5YigBghs%7ClTr1W*d%5B4kf%2FLyUoRdByZ%3C99Ks(I%7DY(T0c%7BDQ3MY.NjDby7p%26C&qr=0&ql=%3B%5BpwxnRd%7Dt%3Aal9EU%22y%2F.D%5B5%2F%5BGI%3Fi6%5EB61%2F%3DSqcMr1%7B%2CTu9LJJ(a.P%2B)s1(uA&qo=0&i=HERCAMPUSMEDIA_HEADER1&hp=1&wf=0&pxm=4&sgs=3&vb=-1&kq=1&hq=0&hs=0&hu=0&hr=0&ht=1&dnt=0&bq=11&f=0&j=&t=1680700523226&de=88268087347&rx=710788388944&m=0&ar=229a371aeed-clean&iw=8354789&q=1&cb=0&cu=1680700523226&ll=4&lm=0&ln=0&em=0&en=0&d=undefined%3Aundefined%3Aundefined%3Aundefined&zMoatGSR=1&ph=&pj=standard&zGSRC=1&gu=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hercampus.com%2Fschool%2Futsa%2Fopen-letter-chi-alpha-fellow-roadrunner-and-christian%2F&id=1&ii=4&bo=undefined&bd=undefined&zMoatOrigSlicer1=undefined&zMoatOrigSlicer2=undefined&dfp=true&la=undefined&gw=hercampusmediaheader276881430241&fd=1&it=500&ti=0&ih=2&pe=1%3A-%3A-%3A0%3A0&fs=203020&na=1232342423&cs=0&callback=MoatDataJsonpRequest_70703452 . 2023-04-05 . 2023-04-05 . Her Campus . en-US . 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..
- Web site: Shellnutt . Kate . Registered Sex Offender Continued to Minister to Chi Alpha Students . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230516034745/https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2023/may/chi-alpha-daniel-savala-sex-offender-abuse-houston-ag.html . 2023-05-16 . 2023-05-16 . Christianity Today . May 10, 2023 . en.
- Web site: 2023-05-10 . Chi Alpha Campus Ministries Platformed Convicted Sex Offender for Decades . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230516035107/https://julieroys.com/chi-alpha-campus-ministries-platformed-convicted-sex-offender-decades/ . 2023-05-16 . 2023-05-16 . The Roys Report . en-US.
- Web site: Chi Alpha Campus Ministries, U.S.A. Style Guide . Chi Alpha . June 8, 2017 . Chi Alpha Campus Ministries, U.S.A..
- Web site: Harrup . Scott . What can be learned from history? . ag.org . Assemblies of God . 2009 . July 30, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110613120309/http://www.ag.org/pentecostal-evangel/conversations2003/4651_history.cfm . June 13, 2011.
- Book: Bixler, Frances . The new international dictionary of Pentecostal and charismatic movements. . 2002 . Zondervan Pub. House . Grand Rapids, Mich. . 0310224810 . Rev. and expanded . Stanley M. Burgess . 521 . Chi Alpha.
- Book: Gaylor . Dennis . Growing a Student Movement: The Development of Chi Alpha Campus Ministries 1940-2020 . June 2, 2021 . Independently published . 979-8676277963 . 19 . 28 January 2025.
- Web site: SfC Europe: About Us. October 9, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20081120000402/http://www.sfceurope.org/aboutus/history_more.html. November 20, 2008. dead.
- Web site: National Leadership.
- Web site: Blair . Leonardo . 2023-11-21 . E. Scott Martin, Chi Alpha's national director, resigns in aftermath of abuse scandal . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231203150655/https://www.christianpost.com/news/chi-alpha-national-director-resigns-in-aftermath-of-abuse-scandal.html . 2023-12-03 . 2023-12-03 . The Christian Post . en-US.
- The Yale Review Vol. 74, No. 2 (Winter, 1985), 312. It has been reprinted several times (see her bibliography for info on the reprints).
- News: Religion Plays Growing Role on Campuses . January 5, 1986 . . Sunday Late City Final Edition, Section 1, Page 37, Column 1.
- Web site: The Palm Beach Post - Google News Archive Search . July 14, 2012 . https://archive.today/20120714005538/http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1964&dat=19860118&id=8hYjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1M4FAAAAIBAJ&pg=2319,6140718 . July 14, 2012 . November 1, 2019 . live .
- Web site: Find a Group . 2023-02-06 . Students for Christ - Europe . en-US.
- Web site: Group Locator | Spotlight . July 29, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100731073752/http://chialpha.com/Spotlight/group-locator.html . July 31, 2010 . dead.
- Web site: Group Locator . 2023-02-06 . Chi Alpha Campus Ministries . en-US.
- News: Of Bart and Homer, and the Many Ways of Faith . Zezima . Katie . June 14, 2003 . The New York Times.
- Web site: Faith under fire at Cal State . March 29, 2015 . Fox News.
- Web site: 2015-03-21 . Christian Student Group Claims Religious Discrimination from CSU Stanislaus . 2023-02-06 . FOX40 . en-US.
- Web site: Naidu . Pawan . Chi Alpha loses recognition from university, proposed bill hopes to fight against similar cases . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230206211548/https://www.csusignal.com/stan_state_news/article_0f90d765-3879-5f00-91a8-443c982e6424.html . 6 Feb 2023 . 2022-10-25 . California State University, Stanislaus . March 27, 2015 . en.
- Web site: Kim . Christine . 2015-11-27 . Christian Student Organization to be Recognized at California State University After Year-Long Dispute . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230206211637/https://www.christianitydaily.com/articles/6993/20151127/christian-student-organization-recognized-california-state-university-year-long-dispute.htm . 6 Feb 2023 . 2022-10-25 . Christianity Daily.
- Web site: Swenson . Madelyn . Student allegations spark controversy . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230206211721/https://winonan.org/8705/news/student-allegations-spark-controversy/ . 6 Feb 2023 . 2023-02-06 . The Winonan.
- Web site: 2020-12-02 . UVirginia Christian Group Member Alleges Gay Discrimination . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230405132934/https://thecollegepost.com/uvirginia-christian-group-alledged-gay-discrimination/ . 2023-04-05 . 2023-04-05 . The College Post . en-US.
- Web site: "I love the Lord, and I don't see any error in my ways": Students navigate being queer in religious organizations . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230206211806/https://www.ricethresher.org/article/2020/10/i-love-the-lord-and-i-dont-see-any-error-in-my-ways-students-navigate-being-queer-in-religious-organizations . 6 Feb 2023 . 2023-02-06 . The Rice Thresher.
- Web site: SA drafts formal complaint against Chi Alpha after discrimination accusations . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230206211905/https://www.ricethresher.org/article/2022/04/sa-drafts-formal-complaint-against-chi-alpha-after-discrimination-accusations . 6 Feb 2023 . 2022-10-25 . The Rice Thresher.
- Web site: 'This is in your best interest to leave': LGBTQ+ students share discriminatory experiences in Chi Alpha . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230206211947/https://www.ricethresher.org/article/2022/04/this-is-in-your-best-interest-to-leave-lgbtq-students-share-discriminatory-experiences-in-chi-alpha . 6 Feb 2023 . 2023-02-06 . The Rice Thresher.
- Web site: Breen . McKinley . May 10, 2019 . A conversation with a former Chi Alpha member . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230405131316/https://www.lawrentian.com/archives/1015065 . 2023-04-05.
- Web site: 2022-07-11 . Pastor arrested on allegations of continuous sexual assault of a minor . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230206212030/https://www.kristv.com/pastor-arrested-on-allegations-of-continuous-sexual-assault-of-a-minor . 6 Feb 2023 . 2023-02-06 . KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi . en.
- Web site: 2022-12-09 . 10 Texas pastors have been charged with sexually abusing children this year . 2023-02-06 . Newsweek . en.
- Web site: Blair . Leonardo . Reporter . Senior . 2024-04-03 . Former Chi Alpha pastor gets no prison time for sexual abuse of family member . 2024-04-21 . The Christian Post . en.
- Web site: Gutteridge . Nicholas . Chi Alpha organization took students to church with links to a sex offender . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230516035402/https://www.thebatt.com/news/chi-alpha-organization-took-students-to-church-with-links-to-a-sex-offender/article_793cdc2e-e876-11ed-907b-d33f4dd8cad8.html . 2023-05-16 . 2023-05-16 . The Battalion . May 2023 . en.
- Web site: Law Firm Asks Texas Universities to Expel Campus Ministry with Ties to Sex Offender – MinistryWatch . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230516130958/https://ministrywatch.com/law-firm-asks-texas-universities-to-expel-campus-ministry-with-ties-to-sex-offender/ . 2023-05-16 . 2023-05-16 . en-US.
- Web site: XA & The Lions Den . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230516131133/https://xalionsden.com/ . 2023-05-16 . 2023-05-16 . XA & The Lions Den . en-US.
- Web site: 2023-05-24 . TX Pastor Linked to Chi Alpha Sex Abuse Scandal Dismissed From Church . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230526134542/https://julieroys.com/texas-pastor-linked-chi-alpha-sex-abuse-scandal-dismissed-church/ . 2023-05-26 . 2023-05-26 . The Roys Report . en-US.
- Web site: Kyle . Matt . 2023-05-25 . Waco police: Baylor-based minister let 'mentor' sexually abuse family members . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230526133919/https://wacotrib.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/waco-police-baylor-based-minister-let-mentor-sexually-abuse-his-children/article_e2bc875c-fb3c-11ed-9a46-2bd6a2a6c0d5.html . 2023-05-26 . 2023-05-26 . Waco Tribune-Herald . en.
- Web site: Wingfield . Mark . 2023-05-26 . Leader of Assemblies of God student group at Baylor arrested on child sexual abuse charges . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230526133123/https://baptistnews.com/article/leader-of-assemblies-of-god-student-group-at-baylor-arrested-on-child-sexual-abuse-charges/ . 2023-05-26 . 2023-05-26 . Baptist News Global . en-US.
- Web site: 2023-05-25 . Baylor Campus Ministry Leader Charged with Sex Abuse of Two Boys . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230526133636/https://julieroys.com/baylor-campus-ministry-leader-hundl-charged-with-sexual-abuse-of-two-boys/?mc_cid=e5f44da783&mc_eid=8be88ae307 . 2023-05-26 . 2023-05-26 . The Roys Report . en-US.
- Web site: Martinez . Sarah . 2023-07-06 . Texas youth ministers arrested, accused of sexual abuse of minors . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230724121236/https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/texas-youth-ministers-sexual-abuse-18187312.php . 2023-07-24 . 2023-07-24 . MySA . en.
- Web site: Kyle . Matt . 2023-06-02 . Sex offender linked to arrest of Baylor Chi Alpha minister arrested in Houston . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230607014453/https://wacotrib.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/sex-offender-linked-to-arrest-of-baylor-chi-alpha-minister-arrested-in-houston/article_845b7402-017c-11ee-975f-cbc226a24218.html . 2023-06-07 . 2023-06-07 . Waco Tribune-Herald . en.
- Web site: Witherspoon . Tommy . 2023-05-24 . 'Spiritual mentor' of ex-Baylor campus minister arrested in sexual abuse of two Waco boys . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230607014628/https://www.kwtx.com/2023/06/02/spiritual-mentor-ex-baylor-campus-minister-arrested-sexual-abuse-two-waco-boys/ . 2023-06-07 . 2023-06-07 . KWTX . en.
- Web site: Witherspoon . Tommy . 2023-06-12 . 'Spiritual adviser' to ex-Baylor campus minister held on $250K bond on child sex abuse charge . 2023-07-17 . KWTX . en.
- Web site: 2023-07-03 . 2 ministers, one with ties to Baylor University, accused of forcing kids to perform sex acts in sauna at Houston home . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230724121130/https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2023/07/03/2-ministers-one-with-ties-to-baylor-university-accused-of-forcing-kids-to-perform-sex-acts-in-sauna-at-houston-home/ . 2023-07-24 . 2023-07-24 . KPRC Click2Houston . en.
- Web site: Blair . Leonardo . 2023-06-06 . Minister with outsized influence in Assemblies of God's Chi Alpha ministry arrested for abusing boys . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230607014445/https://www.christianpost.com/news/chi-alpha-mentor-arrested-for-abusing-boys.html . 2023-06-07 . 2023-06-07 . The Christian Post . en-US.
- Web site: Bowman . Colin . 2023-06-12 . Leader at Church Linked to Chi Alpha Abuse Scandal Charged with Sex Abuse . 2023-06-30 . The Roys Report . en-US.
- Web site: Shepherd . Josh . 2023-09-28 . Assemblies of God Pastors Call for Leaders to Resign Over 'Shameful' Response to Chi Alpha Sex Scandal . 2023-10-23 . The Roys Report . en-US.
- Web site: Blair . Leonardo . 2023-09-29 . Assemblies of God pastors say denomination's leaders should resign over Chi Alpha scandal . 2023-10-23 . The Christian Post . en-US.
- Web site: Kyle . Matt . 2023-10-16 . More charges added against sex offender linked to ex-Baylor Chi Alpha minister's arrest . 2023-10-23 . Waco Tribune-Herald . en . Savala has been associated with multiple chapters of Chi Alpha since at least 1989. A 1989 article from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette yearbook refers to Savala as a “Chi Alpha staff member 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..
- Web site: 2021-09-28 . Ragin' for Christ . 2023-10-23 . PENews . en.
- Web site: Akers . Shawn A. . After Sex Scandal, Ragin' Cajuns Get Baptized to Pledge Commitment to Christ . 2023-10-23 . Charisma News . en.
- Web site: Shepherd . Josh . 2023-11-28 . Head of Chi Alpha Campus Ministries Resigns in Wake of Sex Abuse Scandal . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231203150931/https://julieroys.com/head-chi-alpha-campus-ministries-scott-martin-resigns-wake-sex-abuse-scandal/ . 2023-12-03 . 2023-12-03 . The Roys Report . en-US.
- Web site: Wingfield . Mark . 2024-01-30 . Abuse allegations against Chi Alpha expand with new lawsuit . 2024-01-31 . Baptist News Global . en-US.
- Web site: Blair . Leonardo . 2024-01-31 . Texas father sues Assemblies of God, accuses Chi Alpha leaders of sexually abusing teenage son . 2024-01-31 . The Christian Post . en-US.
- Web site: Shellnutt . Kate . 2024-01-26 . Father Sues Assemblies of God for Alleged Abuse of Teen . 2024-01-31 . News & Reporting . en.
- Web site: Blair . Leonardo . 2024-03-25 . MAG Church disaffiliates from Assemblies of God over Chi Alpha abuse scandal . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240330224200/https://www.christianpost.com/news/mag-church-disaffiliates-from-assemblies-of-god.html . 2024-03-30 . 2024-03-25 . The Christian Post.
- Web site: Egan . Alex . Gorbutt . Josh . Surette . Rusty . Riddell . Morgan . 2024-05-23 . Three men linked to Texas A&M’s Chi Alpha ministries arrested for indecency with a child . 2024-06-14 . KBTX . en.
- Web site: Riddell . Morgan . 2024-08-19 . Suspended Texas A&M ministry appears to be recruiting, according to reports . 2024-11-19 . KBTX . en.
- Web site: Gutteridge . Nicholas . 2024-08-17 . Embattled ex-campus ministry seeks revival . 2024-11-19 . The Battalion.
- Web site: Elliot . Peter . Arkansas Pastors Shed Light on Idol Finalist Kris Allen . Everyday Christian . May 5, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090509083500/http://www.everydaychristian.com/leisure/story/2017 . May 9, 2009.