What is XA?
Each of us who identifies as a follower of Jesus also becomes Christ’s ambassador – or christou apostoloi in Greek. We use the first letters of “Chi” and “Alpha” to get our name, Chi Alpha or XA. Our name is a constant reminder that each of us has an important role in this world as we represent Christ to those around us.
Our Greek name comes from a passage of the New Testament: 2 Corinthians 5:20: “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…”
In Chi Alpha we seek to make sure that each student on the University of Memphis campus has a chance to hear and respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ during their college career. We do this through large-group Wednesday night meetings, Life Group Bible studies, International student ministry, one on one evangelism, and outreach.
Not only do we want to see the University of Memphis transformed by the love and power of Jesus, but we dream of growing Chi Alpha Memphis and raising up more Campus Ministers to reach the surrounding Memphis colleges and universities. As we reach these students, they will go on to transform the city, their workplaces and the world.
What We Believe
01 we believe... the Bible is God's message to us.
so we seek... to understand and obey its truth.
02 we believe... there is one God who is three persons.
so we yearn... to know Him in all of His complexity and beauty.
03 we believe... Jesus is fully God and fully human.
so we rejoice... that Christ can be a bridge between us and God.
04 we believe... people, throughout history, have sinned against God.
so we are... deeply aware that we too are marked by willful disobedience.
05 we believe... God extends forgiveness to us through Christ.
so we repent... and rejoice in our forgiveness.
06 we believe...God offers freedom from sin's grasp.
so we live... lives that are pleasing to God.
07 we believe... followers of Jesus must be empowered by the Holy Spirit.
so we expect... supernatural power in our daily lives.
08 we believe... that God can heal both the body and the heart.
so we pray... with faith and hope.
09 we believe... a mark of surrender to the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues.
so we pray... that God would grant us this supernatural gift.
10 we believe... in the Church.
so we live... in this community of faith, inviting others to join us.
11 we believe... God gives leaders as gifts to His Church.
so we serve... those whom the Lord entrusts to us.
12 we believe... God commands his followers to celebrate communion and baptism.
so we practice... these symbolic actions, reflecting on their significance.
13 we believe... Jesus will return to claim His Church.
so we live... in expectancy of His coming.
14 we believe... Christ will one day be seen clearly as King on earth.
so we live... as citizens of His Kingdom now.
15 we believe... God is the ultimate Judge.
so we live... knowing that our choices will echo through eternity.
16 we believe... we will live with God forever.
so we live... with hope regardless of our circumstances.
Our Core Values
These values serve to guide our priorities, decisions, and leadership practices.
1. KEEP FIRST THINGS FIRST
As we navigate a busy culture that is full of distractions to compete for our time and attention, our lives must be shaped by clear, Biblically-informed priorities that help us to focus on Jesus and pursue his Kingdom purposes (Matthew 6:33). We reflect this value by prioritizing these things that help us keep Jesus and his Kingdom central in our lives:
- Committing to a daily time of personal abiding with Jesus
- Engaging weekly in Chi Alpha large group, life group, and one-on-one discipleship
- Being faithfully involved in a local church
2. COMMUNITY
Community is essential to Christian discipleship. We need one another to grow as believers and we place a high priority on coming together to fulfill biblical directives. We reflect this value by:
- Developing and maintaining healthy relationships
- Processing conflict effectively in a spirit of gentleness and humility
- Creating a culture on campus of discipleship and accountability in the context of community
3. CREATIVITY
God is first revealed in Scripture as a creative being. We are committed to creativity as well in all areas of ministry work. We appreciate the proven methods of the past while being flexible to adapt to what the Lord has in store today and beyond. We reflect this value by:
- Understanding and responding to the cultural and institutional values of the campus
- Fine-tuning existing systems to increase the effectiveness of both ministry and resources
- Implementing strategic ideas to reach students not yet engaged through existing ministry
4. DIVERSITY
A diverse community demonstrates the reconciliation of students to Jesus across all campus demographics. We accept diverse methods and approaches to ministry. Each student possesses unique gifts and we seek to encourage their full implementation in the community. Our desire is to see our community reflect the beautiful diversity of our campus. We reflect this value by:
- Expressing a biblical understanding of the value of diversity
- Empowering women and people of all nationalities and ethnicities in leadership
- Celebrating unique ministry expressions and encouraging their effective application
5. EXCELLENCE
Excellence describes our approach to leadership, work, organization, and our personal lives. This is exemplified in many ways, including giving our best effort across all areas of ministry as service unto the Lord, striving to live in a way that embodies exceptional personal virtue, and in a commitment to continuous personal improvement. We reflect this value by:
- Demonstrating a strong, biblical work ethic
- Studying to be able to clearly communicate and apply the Gospel and other biblical principles to various situations and audiences
- Pursuing ongoing training and personal development as a life-long learner
6. INTERGRITY
Integrity describes a state of sound moral uprightness characterized by honesty, truthfulness, respect, and sincerity. Integrity in its simplest biblical definition means wholeness or completeness. This fosters an atmosphere of credibility and plausibility among those to whom we minister and within our community on campus. We reflect this value by:
- Practicing spiritual disciplines and living a Spirit-empowered life
- Maintaining a resilient heart of humility and grace, free from bitterness
- Living a life that is above reproach
7. SERVANT-LEADERSHIP
Servant-leadership is a practice that places the good of those led and their progressive maturity over the self-interest of the leader. Servant-leadership shares power and status for the sake of the common good. Its chief motive is to serve-first, as opposed to lead-first, and empower others to become servant-leaders themselves. We reflect this value by:
- Discipling students in biblical truth, godly character, leadership, and healthy relationships
- Developing students in their God-given giftedness and calling
- Leading in a way that processes relationship before task, putting the needs of others first