Reaching The University of Oregon Through Relationships!

 

 

Chi Alpha* is a community of Christian believers that are committed...

  • To grow in their love for God
  • Grow in their love for each other
  • Grow in their desire to share Jesus with those to whom he is a stranger

Welcome to Chi Alpha's Web. The purpose of this web page is to help you plug into a community of Christian believers on the UO campus.

The bottom line of what Chi Alpha is RELATIONSHIPS. Chi Alpha is not just another group, it is a lot more. It focuses on Relationships, Worship, Prayer, Bible Study and Evangelism. The uniqueness of a XA is that it is constantly open to accept new people, providing an avenue to plug in new and old Christians into healthy Christian relationships. It allows us the opportunity to make a community effort to reach our friends and classmates with the love of Jesus.

Encourage you to contact us or to them on a Monday Night Chi Alpha Meeting. Their door is always open to you. Explore the rest of the web page to get a better understanding of who they are and what they are all about. However, the best way to get to know them is to join them for one of the many UO Chi Alpha activities.

Their office was past located in the Erb Memorial Union, Student Services Office Room #20. To find them, walk down the hall from the Buzz Coffee House. Keep walking straight past the Copy Center (don't turn left!) and the Student Services Offices will be on the right. Their office faces the window by the second glass door. There will be a sign inside the office to show you who we are.


*Chi (X) and Alpha (A); are the symbols for the Greek words "christou apostoloi" or "Christ Ambassadors" found in the Bible.2 Corinthians 5:20 - commonly seen as "XA".

 

Introducing Cell Groups

I hope by this time that you are just as excited about Cell Groups as we are. The best way to learn about a cell is to involve yourself in a Chi Alpha Cell. However, you might not be able to join in person for certain reasons, therefore, they wanted to communicate the basics of how to start a Cell Group in Your World.

  1. First of all, has God given you a heart for Your World, that is, has He given you a strong desire to reach the people around you for Jesus? Are you ready to wash their feet like Jesus did to His disciples? If so, read on.
  2. Talk to some of your Christians friends in Your World and tell them about your desire to begin a Cell. Pray together and allow God to help you determine the, what, when, where's of the Cell. Possibly read through a recommended book* or search the web for good Bible Study and Cell resources.
  3. Make a list of your friends, whether practicing Christians or not, and pray strategically that they would be open to joining your Cell. Then, allow God to give you opportunities to invite those people to your Cell.
  4. Plan the particulars of the four sections of a Cell; Welcome, Worship, Word, and Witness. See the "Inside of a Cell" page for more info. Remember that a Cell should not be any longer than a hour and a half and that the first few times should be mostly relational, get to know you type of things.
  5. Lastly, don't give up in inviting people to your Cell. You never know what is going through people's mind on a weekly basis. Remember too that people are not projects so don't treat them as one. Eventually, your cell will grow a person at a time. When you reach 15 or more, you'll need to slip the cell to start over again impacting more and more of the World Around You!

A Chi Alpha Cell consist of 9-15 students who desire to reach the people in their world. A Cell meets for roughly an hour and a half every week to join in Fellowship, Worship, Bible Study and for Strategic Outreach. Students are encouraged, however, that a healthy Cell Group functions outside of itself, meaning that, true relationships go beyond scheduled meetings and into your own personal life (ie: sharing meals, movies, coffee, shopping, etc.).

Some needs that the Cell provides an outlet for is:

  • Spiritual: Not only our we focused on multiplying God's influence on campus, but also on your continued growth in Christ Jesus. During the duration of a Cell, you will be challenged to mature in God and in His Word.
  • Emotional Support: A Cell also provides emotional support. It is not only difficult to serve God in a University atmosphere, but it can be very lonely. Chi Alpha is a place to come to that is safe and secure. A place where students can share their current challenges and concerns as a Christian on a College Campus.
  • Rest & Relaxation: There is nothing like getting away from the demands of college and have a good time. Throughout the week and during the Cell, Cell members commonly hang out together. Whether it is out to a movie or hanging out in the Buzz.
  • Leadership Training: A Chi Alpha Cell is a great way to gain valuable leadership training. Without a doubt, you have the potential to lead the people around you within a Cell Group. Whether you are meeting with a student leader or with a seasoned campus pastor, you will always have access to those who have experience leading Cells.
  • Ministry Experience: Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship is currently pioneering this Cell Group Model of ministry this year. We are starting with one Cell Group to which other Cell Groups would quickly spin off from. Every single person is invited to join us for the first Cell Group and watch as many other Cell Groups multiply into the educational departments and dorms on campus. This experience will prove invaluable as you leave the University to reach the Market Place.