Meet Our Pastors

Derrick and Ashley Jackson

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!

SFAXA Quick Facts

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SFAXA Directors

Ministry Houses Owned

Celebrating a Legacy at SFA!

On October 26, 1967, Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship (later renamed Chi Alpha Campus Ministry) was officially chartered with the Assemblies of God.  The mission was profoundly simple:  to reach the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Since that day, countless students have discovered and deepened relationships with God through the ministry of Chi Alpha.

sfaxa Timeline

1967

Official Charter

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.

1985

Welcome, Gary & Connie Paschal!

Texas State University graduate Gary Paschal took leadership of SFA Chi Alpha alongside his bride, Connie, a loyal University of Texas alumni.  Both their hearts would be won over by the Lumberjacks of SFA!

1992

North Street XA House Purchased

After years of renting, SFA Chi Alpha (under the leadership of Gary Paschal) was able to purchase the turn-of-the-century, two-story, red-brick house on North Street for $80,000.

1999

Blount Street International House Purchased

The International House was purchased with the vision to house and minister to SFA International students.

2000

Welcome, Richard Skinner!

Richard Skinner (and soon-to-be wife, Dana) served the Lumberjacks for 8 years until 2008.

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

XAi 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

This year we celebrate SFA Chi Alpha’s activity for over half the lifetime of Stephen F. Austin State University!  Here’s to 50 more!

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 there is one god in 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.

we believe jesus is fully god and fully human...

…so we rejoice that christ can be a bridge between us and god.

we believe people throughout history have sinned against god...

…so we are deeply aware that we too are marked by willful disobedience.

we believe god offers freedom from sin's grasp...

…so we strive to 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 in the church...

…so we live in a community of faith, inviting others to join.

we believe god gives leaders as gifts to his church...

…so we serve those whom the lord entrusts to us.

we believe god commands his followers to celebrate communion and water baptism...

…so we practice these symbolic actions, reflecting on their significance.

we believe that god can heal both the body and the heart...

…so we pray with faith and hope.

we believe empowerment by the holy spirit is available to all followers of jesus...

…so we pray expecting supernatural power to be a credible witness to jesus in our daily lives.

we believe the mark of baptism in the holy spirit is speaking in other tongues...

…so we pray that god would grant us this supernatural gift.

we believe jesus will return to claim his church...

…so we live in expectancy of his coming.

we believe we will live with god forever...

…so we live with hope regardless of our circumstances.

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!

Still Have Questions?

Ask Us!