Unlikely Partners
By Kyle Charland

With more than 200 established chapters around the United States, CMU’s Chi Alpha Campus Ministries strives to reconcile college students with Christ through freedom of expression and adventure.

Chi Alpha was found in 1953 on the campus of Missouri State University. Its mission was simple – to create a spirit-empowered community, which reflected the philosophy and ministries of Jesus Christ.

Through their five-fold vision, worship, prayer, fellowship, discipleship and mission, the organization strives to get students to have an active and authentic relationship with Christ.

In fall of 2003, after a chance meeting at CMU’s Main Stage, Chi Alpha leaders Jon and Lori Fredrickson invited former co-president Nick Linindoll to coffee. Following several meetings and discussions about GLBT and faith-group issues, the organizations decided to partner.

“I made it clear that the partnership was not meant to be a mission field for the organization. I wanted them to be our friends and love us for simply that,” said Linindoll

Chi Alpha decided to co-sponsor GSA’s “Hate Crime Panel”, which was assembled around a play about a horrific hate crime, The Laramie Project.

Since then, GSA meets with Chi Alpha through out the semester for different events, which includes pumpkin carving and the Super Bowl.

“For me personally, I think the coolest thing is watching two groups of people who vary widely on many issues laugh together, play together and essentially come to the conclusion that they actually like if not love each other,” explains Lori. “The awareness that they are not enemies, but can be very close friends in spite of the differences is like watching the beginnings of world peace.”

Members of GSA also enjoy the time they spend with Chi Alpha.

“It has always been an awesome time,” explains Jennifer Suidan, former GSA co-president who helped build the alliance between the two groups. “We always looked forward to having events with Chi Alpha. They are a great ally of our group and great friends. They don’t judge our members. Instead they build strong friendships.”

GSA and Chi Alpha will be cosponsoring a pumpkin carving event on Oct. 17, and Chi Alpha will be participating in a world mission summit Dec. 30-Jan. 1.