Free Resource Friday | 11-1-13

 You might be ready for the weekend already, but don't forget to share this with a few friends first!  We search the web high and low to bring you quality resources at the wonderful cost of $0. Yeah, we try to be awesome. You can grab last week's resource here. 

Today's Free Resource » In A Pit With A Lion on A Snowy Day (Audiobook) by Mark Batterson

We found out about this resource from Tiffany Dukes. She works for National Community Church and volunteers at AU Chi Alpha.  

A lot of the DC Chi Alpha Staff have either heard the sermon series based on the book or read the book themselves. It's a national best-seller and it's even used by Elevation Church in their New Staff Orientation and their Intern Program. 

This was one of the most formative books I've read as it pertains to living intentionally without letting fear set the plans or direction. I'm so grateful for this resource and I find myself recommending it to students and adults often! - Blane Young

This is only available for a limited time via Christian Audio. Even if you've already read this book, send this link to your colleagues, friends or your church staff. 

Get It »

We'd love to know if this a resource that you'd consider using or have used in the past. If you have a resource you'd like to share, just email us! 

Listen to Messages from Beach Retreat 2013

We had the chance to hear from Ouida Bradford. She oversees Chi Alpha in the state of Georgia, often teaches at Atlantic Coast SICM and has been on the faculty of Reach the U for several years. All that to say, we think she's the real deal. You can connect with her on Facebook, if you'd like.  

She spoke three times over the weekend and we were able to record two of them. The last one was on the beach, so, yeah - we hope you took notes. 

Whether you joined us at #XABR13 or not, we hope that you'll find these teachings a wonderful resource as you personally encounter Jesus. 

Free Resource Friday | 10-25-13

We're bag from a quick hiatus but don't worry, we're not dissapearing again anytime soon! We search the web high and low to bring you quality resources at the wonderful cost of $0. Yeah, we try to be awesome. You can grab last week's resource here. 

Today's Free Resource » Christian Songwriter's Connection

We found out about this resource via Brad Russell on Social Media. He has pastored and led worship in several churches deep in the Bible Belt and has always been a strong supporter of Chi Alpha in his area. This is a new initiative put on by New Life Assembly's Worship Team. 

Maybe this can serve as a jumpstart to get your worship team (whether students or staff) to find ways to express themselves creatively while benefiting the entire community. Or perhaps you've always written songs for your services and this will serve as a connection point to connect with like-minded leaders. Wherever you're at, this resource just launched and we think it's going to be big - so bookmark it and come back often! 

Read More »

We'd love to know if this a resource that you'd consider using or have used in the past. If you have a resource you'd like to share, just email us! 

Lasting Impact

This is a post by Mike Godzwa. He is the Director of Chi Alpha at American University, leads the DC Internship (CMIT) Program and also serves as a Campus Pastor at NCC. You can connect with him via twitter.  

I met with Dan early on a Tuesday morning.  It wasn’t easy rolling out of bed @ 6am, but I was still glad to do it.  Dan’s a great friend.

I was first introduced to Dan almost 10 years ago when he was a freshman at American University.  Dan came from a Christian family, but like most college students he was still developing an adult understanding of his faith.  He got plugged into Chi Alpha right away.  It was in the midst of our group that he was able to wrestle with the questions that came from living for Jesus in a secular environment.  But he found more than answers.  Dan found a loving community, incredible opportunities for ministry and before he graduated in 2007, he even found his wife. 

What I love about campus ministry is the lasting impact of the work we do.  When students begin a discipleship journey in these formative years, it develops a foundation for their entire adult lives.  Dan is now 29 years old.  He’s a new father, faithful supporter of Chi Alpha and highly involved in the discipleship ministry at his church.  It filled me with joy to hear of how he was loving his wife and son.  I loved hearing about how he was engaged in significant conversations, helping others step into the blessings of God’s kingdom and I was humbled to realize Chi Alpha played a huge part in making those things happen.  

Dan came to campus as a kid from a Christian home.  He left campus as a maturing, ministering believer determined to be a life-long follower of Jesus.  Chi Alpha really does reach students, train leaders and influence nations and there’s nothing like seeing that play out...one life at a time.

At the Beach with 100+ Students

Beach Retreat - 2012

We've got over one hundred students from GMU, GU and AU that are traveling this weekend to be part of our Annual Fall Beach Retreat. Every year, this weekend is a time for students to press pause on the distractions of life and get out of their routine with the purpose of pursuing community and God.  

In years past, we've had students feel a calling to ministry as well as taking the step of being baptized in water.  

 Would you join with our staff in praying for this weekend? Specifically, we are asking God to assist us in our travels so that we make it there safely (we have 15+ vehicles in several caravans) and that students encounter God in a real way. 

We'll release all the audio recordings from our main sessions with Ouida Bradford and you can follow along this weekend on Facebook, Twitter by searching for the official hashtag which is #XABR13. 

 (Written by Blane Young)