Chi Alpha, St. Thomas | Brent Silkey, Director, St. Paul Campuses
God is doing a new and beautiful thing at the University of St. Thomas. Students come to Chi Alpha every Wednesday night to lift up the name of Jesus on campus. Students share their testimonies, their friends come to support them, the Gospel is being proclaimed, the Word of God is being preached, students come to faith in Jesus, and they join discipleship groups throughout the week. New students join every week! Brent Silkey, St Paul Campuses (St. Thomas University, St. Catherine University, Hamline University, Concordia College St. Paul, and Macalester College) Chaplain, shared, “We have never seen anything quite like this on our campus, and we recognize the work and presence of the Holy Spirit here!”
Seven years ago, Chi Alpha Ministry Hub was launched at the University of St. Thomas, and God has been faithful through it all. Students describe Chi Alpha as “one of the most welcoming places they’ve ever experienced” and call it the highlight of their week. There is a great hunger for Christ-centered community on campus, a desire to discover the truth of God’s Word, and to reach out to those who may not yet know the hope of Jesus.
Barna Group says, “Only 4% of Gen Z have a Biblical worldview,” so Chi Alpha wants to equip every student with the Word of God. They’ve given more than 56 students a Bible in the first seven weeks of the school year. Small groups meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Then, they dive into the Word at Chi Alpha every Wednesday evening. It is a beautiful thing to see so many students learning how to build their lives on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ and His Word.
Since school began seven weeks ago, 35 St. Thomas students have begun their faith journey with Jesus. Praise be to God! Jesus is drawing the next generation to Himself, and it is one of the greatest honors to serve them and to equip them to fulfill the Great Commission on campus and to transform the university, the marketplace, and the world.
Special thanks and honor to all the church partners, supporters, and prayer partners. Chi Alpha could not do this ministry without their generosity and support. Brent shares, “We are grateful to everyone with a heart to reach the next generation with the hope of Jesus!”
Currently, Chi Alpha serves 36 campuses throughout Minnesota, led by eight MN ministers.
