Chi Alpha builds community and offers service opportunities at Montana Tech

Finding a sense of belonging can be one of the toughest parts of college. For Montana Tech nursing student Cassie Sampson, joining Chi Alpha Campus Ministries was the turning point that helped her feel at home.

“Freshman year, I was really struggling,” Sampson said. “I didn’t know anyone, and I didn’t feel connected. When I finally went to Chi Alpha in the spring, they immediately welcomed me in. People cared about me, and I quickly found a community.”

Despite sounding like a Greek organization, Chi Alpha—or XA, short for Christ’s Ambassadors—is a Christian student ministry dedicated to helping college students grow in faith while building friendships and giving back. At Montana Tech, the group is among the largest on campus, drawing 70–80 students weekly for worship, fellowship, and service projects.

Chi Alpha members are a familiar presence at big campus events. They volunteer during move-in day, serve food at tailgates, and help organize student activities. The group also hosts weekly Tuesday night meetings at 6:30 p.m. in the Copper Lounge.

Beyond campus, Chi Alpha students take part in mission trips and service projects. Past trips have included helping foster youth at Shiloh House in Denver and working with churches and community groups on the Blackfeet Reservation in Browning.

For Sampson, serving others has been one of the most rewarding parts of her Chi Alpha journey.

“There’s so much in college that’s hard to figure out—relationships, adulthood, being away from your family. Chi Alpha has become another family for me, and it’s given me guidance and purpose,” she said.

Now a student leader, Sampson leads a women’s small group and helps mentor members. She says her goal is to provide the same encouragement she once needed.

“For freshmen, a lot of people will offer advice to problems they will face. But those solutions can often lead you down the wrong path, into a deeper hole,” Sampson said. “Chi Alpha provides a solid community and foundation to stand on, a place where I know I have support and people I can trust when I’m going through something. Before, I didn’t know how I could make a difference, and now I do.”

Anyone is welcome at Chi Alpha, whether they’re lifelong believers or just curious. “If you have questions about God, we’d love to have conversations with you,” Sampson said. “We want to walk through life with everyone on this campus—whether or not they ever come to Chi Alpha.”

Chi Alpha will be recruiting new members at Club Rush, held in the courtyard from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on September 3. For more information email info@diggerxa.com.