By Isaiah Fowler

After nearly doubling its student membership during the 2025-26 academic year, Chi Alpha Campus Ministries concluded its campus operations at McNeese State University on April 29 under new director Justin Mullins.

Chi Alpha is a Christian organization for college students that operates on college campuses nationwide and is funded by the Assemblies of God USA. The ministry focuses on the discipleship of college students through small group settings such as Bible studies and larger worship services.

During the 2025-26 school year, Chi Alpha at McNeese underwent a leadership change. The ministry was taken over by first-year director Mullins, who previously served on staff for the Chi Alpha ministry at Nicholls State University.

McNeese State University junior Joseph Leonard said he appreciates Mullins taking over the ministry.

“Chi Alpha has definitely grown in the past year, we have more people coming to each service and more people are engaged,” Leonard said. “With Justin taking over, it has helped tremendously, Justin really cares about students and their mental, physical, and spiritual health. If we didn’t have Justin we wouldn’t be where we are now.”

The Chi Alpha ministry at McNeese increased from about 25 members to 43 members this school year, nearly doubling its attendance for its services and Bible studies.

Mullins said the ministry’s focus was all about talking and building relationships with students on campus.

“Engaging with the students on campus was the main focus this year,” Mullins said. “Every Thursday we had a table in the new student union to talk to students and introduce them to Chi Alpha. I am also on campus almost every day just talking to students and engaging with them.”

McNeese State University freshman Aiden Roche said he found out about the ministry through friends, but he really started attending because of the relationship he built with Mullins.

“Justin and I would see each other every Tuesday and talk,” Roche said. “He would answer my questions about God and faith. He was also just there for me whenever I needed him.”

Mullins said his plan for the next academic year is to continue to engage with students on campus, but to also have the members of the ministry do the same.

“I will always be on campus to talk to and engage with students,” Mullins said. “But it is very special when you have students in the ministry talking to their peers about Christ, and telling them that there is a place and community on campus where they can worship and learn more about Him.”

Chi Alpha Campus Ministries at McNeese State University will resume services and Bible studies at the beginning of the 2026-27 school year.