Issue date: 9/17/08 Section: Features

Media Credit: Andrew Nixon Graduate in Psychology and Women's Studies, Michelle Soriano worships during a song at The Alpha Chi Christian Fellowship service. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Martin Wood [Click to enlarge]

Chris Lussier, 25, said he didn't always believe in God. When he was in his teens he considered himself to be a militant atheist. Five years ago, Lussier moved next door to a Christian family, that he said he saw as "weirdly nice." There were kids in the family and the mother often invited Lussier over for lunch or dinner.

Lussier noticed at dinner they always prayed before the meal. It wasn't a rehearsed prayer, it was what Lussier described as "from the heart" and everyone took a turn at saying the prayer. At first, he refused to pray, but that he did listen. Over time, he changed his view of Jesus and became a Christian.

Lussier is one of two pastors serving Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship, which follows a non-denominational program. Lussier has served as a pastor for the past year. He received his degree in psychology and interned for a year preparing to be a pastor.

Lussier wants people to know that helping people is his main concern.

"I believe that the spiritual needs are just as important as the practical, physical needs," Lussier said.

Lussier said their group is authentic and allows people to be vulnerable. Everyone trusts each other. Students can talk about things and feel safe.

"The biggest benefit is a long-term community, because you're not an isolated group just trying to do something, you realize you're a network of groups really trying to bring people together," said Lussier. "You meet people in other places that are part of Chi Alpha. It's a great network."

Chi Alpha meets at 7 p.m. every Friday evening in the Redwood Room at the Union.

There's around 40 members and the service begins with a live band that includes two guitarists, a keyboard player, a drummer and a singer. The hymns sound contemporary, not traditional. The students rise from their chairs and join in the singing and clapping. After singing two songs, Pastor Lussier comes onto the stage and tells a story.

Once the service is over, the group usually goes somewhere for entertainment or food. After the first meeting on Sept. 5, they all went to Leatherby's for free ice cream.

Karla Estrada is the other pastor serving Chi Alpha. She has served as pastor for two years and interned for one year. She was a student at Sac State in 1995 and helped start up the Chi Alpha Fellowship on campus.

"I became a member of Chi Alpha because I sensed that everybody was welcome here," said Estrada. "I didn't have to pretend to be someone I wasn't."

She said she felt broken and lost in her own problems at the time. She said the people at the fellowship didn't judge her; they just wanted to be her friend.

"I had in my mind that Christians were boring. Actually I thought, they have fun without drinking and they can remember what they did the next morning," Estrada said.

Estrada came here from Nicaragua. She said she loves learning about different cultures and enjoys working on building relationships with third culture students that have lived in multiple cultures and usually know more than one language.

Estrada explained there are a lot of fun things they do throughout the year. Lots of time is spent at Scandia during the summer. There are pool parties and barbecues, camping, skiing in the winter and going to movies.

Originally, Estrada's career choice was to be a therapist at UC Davis, which she did for awhile. Then she found what she loves to do and became a pastor.

"I plan on staying here for four years. My passion is to work with international students," said Estrada. "This will be my first year focusing on them."

Lisa Heldreth is a student who belongs to Chi Alpha. She has been a member for three years and is majoring in physics. She said she wants to teach physics in high school when she graduates.

She likes the group dynamics and feels accepted; they are like a family to her.

"Everyone genuinely cares about you," said Heldreth.

Heldreth looks forward to the big banquet at the end of spring semester where they announce the mission trips they are going on for the summer. There were two trips last summer. One was a Mexico mission where they helped a local orphanage, through physical labor and helping special needs kids.

Some of them helped out at a campus ministry in Argentina.

Kaycie Simmons, a student member of Chi Alpha sings with the group on stage Friday nights.

"The first time I got on the stage to sing I was so nervous," said Simmons.

Simmons is a business major and will graduate this semester.

"I love to organize things and last year set up a Wednesday morning prayer group that started at 7 a.m. We would pray for the campus and for situations taking place around the world," Simmons said.

Simmons' goal after graduation is to set up a program for Chi Alpha counselors to receive free housing. She's already working on the plans and looking forward to the future.

Sally King can be reached at sking@statehornet.com

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