Family Fridays game night unites XULA community
September 6, 2024
By: Aamari Benford, Contributor
Xavier’s Chi Alpha organization hosted a game night for its first Family Fridays event on Sept. 6. Students had a chance to connect as they indulged in food and card games at the University Center.
“When I was applying to schools, I specifically looked for a Chi Alpha community, and I was surprised to find it here at Xavier,” said Kutemwa Masafwa, a senior chemistry major who also serves as a Lifegroup leader and the treasurer for Chi Alpha. She’s an international student from Zambia, and she joined Xavier’s branch of the organization her freshman year.
“Zambia is a predominantly Christian nation, and Chi Alpha is huge there. Chi Alpha means so much to me…Finding Chi Alpha here was an answer to my prayers. It’s helped me settle into this new country and connect with new people,” she said.
Masafwa said that they had a good turnout for their first event of the year. Although the event may seem simple, she stressed the importance of events like theirs on campus. “Even by just sitting and playing games, you never know what kind of day someone has had or how they view Xavier,” Masafwa said.
“Someone might be thinking they have no friends or that no one is friendly. But here, everyone is genuinely friendly and welcoming,” she added.
Morgan Fulton, a campus pastor who also serves as a national chapter advisor for Chi Alpha, said the organization is committed to creating a supportive environment. “I believe that everyone should have a safe and warm opportunity to explore faith,” Fulton said.
“Your spiritual life is just as important as your mental, physical, and educational health. We want to provide a space where people can grow spiritually, feel safe, celebrated, and welcomed,” she added.
Isaac Fulton, a first-year counseling graduate student who now serves as a campus pastor and president of Chi Alpha at Xavier, spoke about how important Family Fridays are for Chi Alpha. “It’s a big outreach effort to plug into smaller parts of our community,” he said.
The relationships they build at game nights and other Friday events help get students excited to come to the bible studies and worship nights later, Fulton said.
Issac Fulton shared an inspirational verse with the other students at the event. He reflected on the relevance of Isaiah 40: 31:
“Being at Xavier can be challenging. This verse is a reminder that by trusting in God and waiting on the Lord, you will find the strength you need to get through it,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of the Family Fridays events in building community and reaching out to freshmen. “We want freshmen to be part of our group so they can enjoy good, healthy fun and find a supportive community,” Isaac added.
