COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – A suspended on-campus ministry at Texas A&M appears to be actively recruiting, according to reports.
Chi Alpha was suspended from campus, preventing the organization from participating in on-campus activities. Despite that, an article in the student newspaper, The Battalion, highlights how the group may be targeting incoming students.
In January, Texas A&M suspended Chi Alpha after investigations by law enforcement and university officials. At least six leaders from the College Station chapter are facing charges including Trafficking Minors, Sexual Abuse, and Indecency With a Child.
KBTX has been following multiple cases related to the group since September 2023.
Managing editor of The Battalion, Nicholas Gutteridge, spoke with KBTX about the article, saying he heard rumblings people were being approached by Chi Alpha representatives.
”A lot of these students Chi Alpha is targeting our international students; the freshmen students, lonely students, people who don’t have a place on campus yet and it’s important that we let them know that, ‘hey, Chi Alpha A&M is suspended for a reason,’” Gutteridge said.
This is why the article was published and made available on campus for the first day of classes.
”A lot of the students are returning from Chi Alpha and advertising on campus. Like for example in the story, one staff member spoke about it on a livestream to a private Facebook group for financial donors, but he said that he was talking to a lot of students on campus. Specifically, he mentioned international students that he was inviting to hang out with him for the entire day, and I really think it’s important to bring this to light,” explained Gutteridge.
The Battalion cited numerous internal conversations in private groups. Chi Alpha recruiting, online and on social media platforms, appears to be nonexistent. Still, Gutteridge said fundraising and recruiting efforts are happening.
”They keep themselves hidden and keep their Facebook groups closed, and do not post publicly about anything,” Gutteridge added. “They’re going to stay hidden, and that’s how I believe that they’re going to keep up this recruitment and keep up this kind of pseudo revival that they’re really aiming towards.”
KBTX has been covering charges and lawsuits against those connected with Chi Alpha and the church which was in partnership with the on-campus ministry, Mountain Valley Fellowship Church along with a church leader Daniel Savala. Savala, who was already a convicted sex offender, is facing charges of Trafficking a Minor and Continual Sexual Abuse of a Young Minor.
Four former Chi Alpha members are also facing charges of Indecency with a Child.
Arraignments are scheduled for William Johnson on August 20 at 3:00, Ryan Hoffart on August 27 at 2:30, Otto Randolph on August 27 at 3:00 and Alexander Owens on September 3 at 3:00.
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