Chi Alpha expands their Expansion

Members help to build deck

As Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) welcomes back students and faculty, campus organizations are hoping to get students more involved. TAMUK’s Chi Alpha is beginning its new outdoor project in order to make students and members more comfortable coming together. 

Chi Alpha recently hosted a fundraiser through Managing Missions, to add on an outdoor deck to the Expansion, which is what the group’s building is called. The fundraiser was set to be hosted for a few weeks but within four to five days, donations were flooding in. 

Derek Bruce, a graduate student and member of Chi Alpha, said with the help of the community and local churches, Chi Alpha reached half of its goal within one day of hosting the fundraiser.

As of now the project is in the beginning stages of construction with students and staff members framing and building the deck. Construction for the deck will be done in the mornings to take advantage of the early cool and comfortable weather. 

President Linda Williams said having members of Chi Alpha help construct the deck shows the unity and community of the organization. 

With summer coming to an end and fall around the corner the deck will help Chi Alpha with its events and student gatherings while serving as extra space to follow COVID-19 guidelines. 

“The deck will be used to hold services, small groups, band practices and even staff meetings,” student Toni Mata said. “You’re still more than welcome to continue wearing a mask if you choose to do so, there are hand sanitizers placed throughout the Expansion.”

Any further projects for Chi Alpha or the Expansion are coordinated by staff members during their weekly staff meetings to discuss finances or fundraising ideas for the current semester and semesters to follow. Chi Alpha is a campus ministry where young men and women come together with the same dream of seeing lives changed through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Any student wanting to attend or has questions can look up Chi Alpha with their social media handles or visit the Expansion during their weekly services.