Overview

The CMIT Program

The Chi Alpha Campus Missionary in Training (CMIT) program is a 9 to 12 - month program corresponding to an academic year designed to train you in many aspects of vocational, full-time campus ministry. The program is a bridge between a college education and a career or vocational ministry. During this time a person can discern his or her calling into full-time university missions.

The CMIT program trains individuals under the guidance of experienced campus ministry leadership that are nationally approved to offer this program. Ultimately, this program is an invitation to be formed and developed while making an impact for the Kingdom on a university campus

Chi Alpha

Chi Alpha is a national network of campus ministries, founded in 1953 at Missouri State University, and is on more than 300 campuses throughout the US and the world today. Chi Alpha’s mission is to reconcile students to Christ, equipping them through Spirit-filled communities of prayer, worship, fellowship, discipleship, and mission to transform the university, the marketplace and the world.

Northeast Chi Alpha

Northeast Chi Alpha is one region within Chi Alpha. It comprises Chi Alpha’s in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington, DC, and most of Virginia and West Virginia.

  1. The highest concentration of colleges and universities in the US

  2. Six states in the Northeast ranked in Top 10 Religious States in 2024

  3. 1/3 of international students studying in the US are in the Northeast

  4. 29% of US universities with over 4,000 students are in the Northeast

  5. 4 out of the 6 largest urban centers for university students are here: New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, DC

Chi Alpha exists on 33 campuses out of the 185 campuses with over 4,000 students in the Northeast, currently the least reached area within Chi Alpha. We long to see God’s glory revealed throughout the Northeast by reaching students, sending out the next generation of Christian leaders, raising up missionaries, and pioneering on new campuses.

Program Details

Who is this program for?

Those considering full-time campus missions
This program is primarily designed to equip people to serve on a university as full-time Chi Alpha missionaries. CMIT graduates may pioneer new Chi Alpha groups, fill director vacancies, join a staff team, provide Chi Alpha leadership through a sponsoring church, or serve as missionaries on a foreign university.

Graduates wanting to give a year back
Chi Alpha graduates can give a year of service while gaining clarity on their vocational calling.

Future marketplace leaders
This program will be an investment in theology, spiritual growth, and ministry skills for people called to be marketplace leaders.

What you’ll develop

The CMIT program is a deep investment, demanding approximately 55-60 hours per week of involvement. The program is specifically designed to develop your character, intellect, and ministry skills:

Character This program is an opportunity to allow God to refine your character and deepen your communion with Him. Each CMIT meets regularly with a pastoral supervisor as a mentor and spiritual director.

Intellect The CMIT study program is an introduction to the landscape of biblical hermeneutics, theological foundations, and biblical thought on topics of importance to campus ministry. You will develop a firm theological foundation throughout the program and receive both the skills and knowledge needed to pursue a lifelong development of your intellect. This primarily takes place through weekly classes and study. You are eligible to pursue ministerial credentials with the Assemblies of God upon the completion of the program.

Ministry skills You can expect not only training, but the opportunity to do the work of the ministry. The program is designed to expose you to most of the skills essential to campus missionary leadership, e.g., discipleship and small group leading, developing leaders, campus evangelism, administration, ministry budget, critical thinking and planning, and public speaking.

The Process

Requirements to apply

Active follower of Jesus
Bachelor’s level degree
Commitment to the full 10-month program
Walking in freedom from addiction and pornography

Application to Program Start

  1. Complete application.

  2. Open a US Missions account for the purpose of receipting and disbursing funds.

  3. Register for and attend a Support Raising Training. Chi Alpha follows a well-researched and commonly practiced model for non-profit businesses. Similar models are used by organizations such as Cru, Navigators, and more. A CMIT must raise budget prior to the beginning of their program to cover their personal and businesses expenses for the program period in accordance with National Chi Alpha guidelines. Budget and local program fees vary from one program to another.

  4. Raise your personal and ministry budget throughout the summer. This is a full time commitment.

  5. Attend Reach the University Institute (RUI). RUI is Chi Alpha’s annual training conference and orientation required for CMITs. It takes places the first week of July in Springfield, MO.

Testimonials

  • Katherine Matsukawa (Yale '23, CMIT '24)

    “I learned so much about myself, God, and ministry through the fellowship. Through the examples of fellow staff members, I learned what healthy leadership and teamwork look like and what it means to be an intentional and prayerful team. The classes and cohorts deepened my understanding of who God is and the “why” behind what we do in ministry. It was also a year of growing spiritually as we were encouraged to prioritize abiding in God--and through practice and encouragement, I grew in prayer and other spiritual disciplines as well.”

  • Eric Young (Longwood '23, CMIT '24)

    “I got involved in Chi Alpha my junior year of college. By senior year the Lord had done great works delivering me from addiction and showing me what it meant to have a relationship with Him. I’d assumed that I would teach or go into Data Analytics, but the Lord broke my heart for students who did not know the Lord. It became clear God was calling me to do the CMIT program. After raising my budget, which was only done through the provision of the Lord, I began on campus. It was an amazing experience; I learned what leading in ministry looked like and continued to pray about what God intended for me. What I did not anticipate was how much I would love my CMIT classes. I learned about different aspects of faith and learned to seek God on topics I did not understand, seeing Him in more depth. I now serve on staff and its exciting to see how God continues to use my, ‘yes,’ daily.”

  • Ashley Granados-Chavez (Rutgers '20, CMIT '21)

    “While I learned a lot during my CMIT regarding theology and practical ministry skills, what struck me the most about this experience was how the Lord was using it to refine my character. I felt stretched the most emotionally and spiritually as God brought my preconceived ideas and expectations to the surface as I raised a budget, led students, and learned from my team about what ministry really looks like. I would really encourage those who believe the Lord is assigning them to ministry to walk through this internship because God cares deeply about who we are becoming, not just what we do.”

  • Isaac Stapleton (UVA '23, CMIT '24)

    “The support and mentorship of the UVA staff during my time as a CMIT helped me to grow as a person and as a Christ follower. I was given permission to make mistakes, taught how to receive feedback, and encouraged to use what I had learned for the flourishing of others. I also strengthened my understanding of being a pastor as I processed a call to lifelong ministry. The professional and personal lessons from the CMIT program will serve you in any career that you pursue. The Lord has more to do in and through you with Chi Alpha after graduation.”

  • T Scarborough (Yale '23, CMIT '24)

    “I gained a much more diverse, holistic understanding that everything that we do in worship and in devotion spills over into how our community works and how our responsibilities are fulfilled. I’ve acquired new ways to express the love and joy of a relationship with Christ to others and in my own personal time. This year has reminded me that students follow my example too. There’s a lot of power in that, and I can leverage that for good. God has repeatedly shown me the power of testimony and vulnerability, and he topped my year off with one of my guys who was brand new to faith getting baptized before he graduated in May. This program cemented the fact that I do have the capacity to make disciples wherever I go in the future, even if ministry is not my full-time job, and also the desire and need to do so no matter what I am doing or where I am.”

  • Kinsey Hissam (WVU '23, CMIT '24)

    The Lord has used the CMIT Program to disrupt and reconstruct (in the best way!) my idea of what being a Christian means. The lens in which I see the rest of my life and my duty as a Christian has been forever changed. Being a Chi Alpha small group leader was influential, (and my first step in taking on responsibility for the Kingdom!) but I was still always a student first who happened to make disciples. The internship gave me the space to find what it means to live out the Biblical calling to be a disciple first, a disciple maker second, and finally to do this in whatever assignment I’m given (career or position). Not only did the internship open my eyes to this, but it equipped me. I’m excited to enter the marketplace on mission for God, knowing now how to view my coworkers and peers through an eternal lens, and to act accordingly.

FAQs

  • We’re okay with that! We believe this program can be an intentional year of formation while serving a community. The experience on a team, development of practical and leadership skills, and growth in character is excellent preparation to make you a better employee, leader, church member, etc.

  • The program corresponds with an academic year, typically reporting in early August and lasting through the end of May. Prior to your start date, you will attend a Support Raising Training in the spring and participate in support raising during the summer. You will need to attend Reach the University to officially complete the program.

  • A college education is incredibly useful in Chi Alpha:

    • You understand the life and demands of a college student. You have greater credibility when relating to college students.

    • Because Chi Alpha reaches people in every area of study, your particular background and experience is uniquely useful for relating to college students.

    • There are diverse opportunities in Chi Alpha for skills such as market, graphic design, teaching, management, and more.

    God doesn’t waste our training, education, or experiences. Countless missionaries have shared testimonies of how their degree has opened unexpected doors as they obediently followed God.Parking is available for a daily fee at garages on/near campus and near University Baptist Church. Parking is not available at University Baptist Church.

  • Let’s reframe the question: would God be pleased to see you do this? For many of those who have taken a step of faith to give a year to Chi Alpha, there was less of a spiritual moment and more of a quiet obedience to offer the Lord these 10 months, knowing that He would meet them in it.

  • Talking with your current campus staff and mentors is a great next step! Reach out to the program contact for more information.

  • The CMIT program offers training and preparation that is useful for any future career, though it is particularly designed for a future career in missions.

    Upon completion of the program, participants may be eligible to lead or serve on a pioneering team or an established ministry team in the US or around the world. You will be eligible to apply for the first level of ministry credentials through the Assemblies of God upon completion of the program.

  • The term “fundraising” does not adequately describe the source of income for a career missionary. Chi Alpha, under the supervision of the Assemblies of God US Missions, follows a well-researched and commonly practiced model for non profit businesses. Similar models are used by other established organizations such as Cru, Navigators, Earthjustice, and more.

    • A national administrative office collects funds, disburses funds, and receipts donors for their contributions. Funds are disbursed by the office in a monthly check to you.

    • You will attend a Support Raising Training to learn the scriptural basis, goals, and methods of building and maintaining a support team. You will have a coach during the process.

    • CMITs receive ongoing training to act as good financial stewards by living on a disciplined budget, learning to pay and file self-employment taxes, and properly communicating with their ministry partners.

  • There are countless professional skills you can gain while serving as a campus missionary. To name just a few:

    • Management

    • Sales/networking

    • Adaptability

    • Logistics

    • Teaching and public speaking

    • Innovation

    • Raising up new leaders/recruitment

    • Consulting

    • Mentoring

    • Delegating work to others

    • Presiding over meetings

    • Fundraising

    • Writing

    • Event planning and implementation

    • Collaborating with other people

    • Team building

Next Steps

→ Apply at www.chialpha.com/cmit.

Application fee of $115. Increases to $175 on February 15, 2025.

→ Register for Support Raising Training.

Northeast Support Raising Training, April 11-12, 2025 in Charlottesville, VA.

Program Locations

Fairmont, WV

Contact | smhalbert@gmail.com

Fairmont State is a small state school in beautiful north central West Virginia. It is unique in that most of our students are from West Virginia and many of them are first generation college students. Part of the joy in ministering on our campus is that for many of our students, realizing they have a part to play in God’s global plan opens the door to a far bigger vision for their lives than they could have ever imagined! We also have a very supportive local church that loves our students & staff team incredibly well. Our CMITs join our staff team full of seasoned, but ever learning & growing campus missionaries. Our program is centered around discipleship to Jesus and discipling others out of that primary relationship. Our CMITs lead a life group, are a part of a Resource Group, are personally discipled by experienced staff members, lead campus evangelism, learn to study & preach, lead a mission trip, and learn to be a part of & serve the local church.

Fairmont State

Edinboro, PA

Contact | jonnichm@gmail.com

Settled in rural Pennsylvania, the Edinboro branch campus of Penn West University is located in a small town that thrives on campus life. Our heart for individuals accepted into our CMIT Program is that they would thrive as they receive invaluable training and experience. They will be able to step into whatever assignment God has for them in ministry or the marketplace with the confidence of a Spirit-empowered disciple of Jesus. CMITs will be part of a team that not only values giving them the space to grow and take ownership of the vision God is giving them during their time around the table, but one that is highly relational and values who they are as an image bearer of Christ. We are excited to potentially walk with you as you consider this next step in your journey!

Edinboro Chi Alpha

Longwood University & Hampden Sydney College

Farmville, VA

Contact | chriswleslie@gmail.com

Longwood University and Hampden-Sydney College Chi Alpha is uniquely made up of 2 campuses in our small town. Longwood is a majority female college with a population of ~5000, while HSC is one of three all male colleges left in the nation with a population of ~800. In addition to weekly services, small groups, and outreaches, we get to enjoy fishing, bonfires, lake retreats, and a small-town charm that makes it easy to find community. We also have a close connection with our local church that provides opportunities for more growth and personal discipleship. Our CMITs can expect to grow in their relationship and connection to God and to others, getting hands-on ministry opportunities, not only through small groups and large group, but also in other ways that help them use the gifts and talents God has given them.

Glassboro, NJ

Contact | xadrifter@gmail.com

Rowan University Chi Alpha is a multi-staff team with a wide range of experience. You will learn from veteran full-time missionaries with 15-30 years’ experience, early-career full-time missionaries with less than 10 years’ ministry experience, as well as volunteers who work a full-time job and have a similar range of longevity with Chi Alpha. This variety offers a unique staff model! Our CMIT program is located on the campus of Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ- just 30 minutes from downtown Philadelphia. This gives our program the unique advantage of working with the suburban state school campus of Rowan while also joining in the Chi Alpha work in the urban setting of Philadelphia on both larger state school campuses and elite private universities. The intern will spend most of their time at Rowan University engaging in weekly meetings, small groups, and staff development, as well as CMIT seminars, discussions, and experiences.

Rowan University

Queens, NY

Contact | olivia.loree@yahoo.com

Our mission is to make disciples of all nations, right in the heart of “the world’s borough,” Queens! Our vision is for university students to be won to Jesus, that His Kingdom would expand across the most influential city in our nation. Queens College is the biggest university in Queens and it is also one of the largest universities in NYC at 20,000 students of the 600,000 university students in NYC. Queens is one of five main boroughs in New York City and because of its incredible diversity it has been nicknamed “the world’s melting pot.” We love seeing the richness of that phrase ringing true at Queens College as well, with over 110 different languages spoken across our campus. As a CMIT at Queens Chi Alpha we look forward to equipping you uniquely for ministry in a diverse and very urban setting. Our hope is to develop our CMIT and staff members into ministers exhibiting great integrity, tenacity, grit, and resiliency. Our CMIT year is devoted to learning the outs & ins of campus ministry, as well as growing deeply in your own walk with God.

Queens Chi Alpha

Richmond, VA

Contact | mike@rvaxa.com

We believe a CMIT Program with Richmond Chi Alpha will successfully prepare future Chi Alpha campus missionaries. Due to its diverse student body and urban location, we believe it is well-fit to prepare people to serve on the culture-changing campuses of the American Northeast. Therefore, our primary aim is to prepare people to be eligible to serve as nationally appointed campus missionaries with Chi Alpha Campus Ministries. We desire to equip people to serve on the urban universities in the Northeast and foreign campus missions.

Richmond Chi Alpha

Charlottesville, VA

Contact | maddie@xaatuva.com

Chi Alpha at the University of Virginia has been a fruitful ministry for over 20 years. Our chapter of Chi Alpha can offer a broad range of experiences. As you serve and learn with our vibrant and established ministry you will be exposed to a strong discipleship model, an established missions culture, a diverse community, purposeful international student ministry and much more. As a highly selective, public institution, we believe that this ministry context is well-fit to prepare people to serve on elite campuses of the Northeast. Come expecting to grow in your theological understanding, strategic thinking, pastoral heart and ministry skills!

University of Virginia

Morgantown, WV

Contact | charles.sombrio@gmail.com

Our CMITs are called high to be learn to lead themselves, others and the masses to be disciples of Jesus who make disciples of Jesus. We strive to develop men and women into spiritually mature disciples who are then able to lead others and train them in leading others. Our primary focus will be on discipleship of college students, evangelizing the lost, and proclaiming the gospel where it is in great opposition at our campus, finally culminating in pushing back the darkness in the lives of students for eternity. You will focus in detail on loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and will soon see that as you develop deep roots fruit will be produced! Our team believes that Chi Alpha is a training ground, and you will discover that we work hard to train you in life and godliness, growing in maturity for the Kingdom of God. Our goal is to prepare you to live out the gospel in every area of life - home, work, and beyond!

West Virginia University

New Haven, CT

Contact | jenna.dejesus@yale.edu

Yale University was founded in 1701 with the motto “Lux et Veritas” (light and truth). It consistently ranks among the top 3 universities in the nation and within the top 12 globally. Yale Chi Alpha offers the only Chi Alpha training program on an Ivy League campus. Fellows will experience their apologetic being sharpened and a broadening of their evangelistic potential within a post-Christian elite culture. Yale is an ethnically rich community which provides cross-cultural ministry to future world changers. Our dream is to develop the next generation of Christian missionaries, pastors, and marketplace leaders. We desire to see fellows graduate from our program and become Chi Alpha Directors and staff at one of the hundreds of unreached campuses in New England or become a foreign missionary who has been well-trained to enter a new cultural context.

Yale University