Christian fraternity
Encyclopedia
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! Year founded !! Fraternity !! Active chapters !! Locations
|-
| 1925 || ΣΘΕ - Sigma Theta Epsilon
|| 12 || OH, WV, TX, IL, OK, MO
|-
| 1925 || ΒΣΨ - Beta Sigma Psi
|| 10 || IL, IN, IA, KS, MO, NY, NE, OH
|-
| 1927 || ΑΓΩ - Alpha Gamma Omega
|| 10 || CA, CO
|-
| 1929 || ΦΑΚ - Phi Alpha Kappa || 1 || MI
|-
| 1960 || APiK - Alpha Pi Kappa || 1 || TX
|-
| 1985 || ΒΥΧ - Beta Upsilon Chi
|| 27 || TX, OK, TN, AR, MS, GA, MO, FL, CO, LA, AL, NC, KS
|-
| 1987 || ΧΑΩ - Chi Alpha Omega || 3 || NC
|-
| 1988 || ΓΦΔ - Gamma Phi Delta || 14 || TX, CT, AL, MI, OK, NC
|-
| 1988 || ANΩ - Alpha Nu Omega
|| 19 || MD, DC, NJ, NC, FL, OH, PA, NY, TX, IN, TN, DE,
|-
| 1988 || ΦΚΧ - Phi Kappa Chi || 1 || TX
|-
| 1990 || ZΦZ - Zeta Phi Zeta (Zeta Omicron Epsilon) || 17 || IL, FL, AR, TX, IA, AL
|-
| 1993 || ΚΥΧ - Kappa Upsilon Chi
|| 9 || TX, GA, NM, OK, FL, TN, KY, SC
|-
| 1994 || AΩ - Alpha Omega || 7 || MI, OH
|-
| 1996 || ΩΦΘ - Omega Phi Theta || 3 || CA
|-
| 1998 || ΔΟΓ - Delta Omicron Gamma
|| 1 || GA
|-
| 1999 || ΓΨΛ - Gamma Psi Lambda
|| 5 || GA, AZ, AL
|-
| 1999 || MOG - Men of God
|| 2 || TX
|-
| 1999 || ΑΙΩ - Alpha Iota Omega || 2 || NC
|-
| 1999 || ASUF - Anointed Students In Unity Fellowship || 8 || GA, FL
|-
| 2001 || ΜΟΓ - Mu Omicron Gamma
|| 3 || VA
|-
| 2001 || "ΛΣΦ" -Lambda Sigma Phi ||1||AL
|-
| 2002 || ΑΩΘ - Alpha Omega Theta || 6 || MO
|-
| 2002 || ΦΓΓ - Phi Gamma Gamma || 2 || VA
|-
| 2004 || ΚΦE - Kappa Phi Epsilon
|| 1 || FL
|-
| 2004 || ΜΛΨ - Mu Lambda Psi || 1 || CA
|-
| 2004 || ΦΩΣ - Phi Omega Sigma || 2 || MO
|-
| 2005 || ΔAX' - Delta Alpha Chi || 1 || OK
|-
| 2006 || ΜΠΦ - Mu Pi Phi || 1 || KY
|-
| 2010 || ΦΗΧ - Phi Eta Chi Christian Fraternity || 1 || TX
|}
While the traditional social fraternity
is a well-established mainstay across the United States
at institutions of higher learning, alternatives - in the form of social fraternities that require doctrinal
and behavioral conformity to the Christian
faith - developed in the early twentieth century which continue to grow in size and popularity today.
Newton D. Baker (Johns Hopkins, 1892)
Darren White (Kappa Upsilon Chi Alpha class, TTU 1993, Philippians 4:13)
, Beta Sigma Psi
, and Alpha Gamma Omega
, and are active still today.
, founded in 1925, and Sigma Epsilon Theta, founded in 1936 at Indiana University
. The merged fraternity was initially called Delta Sigma Theta, but the name was changed to Sigma Theta Epsilon
in 1949 when a national sorority for African-American women that was already using the name Delta Sigma Theta
threatened legal action.
By the late 1950s. Sigma Theta Epsilon
had grown to over twenty chapters. However, its numbers began to decline at the end of the 1960s. The fraternity became non-denominational in 1968. Down to only three chapters by the 1980s, Sigma Theta Epsilon
began chartering new chapters again in 1988. The fraternity currently has twelve active chapters.
was founded as a national fraternity for Lutheran students in 1925 at the University of Illinois, which is home to the largest Greek System in the United States. The fraternity had its origins in the concerns of the Rev. Frederick William Gustav Stiegemeyer, the son of a Lutheran pastor, who had been entrusted with the spiritual care of Lutheran students at the University of Illinois. In the fall of 1919, he organized the Lutheran Illini League with a nucleus of ten students. At that time their intentions was to do no more than meet once or twice a week for religious instruction and discussion on contemporary issues. In the fall of 1920, now with twenty members, the Lutheran Illini League rented a house, and in early 1921 was reorganized as the Concordia Club. By 1923 the group regularly participated in campus activities; so much so that they began being referred to as the "Concordia Fraternity." On April 17, 1925, incorporation papers were filed for Beta Sigma Psi National Lutheran Fraternity in Springfield
, Illinois. By 1970, Beta Sigma Psi
had grown to eighteen chapters. The fraternity currently has nine active chapters.
was established in 1927 on the campus of UCLA. The fraternity suffered a decline in chapters and membership before experiencing extensive national growth starting in 1987. There are currently ten active chapters.
Beta Upsilon Chi
was founded in 1985 on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin
followed by Gamma Phi Delta also founded on the UT campus in 1988, while Kappa Upsilon Chi
was founded in 1993 on the campus of Texas Tech University
.
Beta Upsilon Chi
founders declared it to be an alternative to the stereotypical fraternal lifestyle and set its purpose as "establishing brotherhood and unity among college men, based upon the common bond of Jesus Christ
." Though originally conceived as a local Christian fraternity, efforts from Christian students at neighboring Texas
schools convinced the founders of BYX to initiate new members and colonize new chapters. In 1989, BYX leaders initiated men from Texas Christian University
to colonize Beta Chapter of Beta Upsilon Chi
.
In 1993, Kappa Upsilon Chi
was founded by men who led Christian ministries and were members of Phi Gamma Delta
social fraternity at Texas Tech. The fraternity sought to be a social alternative for Christian men. While it had no intentions of expanding originally, the fraternity grew rapidly.
The influence of Beta Upsilon Chi on the Christian fraternity movement has been significant. In 1988, only three years after its founding, women from Texas
established Sigma Phi Lambda
, or Sisters for the Lord. This women's Christian sorority was heavily modeled on BYX and is considered by many to be its sister sorority.
As Beta Upsilon Chi
inspired Sigma Phi Lambda
's establishment, Kappa Phi Epsilon
inspired the establishment of Theta Alpha and Delta Alpha Chi, two separate Christian sororities established in the state of Florida
.
Today, fifty-five chapters of Christian GLO's (Greek letter organizations) trace their roots back to the Texas Movement. Beta Upsilon Chi and Sigma Phi Lambda can both trace their inspiration to the start in 1985.
BYX, with twenty-four chapters in Texas
, Oklahoma
, Tennessee
, Arkansas
, Mississippi
, Georgia
, Missouri
, Florida
, Louisiana
, Colorado
and Alabama
and potential chapters in North Carolina
, Ohio
, and California
, remains the largest Christian fraternity in the United States
.
Mississippi is the first state to offer a Christian fraternity at all of its comprehensive 4 year universities.
The organization exists as one organization but operates as two distinct entities: a fraternity and sorority. The two are bound by one constitution. There are currently 16 active chapters.
Alpha Omega Co-ed Christian Fraternity, Incorporated was founded in 1994 by Donyll Lewis on the campus of Western Michigan University
in Kalamazoo, Michigan
. The vision of Alpha Omega is based on Revelation
1:8 and the question, "Why join a man-made fraternity when the body of Christ is the largest fraternity in the world?"
Alpha Omega is both coed and multicultural. All members come together with "One Vision and One Heart" for the purpose of "Building Stronger Christians, Witnessing to those who do not know Christ, Setting up Programs fitting that of Christian Living and Meeting the Concerns of the Students on and off campus and Ensuring Educational Success of its members and non-members."
The fraternity is based in Michigan
. It has chapters as far north as Ferris State University
in Big Rapids, Michigan
and as far south as the University of Toledo
in Toledo, Ohio
. Website: http://www.alphaomegacm.com/aocmonline/
Anointed Students In Unity Fellowship was founded on August 13, 1999 on the campus of Albany State University and incorporated on May 30, 2000. Founded by Shannon Thomas and 14 other students, ASUF has grown to eight chapters in Georgia and Florida.
Seeing the need for UNITY amongst Christian men in his community and surrounding areas, Mario Jimerson began to seek God through Prayer & Fasting. He was not sure about which way to go or what to do. He was awakened from his sleep one night with a vision to start a new Christian Fraternity. This new organization would exemplify True Brotherhood and the connection Man needs to have in order to commune with God once again. In his vision, Mario saw the colors and the name of this new fraternity. With this, he began to write the Constitution and By-Laws. On Tuesday June 10, 2008 Theta Nu Gamma Christian Fraternity was birthed in Phoenix, Arizona
. The God given commission is to teach Men to be Leaders in the Body of Christ and take their rightful place as head of the home.
Website http://www.thetanugamma.net
at Georgia Tech which marked itself Christian in 1974. The chapter operates as a social fraternity maintaining a full social calendar and competing alongside other IFC fraternities in Greek Week and Homecoming events, but also places large emphasis on outreach to the campus and focusing on pursuing Biblical masculinity and Christian brotherhood. It has since expanded this model to a second chapter at Georgia Southern University after attempts to colonize at University of Georgia were blocked by an already active chapter of BYX. Advantages of this model include the aspects of the Christian fraternity mission and lifestyle while retaining organizational benefits of full IFC membership and a more traditional involvement in the Greek system.
have clashed over the University's anti-discrimination policy. The fraternity refused to agree to the policy, which banned religious discrimination. As a result, Alpha Iota Omega was not officially recognized by the university for the 2003-2004 academic year. The fraternity sought assistance from the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education
, a civil liberties group, and the Alliance Defense Fund
, an American legal alliance defending religious liberties. A lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina on August 25, 2004, citing the incident in Fall 2003 when UNC administrator Jonathan Curtis refused to extend the benefits of official recognition to AIO.
This is not the first legal scuffle between a Christian organization and the University of North Carolina administration, and the university has stated that Intervarsity Christian Fellowship
's policy that leaders must be Christian is also discriminatory. The lawsuit is currently pending.
, was not registered as a student organization by University officials "because the group requires its members and officers to share the group’s Christian beliefs."
After months of negotiation between University officials, student officers of the local chapter, and officials at the fraternity's national headquarters in Texas, attorneys with the Christian Legal Society
and Alliance Defense Fund
filed a civil rights suit on December 6, 2006 in federal court
against the University
on behalf of Beta Upsilon Chi.
The next day, December 7, published reports in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution indicated that "the University [would] remove the religion clause from the [University's anti-discrimination] policy for the Christian fraternity to settle this particular situation and is discussing 'an exception to religious discrimination (that) could be put into place much like an exception to gender discrimination is in place for same-sex social fraternities and sororities.'"
! Year founded !! Fraternity !! Active chapters !! Locations
|-
| 1925 || ΣΘΕ - Sigma Theta Epsilon
Sigma Theta Epsilon
Sigma Theta Epsilon is an interdenominational national Christian fraternal organization. It is the oldest Christian Fraternity in the United States, tracing its history to its founding in 1925 at Lincoln, Nebraska...
|| 12 || OH, WV, TX, IL, OK, MO
|-
| 1925 || ΒΣΨ - Beta Sigma Psi
Beta Sigma Psi
Beta Sigma Psi National Lutheran Fraternity is a pan Lutheran fraternity and is the second oldest Christian fraternal organization in the United States of America. Founded at the University of Illinois in 1925, ΒΣΨ has more than 7,500 initiated members. With 10 chapters and colonies in 7 states,...
|| 10 || IL, IN, IA, KS, MO, NY, NE, OH
|-
| 1927 || ΑΓΩ - Alpha Gamma Omega
Alpha Gamma Omega
Alpha Gamma Omega is a national, Christ-Centered fraternity. It was founded in 1927 at UCLA, making it one of the oldest national fraternities in the United States that has retained its Christian values. There were 12 original charter members, with E. Harlan Fischer appointed as the first...
|| 10 || CA, CO
|-
| 1929 || ΦΑΚ - Phi Alpha Kappa || 1 || MI
|-
| 1960 || APiK - Alpha Pi Kappa || 1 || TX
|-
| 1985 || ΒΥΧ - Beta Upsilon Chi
Beta Upsilon Chi
Beta Upsilon Chi,or ΒΥΧ , is the largest Christian social fraternity in the United States. Since its founding at the University of Texas in 1985, ΒΥΧ has spread to twenty-four campuses in twelve states...
|| 27 || TX, OK, TN, AR, MS, GA, MO, FL, CO, LA, AL, NC, KS
|-
| 1987 || ΧΑΩ - Chi Alpha Omega || 3 || NC
|-
| 1988 || ΓΦΔ - Gamma Phi Delta || 14 || TX, CT, AL, MI, OK, NC
|-
| 1988 || ANΩ - Alpha Nu Omega
Alpha Nu Omega
Alpha Nu Omega is a national Greek letter organization founded in 1988 that comprises both a fraternity and sorority under one Constitution. The Constitution mandates that both branches of ANQ are Christian social Greek letter organizations.-History:...
|| 19 || MD, DC, NJ, NC, FL, OH, PA, NY, TX, IN, TN, DE,
|-
| 1988 || ΦΚΧ - Phi Kappa Chi || 1 || TX
|-
| 1990 || ZΦZ - Zeta Phi Zeta (Zeta Omicron Epsilon) || 17 || IL, FL, AR, TX, IA, AL
|-
| 1993 || ΚΥΧ - Kappa Upsilon Chi
Kappa Upsilon Chi
Kappa Upsilon Chi is a national men's fraternity composed of Christian collegians seeking to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Kappa Upsilon Chi was founded in 1993 at Texas Tech University....
|| 9 || TX, GA, NM, OK, FL, TN, KY, SC
|-
| 1994 || AΩ - Alpha Omega || 7 || MI, OH
|-
| 1996 || ΩΦΘ - Omega Phi Theta || 3 || CA
|-
| 1998 || ΔΟΓ - Delta Omicron Gamma
Delta Omicron Gamma
Delta Omicron Gamma is a nationally incorporated co-ed Christan service college fraternity founded at the University of Tennessee at Martin on April 9, 1998....
|| 1 || GA
|-
| 1999 || ΓΨΛ - Gamma Psi Lambda
Gamma Psi Lambda
Gamma Psi Lambda Christian Fellowship, Inc., is a Co-Ed based Christian Fraternity Fraternal Organization comprising Collegiate Based Membership as well as a Professional Based Membership. Currently there are Chapters in Georgia, Arizona, Alabama, North Carolina.-Founding:Founded on the campus of...
|| 5 || GA, AZ, AL
|-
| 1999 || MOG - Men of God
Men of God
Men of God is a Christian fraternity founded in 1999 with two chapters in Texas. Its members are primarily African Americans.-History of M.O.G.:The first meeting held by the founders was on December 5, 1999 at one of the founder’s apartments...
|| 2 || TX
|-
| 1999 || ΑΙΩ - Alpha Iota Omega || 2 || NC
|-
| 1999 || ASUF - Anointed Students In Unity Fellowship || 8 || GA, FL
|-
| 2001 || ΜΟΓ - Mu Omicron Gamma
Mu Omicron Gamma
Mu Omicron Gamma is a Christian fraternity founded in 2001 at Old Dominion University.-Chapters:It has three chapters in Virginia:* Αlpha - Old Dominion University* Βeta - Hampton University* Gamma - Norfolk State University-History:...
|| 3 || VA
|-
| 2001 || "ΛΣΦ" -Lambda Sigma Phi ||1||AL
|-
| 2002 || ΑΩΘ - Alpha Omega Theta || 6 || MO
|-
| 2002 || ΦΓΓ - Phi Gamma Gamma || 2 || VA
|-
| 2004 || ΚΦE - Kappa Phi Epsilon
Kappa Phi Epsilon
Kappa Phi Epsilon, or Kappa Phi, is the largest Christian social fraternity in the State of Florida. The mission of Kappa Phi is to expand beyond general men's ministry and to be a fraternity which uniquely focuses on engaging both the Greek communities and Christian communities with their...
|| 1 || FL
|-
| 2004 || ΜΛΨ - Mu Lambda Psi || 1 || CA
|-
| 2004 || ΦΩΣ - Phi Omega Sigma || 2 || MO
|-
| 2005 || ΔAX' - Delta Alpha Chi || 1 || OK
|-
| 2006 || ΜΠΦ - Mu Pi Phi || 1 || KY
|-
| 2010 || ΦΗΧ - Phi Eta Chi Christian Fraternity || 1 || TX
|}
While the traditional social fraternity
Fraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
is a well-established mainstay across the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
at institutions of higher learning, alternatives - in the form of social fraternities that require doctrinal
Doctrine
Doctrine is a codification of beliefs or a body of teachings or instructions, taught principles or positions, as the body of teachings in a branch of knowledge or belief system...
and behavioral conformity to the Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
faith - developed in the early twentieth century which continue to grow in size and popularity today.
What is a Fraternity?
A fraternity is an association of men, selected in their college days by a democratic process, because of their adherence to common ideals and aspirations. Out of their association arises a personal relationship which makes them unselfishly seek to advance on another in the arts of life and to add, to the formal instruction of the college curriculum, the culture, and the character which men acquire by contact with great personalities, or when admitted to partnership in great traditions.Newton D. Baker (Johns Hopkins, 1892)
The Christian Response
The words of Newton Baker are strong ones that describe accurately the matrix of a fraternal organization. [A Christian Fraternity] is a fraternity in all of these respects, but has been taken a step farther than that of a standard fraternity. We are bound by friendship, honor, and common interests. However, we are first and foremost bound by the love of Jesus Christ, God’s son, our Savior. Because of this we can do all things!Darren White (Kappa Upsilon Chi Alpha class, TTU 1993, Philippians 4:13)
Early twentieth century
Several Christian fraternities were established in the early part of the 20th century; the three largest were Sigma Theta EpsilonSigma Theta Epsilon
Sigma Theta Epsilon is an interdenominational national Christian fraternal organization. It is the oldest Christian Fraternity in the United States, tracing its history to its founding in 1925 at Lincoln, Nebraska...
, Beta Sigma Psi
Beta Sigma Psi
Beta Sigma Psi National Lutheran Fraternity is a pan Lutheran fraternity and is the second oldest Christian fraternal organization in the United States of America. Founded at the University of Illinois in 1925, ΒΣΨ has more than 7,500 initiated members. With 10 chapters and colonies in 7 states,...
, and Alpha Gamma Omega
Alpha Gamma Omega
Alpha Gamma Omega is a national, Christ-Centered fraternity. It was founded in 1927 at UCLA, making it one of the oldest national fraternities in the United States that has retained its Christian values. There were 12 original charter members, with E. Harlan Fischer appointed as the first...
, and are active still today.
Sigma Theta Epsilon
Sigma Theta Epsilon is the result of the merger of two local Methodist-affiliated fraternities in 1941: Phi Tau ThetaPhi Tau Theta
A group of Methodist men in the Wesley Foundation at the University of South Dakota had been carrying on a program as a religious fraternity, which they called Phi Lambda Phi, for some time when it occurred to them that perhaps men in other Wesley Foundations had similar groups which could be...
, founded in 1925, and Sigma Epsilon Theta, founded in 1936 at Indiana University
Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana University Bloomington is a public research university located in Bloomington, Indiana, in the United States. IU Bloomington is the flagship campus of the Indiana University system. Being the flagship campus, IU Bloomington is often referred to simply as IU or Indiana...
. The merged fraternity was initially called Delta Sigma Theta, but the name was changed to Sigma Theta Epsilon
Sigma Theta Epsilon
Sigma Theta Epsilon is an interdenominational national Christian fraternal organization. It is the oldest Christian Fraternity in the United States, tracing its history to its founding in 1925 at Lincoln, Nebraska...
in 1949 when a national sorority for African-American women that was already using the name Delta Sigma Theta
Delta Sigma Theta
Delta Sigma Theta is a non-profit Greek-lettered sorority of college-educated women who perform public service and place emphasis on the African American community. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was founded on January 13, 1913 by twenty-two collegiate women at Howard University...
threatened legal action.
By the late 1950s. Sigma Theta Epsilon
Sigma Theta Epsilon
Sigma Theta Epsilon is an interdenominational national Christian fraternal organization. It is the oldest Christian Fraternity in the United States, tracing its history to its founding in 1925 at Lincoln, Nebraska...
had grown to over twenty chapters. However, its numbers began to decline at the end of the 1960s. The fraternity became non-denominational in 1968. Down to only three chapters by the 1980s, Sigma Theta Epsilon
Sigma Theta Epsilon
Sigma Theta Epsilon is an interdenominational national Christian fraternal organization. It is the oldest Christian Fraternity in the United States, tracing its history to its founding in 1925 at Lincoln, Nebraska...
began chartering new chapters again in 1988. The fraternity currently has twelve active chapters.
Beta Sigma Psi
Beta Sigma PsiBeta Sigma Psi
Beta Sigma Psi National Lutheran Fraternity is a pan Lutheran fraternity and is the second oldest Christian fraternal organization in the United States of America. Founded at the University of Illinois in 1925, ΒΣΨ has more than 7,500 initiated members. With 10 chapters and colonies in 7 states,...
was founded as a national fraternity for Lutheran students in 1925 at the University of Illinois, which is home to the largest Greek System in the United States. The fraternity had its origins in the concerns of the Rev. Frederick William Gustav Stiegemeyer, the son of a Lutheran pastor, who had been entrusted with the spiritual care of Lutheran students at the University of Illinois. In the fall of 1919, he organized the Lutheran Illini League with a nucleus of ten students. At that time their intentions was to do no more than meet once or twice a week for religious instruction and discussion on contemporary issues. In the fall of 1920, now with twenty members, the Lutheran Illini League rented a house, and in early 1921 was reorganized as the Concordia Club. By 1923 the group regularly participated in campus activities; so much so that they began being referred to as the "Concordia Fraternity." On April 17, 1925, incorporation papers were filed for Beta Sigma Psi National Lutheran Fraternity in Springfield
Springfield, Illinois
Springfield is the third and current capital of the US state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County with a population of 117,400 , making it the sixth most populated city in the state and the second most populated Illinois city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area...
, Illinois. By 1970, Beta Sigma Psi
Beta Sigma Psi
Beta Sigma Psi National Lutheran Fraternity is a pan Lutheran fraternity and is the second oldest Christian fraternal organization in the United States of America. Founded at the University of Illinois in 1925, ΒΣΨ has more than 7,500 initiated members. With 10 chapters and colonies in 7 states,...
had grown to eighteen chapters. The fraternity currently has nine active chapters.
Alpha Gamma Omega
Alpha Gamma OmegaAlpha Gamma Omega
Alpha Gamma Omega is a national, Christ-Centered fraternity. It was founded in 1927 at UCLA, making it one of the oldest national fraternities in the United States that has retained its Christian values. There were 12 original charter members, with E. Harlan Fischer appointed as the first...
was established in 1927 on the campus of UCLA. The fraternity suffered a decline in chapters and membership before experiencing extensive national growth starting in 1987. There are currently ten active chapters.
Late twentieth century
At the same time that the historic Christian fraternities were beginning to rebound from their declining numbers, other groups of Christian fraternities were developed. Much of this is associated with the rise of the Evangelical Christian movement. The largest, Beta Upsilon Chi, directly led to the founding of three other Christian Greek-letter organizations; the second-largest, Alpha Nu Omega, was founded three years later.Origins in Austin
Beta Upsilon Chi
Beta Upsilon Chi
Beta Upsilon Chi,or ΒΥΧ , is the largest Christian social fraternity in the United States. Since its founding at the University of Texas in 1985, ΒΥΧ has spread to twenty-four campuses in twelve states...
was founded in 1985 on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
followed by Gamma Phi Delta also founded on the UT campus in 1988, while Kappa Upsilon Chi
Kappa Upsilon Chi
Kappa Upsilon Chi is a national men's fraternity composed of Christian collegians seeking to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Kappa Upsilon Chi was founded in 1993 at Texas Tech University....
was founded in 1993 on the campus of Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University, often referred to as Texas Tech or TTU, is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas, United States. Established on February 10, 1923, and originally known as Texas Technological College, it is the leading institution of the Texas Tech University System and has the...
.
Beta Upsilon Chi
Beta Upsilon Chi
Beta Upsilon Chi,or ΒΥΧ , is the largest Christian social fraternity in the United States. Since its founding at the University of Texas in 1985, ΒΥΧ has spread to twenty-four campuses in twelve states...
founders declared it to be an alternative to the stereotypical fraternal lifestyle and set its purpose as "establishing brotherhood and unity among college men, based upon the common bond of Jesus Christ
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
." Though originally conceived as a local Christian fraternity, efforts from Christian students at neighboring Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
schools convinced the founders of BYX to initiate new members and colonize new chapters. In 1989, BYX leaders initiated men from Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ...
to colonize Beta Chapter of Beta Upsilon Chi
Beta Upsilon Chi
Beta Upsilon Chi,or ΒΥΧ , is the largest Christian social fraternity in the United States. Since its founding at the University of Texas in 1985, ΒΥΧ has spread to twenty-four campuses in twelve states...
.
Starting from Lubbock
In 1993, Kappa Upsilon Chi
Kappa Upsilon Chi
Kappa Upsilon Chi is a national men's fraternity composed of Christian collegians seeking to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Kappa Upsilon Chi was founded in 1993 at Texas Tech University....
was founded by men who led Christian ministries and were members of Phi Gamma Delta
Phi Gamma Delta
The international fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta is a collegiate social fraternity with 120 chapters and 18 colonies across the United States and Canada. It was founded at Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, in 1848, and its headquarters are located in Lexington, Kentucky, USA...
social fraternity at Texas Tech. The fraternity sought to be a social alternative for Christian men. While it had no intentions of expanding originally, the fraternity grew rapidly.
Expansion to women
The influence of Beta Upsilon Chi on the Christian fraternity movement has been significant. In 1988, only three years after its founding, women from Texas
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
established Sigma Phi Lambda
Sigma Phi Lambda
-History:Sigma Phi Lambda was founded in 1988 at the University of Texas at Austin by Patricia Adams Hogan, Robin Maegen, Gina Williams Goveas, Jacqueline Goveas and Eileen Howell Barlow....
, or Sisters for the Lord. This women's Christian sorority was heavily modeled on BYX and is considered by many to be its sister sorority.
As Beta Upsilon Chi
Beta Upsilon Chi
Beta Upsilon Chi,or ΒΥΧ , is the largest Christian social fraternity in the United States. Since its founding at the University of Texas in 1985, ΒΥΧ has spread to twenty-four campuses in twelve states...
inspired Sigma Phi Lambda
Sigma Phi Lambda
-History:Sigma Phi Lambda was founded in 1988 at the University of Texas at Austin by Patricia Adams Hogan, Robin Maegen, Gina Williams Goveas, Jacqueline Goveas and Eileen Howell Barlow....
's establishment, Kappa Phi Epsilon
Kappa Phi Epsilon
Kappa Phi Epsilon, or Kappa Phi, is the largest Christian social fraternity in the State of Florida. The mission of Kappa Phi is to expand beyond general men's ministry and to be a fraternity which uniquely focuses on engaging both the Greek communities and Christian communities with their...
inspired the establishment of Theta Alpha and Delta Alpha Chi, two separate Christian sororities established in the state of Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
.
Today: largest group of Christian Greek-letter organizations
Today, fifty-five chapters of Christian GLO's (Greek letter organizations) trace their roots back to the Texas Movement. Beta Upsilon Chi and Sigma Phi Lambda can both trace their inspiration to the start in 1985.
BYX, with twenty-four chapters in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
, Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
and Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
and potential chapters in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, and California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, remains the largest Christian fraternity in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Mississippi is the first state to offer a Christian fraternity at all of its comprehensive 4 year universities.
Alpha Nu Omega, Incorporated
Alpha Nu Omega Incorporated was founded in 1988 on the campus of Morgan State University. The organizational purpose is to "present a Christian alternative to the students and or faculty on college/university campuses, to minister to the needs of the whole person (spirit, soul, and body), and to promote an attitude of academic excellence among its members." Alpha Nu Omega is established as far North as New York, as far south as Florida, and as far west as Ohio. While most chapters are located at historically African-American colleges and universities, the organization does not consider itself an African-American Christian organization and welcomes all ethnicities.The organization exists as one organization but operates as two distinct entities: a fraternity and sorority. The two are bound by one constitution. There are currently 16 active chapters.
Other groups
Other Christian fraternities were founded during the second wave of the fraternal movement of the late 20th century and early 21st.- Chi Alpha Omega in 1987, founded on the campus of East Carolina UniversityEast Carolina UniversityEast Carolina University is a public, coeducational, engaged doctoral/research university located in Greenville, North Carolina, United States. Named East Carolina University by statute and commonly known as ECU or East Carolina, the university is the largest institution of higher learning in...
- Gamma Phi Delta in 1988, founded on the campus of University of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas at AustinThe University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
- Alpha Nu OmegaAlpha Nu OmegaAlpha Nu Omega is a national Greek letter organization founded in 1988 that comprises both a fraternity and sorority under one Constitution. The Constitution mandates that both branches of ANQ are Christian social Greek letter organizations.-History:...
also in 1988, founded on the campus of Morgan State UniversityMorgan State UniversityMorgan State University, formerly Centenary Biblical Institute , Morgan College and Morgan State College , is a historically black college in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Morgan is Maryland's designated public urban university and the largest HBCU in the state of Maryland... - Alpha Omega (Co-ed) in 1994, Founded on the campus of Western Michigan UniversityWestern Michigan UniversityWestern Michigan University is a public university located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1903 by Dwight B. Waldo, and as of the Fall 2010 semester, its enrollment is 25,045....
- Delta Omicron GammaDelta Omicron GammaDelta Omicron Gamma is a nationally incorporated co-ed Christan service college fraternity founded at the University of Tennessee at Martin on April 9, 1998....
in 1998, Founded on the campus of University of Tennessee at MartinUniversity of Tennessee at MartinThe University of Tennessee at Martin is a campus in the University of Tennessee system. Other campuses include the flagship campus in Knoxville, the Chattanooga campus, the Center for the Health Sciences in Memphis, and the Space Institute in Tullahoma... - Men of GodMen of GodMen of God is a Christian fraternity founded in 1999 with two chapters in Texas. Its members are primarily African Americans.-History of M.O.G.:The first meeting held by the founders was on December 5, 1999 at one of the founder’s apartments...
in 1999, founded on the campus of Texas Tech UniversityTexas Tech UniversityTexas Tech University, often referred to as Texas Tech or TTU, is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas, United States. Established on February 10, 1923, and originally known as Texas Technological College, it is the leading institution of the Texas Tech University System and has the...
when a group of men talked about God at a Step Show. MOG performs a yearly Step Show filled with mimes, dancers, and singers in honor of their beginning. MOG has grown, as have other second-wave Christian fraternities, but it prefers to remain small. Unlike other groups, they limit the number of men that can join each chapter. They feel this enables them to witness and disciple more effectively. - Gamma Psi LambdaGamma Psi LambdaGamma Psi Lambda Christian Fellowship, Inc., is a Co-Ed based Christian Fraternity Fraternal Organization comprising Collegiate Based Membership as well as a Professional Based Membership. Currently there are Chapters in Georgia, Arizona, Alabama, North Carolina.-Founding:Founded on the campus of...
in 1999, founded on the campus of Fort Valley State UniversityFort Valley State UniversityFort Valley State University is a historically black university located in Fort Valley, Georgia. It is also a unit of the University System of Georgia and a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund...
Gamma Psi Lambda started off as a Christian FraternityChristian fraternityclass="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"While the traditional social fraternity is a well-established mainstay across the United States at institutions of higher learning, alternatives - in the form...
but under the unction of the Holy Spirit they became a Co-Ed Christian Fraternal Organization - Alpha Iota Omega in 1999, founded on the campus of University of North CarolinaUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillThe University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
- Lambda Sigma Phi in 2001, founded on the campus of the University of AlabamaUniversity of AlabamaThe University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
- Mu Omicron GammaMu Omicron GammaMu Omicron Gamma is a Christian fraternity founded in 2001 at Old Dominion University.-Chapters:It has three chapters in Virginia:* Αlpha - Old Dominion University* Βeta - Hampton University* Gamma - Norfolk State University-History:...
in 2001, founded on the campus of Old Dominion UniversityOld Dominion UniversityOld Dominion University is a state university located in Norfolk, Virginia, United States, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools... - Alpha Omega Theta in 2002, founded in St. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
- Phi Gamma Gamma in 2002, founded at Virginia Tech
- Kappa Phi EpsilonKappa Phi EpsilonKappa Phi Epsilon, or Kappa Phi, is the largest Christian social fraternity in the State of Florida. The mission of Kappa Phi is to expand beyond general men's ministry and to be a fraternity which uniquely focuses on engaging both the Greek communities and Christian communities with their...
in 2004, founded in Gainesville, FloridaGainesville, FloridaGainesville is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Alachua County, Florida, United States as well as the principal city of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area . The preliminary 2010 Census population count for Gainesville is 124,354. Gainesville is home to the sixth... - Mu Lambda Psi in 2004, founded on the campus of California State University Northridge
- Delta Phi Xi in 2007, founded on the campus of Tarleton State UniversityTarleton State UniversityTarleton State University is a public, coeducational, state university located in Stephenville, Texas. It is the largest non-land-grant university primarily devoted to agriculture in the United States....
- Phi Omega SigmaPhi Omega SigmaPhi Omega Sigma may refer to the five unrelated student organizations:*Phi Omega Sigma at The College of Wooster, U.S.A....
in 2004, founded on the campus of Missouri State UniversityMissouri State UniversityMissouri State University is a public university located in Springfield, Missouri, United States and founded in 1905. It is the state's second largest university, with an official enrollment of 20,802 in fall 2011... - Theta Chi Gamma Christian Fellowship in 2008, founded in Phoenix, ArizonaPhoenix, ArizonaPhoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
- Phi Eta Chi Christian Fraternity & Sorority in 2010, founded in Houston, TexasHouston, TexasHouston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
Alpha Omega Co-ed Christian Fraternity, Incorporated
Alpha Omega Co-ed Christian Fraternity, Incorporated was founded in 1994 by Donyll Lewis on the campus of Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University is a public university located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1903 by Dwight B. Waldo, and as of the Fall 2010 semester, its enrollment is 25,045....
in Kalamazoo, Michigan
Kalamazoo, Michigan
The area on which the modern city stands was once home to Native Americans of the Hopewell culture, who migrated into the area sometime before the first millennium. Evidence of their early residency remains in the form of a small mound in downtown's Bronson Park. The Hopewell civilization began to...
. The vision of Alpha Omega is based on Revelation
Book of Revelation
The Book of Revelation is the final book of the New Testament. The title came into usage from the first word of the book in Koine Greek: apokalupsis, meaning "unveiling" or "revelation"...
1:8 and the question, "Why join a man-made fraternity when the body of Christ is the largest fraternity in the world?"
Alpha Omega is both coed and multicultural. All members come together with "One Vision and One Heart" for the purpose of "Building Stronger Christians, Witnessing to those who do not know Christ, Setting up Programs fitting that of Christian Living and Meeting the Concerns of the Students on and off campus and Ensuring Educational Success of its members and non-members."
The fraternity is based in Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. It has chapters as far north as Ferris State University
Ferris State University
Ferris State University is a public university with its main campus in Big Rapids, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1884 as the Big Rapids Industrial School by Woodbridge Nathan Ferris, an educator from New England who later served as governor of the State of Michigan and finally in the US Senate where...
in Big Rapids, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
and as far south as the University of Toledo
University of Toledo
The University of Toledo is a public university in Toledo, Ohio, United States. The Carnegie Foundation classified the university as "Doctoral/Research Extensive."-National recognition:...
in Toledo, Ohio
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
. Website: http://www.alphaomegacm.com/aocmonline/
Anointed Students In Unity Fellowship Fraternity & Sorority, Incorporated
Anointed Students In Unity Fellowship was founded on August 13, 1999 on the campus of Albany State University and incorporated on May 30, 2000. Founded by Shannon Thomas and 14 other students, ASUF has grown to eight chapters in Georgia and Florida.
Theta Nu Gamma Christian Fraternity, Incorporated
Seeing the need for UNITY amongst Christian men in his community and surrounding areas, Mario Jimerson began to seek God through Prayer & Fasting. He was not sure about which way to go or what to do. He was awakened from his sleep one night with a vision to start a new Christian Fraternity. This new organization would exemplify True Brotherhood and the connection Man needs to have in order to commune with God once again. In his vision, Mario saw the colors and the name of this new fraternity. With this, he began to write the Constitution and By-Laws. On Tuesday June 10, 2008 Theta Nu Gamma Christian Fraternity was birthed in Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
. The God given commission is to teach Men to be Leaders in the Body of Christ and take their rightful place as head of the home.
Website http://www.thetanugamma.net
Local fraternities
The second wave of Christian fraternities was not isolated to national organizations. Indeed, many of the Christian fraternities on campuses in the United States are considered to be "local" fraternities that have only a single chapter.- Phi Kappa Chi was founded on the campus of Baylor UniversityBaylor UniversityBaylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
in 1988.
- Alpha Omega was founded in the Spring of 1998, at Young Harris CollegeYoung Harris CollegeYoung Harris College is a private, Methodist-affiliated liberal arts college located in the mountains of northeast Georgia. The current president is Cathy Cox, former Georgia Secretary of State.-Origins:...
, in Young HarrisYoung HarrisYoung Loftin Gerdine Harris was an American lawyer, businessman, politician, judge, and philanthropist. He is best known as the early benefactor of Young Harris College in the U.S. state of Georgia, after whom the school was named....
, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. The Brotherhood of Alpha Omega, or AO's, seeks to spread Christ's love on the campus of YHC. The Rock is their main symbol, and the AO motto is: "God is good, All the time."
- Alpha Omega ThetaAlpha Omega ThetaAlpha Omega Theta fraternity was founded on October 16, 1946, in Brooklyn New York by John Stefano, Ed Carroll, John Sposito and Jerry, whose last name no one remembers....
was founded July 16, 2002 in St. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, although its Alpha chapter is based out of Springfield, MissouriSpringfield, MissouriSpringfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
at Missouri State UniversityMissouri State UniversityMissouri State University is a public university located in Springfield, Missouri, United States and founded in 1905. It is the state's second largest university, with an official enrollment of 20,802 in fall 2011...
. Their pillars of belief are Unity, Leadership and Integrity. The purpose of the fraternity is to evangelize to college-aged men while meeting them on their level and spreading the love of Christ. They are linked through the special "AO BOND" to their sister organization Alpha Theta Omega Christian Sorority Inc..
- Kappa Phi EpsilonKappa Phi EpsilonKappa Phi Epsilon, or Kappa Phi, is the largest Christian social fraternity in the State of Florida. The mission of Kappa Phi is to expand beyond general men's ministry and to be a fraternity which uniquely focuses on engaging both the Greek communities and Christian communities with their...
was founded on the campus of the University of FloridaUniversity of FloridaThe University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
. Kappa Phi Epsilon has initiated nearly 200 brothers since 2004.
- Mu Lambda Psi was founded on the campus of California State University Northridge in 2004.
- Delta Alpha Chi was founded on the campus of Oklahoma City UniversityOklahoma City UniversityOklahoma City University, often referred to as OCU, is a coeducational, urban, private university historically affiliated with the United Methodist Church...
in 2005.
- Mu Pi Phi was founded September 2006 at Northern Kentucky UniversityNorthern Kentucky University|type = Public|president= Dr. James C. Votruba|city = Highland Heights|state = KY|country = U.S.|endowment = $68 million|students = 15,405|undergrad = 13,206|postgrad = 2,199|faculty = 1,159...
. They are based on the ideals of Charity, Moderation, and Passion. Although they currently have only one chapter, they planned to nationalize in 2007.
- Delta Tau was founded in fall 2006 at Missouri State UniversityMissouri State UniversityMissouri State University is a public university located in Springfield, Missouri, United States and founded in 1905. It is the state's second largest university, with an official enrollment of 20,802 in fall 2011...
. After watching a local christian sorority establish and grow, a group of men felt the need to establish a brotherhood of Christian men. Their sister sorority is Gamma Alpha Lambda.
- Mu Sigma Chi was founded on the campus of Ferrum CollegeFerrum CollegeFerrum College is a private college in Ferrum, Virginia, USA, in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia. Ferrum College has the second-oldest environmental science program in the nation and was ranked 41st by US News and World Report in Comprehensive Colleges–Bachelor's for 2006....
in 2008.
Branded Chapters
Some non-religious national social fraternities allow individual chapters to brand themselves with unique ideals conforming to specific interests of the local members. Instances have arisen in which a singular chapter of an IFC-affiliated social fraternity brands itself a Christian chapter and initiates members on the basis of national membership standards as well as religious beliefs. One of the oldest such chapters is the Beta Alpha chapter of Theta Xi FraternityTheta Xi
Theta Xi was founded at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York on 29 April 1864. Theta Xi Fraternity was originally founded as an engineering fraternity, the first professional fraternity...
at Georgia Tech which marked itself Christian in 1974. The chapter operates as a social fraternity maintaining a full social calendar and competing alongside other IFC fraternities in Greek Week and Homecoming events, but also places large emphasis on outreach to the campus and focusing on pursuing Biblical masculinity and Christian brotherhood. It has since expanded this model to a second chapter at Georgia Southern University after attempts to colonize at University of Georgia were blocked by an already active chapter of BYX. Advantages of this model include the aspects of the Christian fraternity mission and lifestyle while retaining organizational benefits of full IFC membership and a more traditional involvement in the Greek system.
Alpha Iota Omega and North Carolina
Alpha Iota Omega and the University of North CarolinaUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
have clashed over the University's anti-discrimination policy. The fraternity refused to agree to the policy, which banned religious discrimination. As a result, Alpha Iota Omega was not officially recognized by the university for the 2003-2004 academic year. The fraternity sought assistance from the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education
Foundation for Individual Rights in Education
The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education is a non-profit group founded in 1999 and focused on civil liberties in academia in the United States...
, a civil liberties group, and the Alliance Defense Fund
Alliance Defense Fund
The Alliance Defense Fund is a conservative Christian nonprofit organization with the stated goal of "defending the right to hear and speak the Truth through strategy, training, funding, and litigation." ADF was founded in 1994 by the late Bill Bright , the late Larry Burkett , James Dobson The...
, an American legal alliance defending religious liberties. A lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina on August 25, 2004, citing the incident in Fall 2003 when UNC administrator Jonathan Curtis refused to extend the benefits of official recognition to AIO.
This is not the first legal scuffle between a Christian organization and the University of North Carolina administration, and the university has stated that Intervarsity Christian Fellowship
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA is an inter-denominational, evangelical Christian, student-led ministry which for the past 70 years has been dedicated to establishing witnessing communities on U.S. college and university campuses...
's policy that leaders must be Christian is also discriminatory. The lawsuit is currently pending.
Beta Upsilon Chi and Georgia
In late 2006, Pi Chapter of Beta Upsilon Chi, at the University of GeorgiaUniversity of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
, was not registered as a student organization by University officials "because the group requires its members and officers to share the group’s Christian beliefs."
After months of negotiation between University officials, student officers of the local chapter, and officials at the fraternity's national headquarters in Texas, attorneys with the Christian Legal Society
Christian Legal Society
The Christian Legal Society is a non-profit, non-denominational organization of Christian lawyers, judges, law professors, and law students whose members profess to follow the "commandment of Jesus" to "do justice with the love of God."...
and Alliance Defense Fund
Alliance Defense Fund
The Alliance Defense Fund is a conservative Christian nonprofit organization with the stated goal of "defending the right to hear and speak the Truth through strategy, training, funding, and litigation." ADF was founded in 1994 by the late Bill Bright , the late Larry Burkett , James Dobson The...
filed a civil rights suit on December 6, 2006 in federal court
United States district court
The United States district courts are the general trial courts of the United States federal court system. Both civil and criminal cases are filed in the district court, which is a court of law, equity, and admiralty. There is a United States bankruptcy court associated with each United States...
against the University
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
on behalf of Beta Upsilon Chi.
The next day, December 7, published reports in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution indicated that "the University [would] remove the religion clause from the [University's anti-discrimination] policy for the Christian fraternity to settle this particular situation and is discussing 'an exception to religious discrimination (that) could be put into place much like an exception to gender discrimination is in place for same-sex social fraternities and sororities.'"
External links
- Alpha Iota Omega Alpha Chapter website
- Alpha Omega national website (updated)
- Alpha Gamma Omega national website
- Alpha Nu Omega national website
- Alpha Omega Theta national website, AOT's sister sorority Alpha Theta Omega national website
- Beta Upsilon Chi national website
- Gamma Phi Delta National website
- Delta Tau.tk/
- Kappa Phi Epsilon national website
- Lambda Sigma Phi Chapter Site
- Mu Pi Phi Chapter website
- Sigma Theta Epsilon national website
- Phi Alpha Kappa Chapter website
- Phi Kappa Chi Incorporated website
- ASUF national website