"Getting connected to a small group was what really sparked the serious change in my devotion to Jesus, how my day-to-day would look, and just my relationship with God. I got to see it lived out in so many lives in my small group... I still look back to this day—if not for my small group, I don't know where I would be."

- Dawson VanSickle

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In this episode, NDSU strategic communications sophomore Dawson VanSickle discusses his journey of finding freedom, transformation, and lasting joy in Jesus. He shares how navigating a severe bone cancer diagnosis, a leg amputation, and his parents' divorce initially brought deep pain, but ultimately became the catalyst for a radical faith. Dawson also recounts how forgiving his parents, surrendering his trade school career plans, and getting discipled in a Chi Alpha small group reshaped his heart for campus ministry and prayer.

Connect with NDSU Chi Alpha:

Email: podcast@ndsuchialpha.com

Website: ⁠⁠⁠ndsuchialpha.com⁠⁠⁠

Get Connected: ⁠⁠⁠ndsuchialpha.com/connect⁠⁠⁠

Give: ⁠⁠⁠ndsuchialpha.com/give⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/ndsuchialpha⁠⁠

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The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by guests and hosts on this podcast are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policies, positions, or views of NDSU Chi Alpha, Chi Alpha, Inc., The North Dakota Ministry Network, the General Council of the Assemblies of God, or North Dakota State University.

"I walk into Chi Alpha... and they start worship and I just stand there and listen to hundreds of students just singing about Jesus. In my head, I'm just like, 'This must be what heaven sounds like'... This was the community I'd been longing for: people that love Jesus and love me. I found my best friends, I found everything, and it has just changed my life... I wouldn't trade it for anything."

- Owen Bittner

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In this episode, we sit down with NDSU Business Administration major Owen Bittner as he shares how Jesus has met him in several defining moments of his life, from processing his younger sister's cancer journey and eventual death, to the weight of shame and guilt tied to chronic pornography use.

Along the way, we get a window into how God has spoken specific words to Owen through other people who have faithfully followed Jesus alongside him.

Connect with NDSU Chi Alpha:

Email: podcast@ndsuchialpha.com

Website: ⁠⁠ndsuchialpha.com⁠⁠

Get Connected: ⁠⁠ndsuchialpha.com/connect⁠⁠

Give: ⁠⁠ndsuchialpha.com/give⁠

Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/ndsuchialpha⁠

__________

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by guests and hosts on this podcast are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policies, positions, or views of NDSU Chi Alpha, Chi Alpha, Inc., The North Dakota Ministry Network, the General Council of the Assemblies of God, or North Dakota State University.

"You come to Jesus when you're broken, because that's when you should come... You don't need to fix yourself up. I was sitting right where you were, and the Lord changed my life, and He can do the same for you."

- Grace Buringa

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In this episode, NDSU exercise science senior Grace Buringa shares her journey from a childhood of sibling comparison to finding freedom in authentic, Jesus-following community in Chi Alpha at NDSU.

She shares a story about trading a concert ticket for a life-changing experience at Fall Retreat, and recounts how a challenging mission trip to Alaska and a monotonous hospital job taught her to listen for God’s voice in both frustration and the "mundane middle" of everyday life.

Connect with NDSU Chi Alpha:

Email: podcast@ndsuchialpha.com

Website: ⁠ndsuchialpha.com⁠

Get Connected: ⁠ndsuchialpha.com/connect⁠

Give: ⁠ndsuchialpha.com/give

Instagram: instagram.com/ndsuchialpha

__________

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by guests and hosts on this podcast are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policies, positions, or views of NDSU Chi Alpha, Chi Alpha, Inc., The North Dakota Ministry Network, the General Council of the Assemblies of God, or North Dakota State University.

"I came into college with a mindset that I had to be perfect at everything I did... And then finding people who loved me where I was at—even if I wasn't perfect—taught me a lot about how the Lord loves in that same way."

- Sariya Metters

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In this episode, NDSU biology major Sariya Metters discusses her journey from performance-driven anxiety and perfectionism to experiencing God’s unconditional love.

She shares how intentional mentorship and daily decisions of surrender to Jesus has guided her through college.

Sariya also recounts how three mission trips to Fort Yates, ND and intentional prayer shaped her heart for discipling students.

Connect with NDSU Chi Alpha:

Email: podcast@ndsuchialpha.com

Website: ⁠ndsuchialpha.com⁠

Get Connected: ⁠ndsuchialpha.com/connect⁠

Give: ⁠ndsuchialpha.com/give

Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/ndsuchialpha

__________

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by guests and hosts on this podcast are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policies, positions, or views of NDSU Chi Alpha, Chi Alpha, Inc., The North Dakota Ministry Network, the General Council of the Assemblies of God, or North Dakota State University.

"Being a member of a small group in Chi Alpha has really made an impact in my life, and I felt like God wanted me to pay that forward and to lead a small group... I can give up a little bit of my time to make an impact on somebody else, rather than just rushing towards whatever arbitrary goal that I've set for myself."

- Caleb Blomberg

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In this episode, NDSU accounting major Caleb Blomberg discusses surrendering his academic timeline to invest in other students at NDSU through leading a Chi Alpha small group.

From ancestors escaping stoning in Sweden to his mother breaking generational alcoholism, Caleb shares how his family’s faith legacy shaped him.

Caleb also recounts how a mission trip to Cairo and an unexpected summer lawn care encounter challenged his rules and taught him to listen to the Holy Spirit, even when it doesn't make sense.

Connect with NDSU Chi Alpha:

Email: podcast@ndsuchialpha.com

Website: ndsuchialpha.com

Get Connected: ndsuchialpha.com/connect

Give: ndsuchialpha.com/give

Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/ndsuchialpha

__________

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by guests and hosts on this podcast are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policies, positions, or views of NDSU Chi Alpha, Chi Alpha, Inc., The North Dakota Ministry Network, the General Council of the Assemblies of God, or North Dakota State University.