Nii Abrahams was active in Chi Alpha at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. He graduated in 2014 with a Bachelors in Communication. While studying for his Masters degree in Organizational Communication at MSU, he worked at the Assemblies of God National Youth Ministries Department as their Communications and Content Strategist. He completed his degree in 2016 and moved to Indianapolis to help start a church plant, Parkside Church, alongside several friends from MSU Chi Alpha. He is currently working full-time with college students, teaching Communication courses at Ivy Tech Community College. He also remains involved with Chi Alpha whenever he can. Indeed, Nii is fully active in both the marketplace and in ministry! He shares how Chi Alpha impacted his life and prepared him for where he is today.
Describe the impact Chi Alpha had on you as a student.
Chi Alpha drastically changed my life. I often joke I was a poster child for the Assemblies of God—I did Junior Bible Quiz, Teen Bible Quiz, camps, fine arts, Royal Rangers, basically everything. I was called into ministry at camp, but I remember God specifically saying by “unconventional means”…. I had no idea what that meant! Fast forward years later and I just assumed that I would go to school at Evangel or Southwestern Assemblies of God University, but God made it abundantly clear Missouri State was where I was supposed to be. That opened my world in ways I never knew. It was at the secular university that I gained a true heart for people and God’s mission. I already had a strong understanding of my capacity as a leader, but Chi Alpha stretched my leadership in unbelievable ways. I had true mentorship and discipleship for the first time in my life. I developed a core group of guys that all plan on doing family vacations together for the rest of our lives. I could go on and on about the many different ways Chi Alpha changed my life. Simply put, Chi Alpha is where I truly became a man after God’s own heart. Andy Estrella is a once-in-a-lifetime leader that’s done incredible things at Missouri State University. I am so blessed to be a product of that ministry.
How do you think Chi Alpha prepared you for your current role in the marketplace?
When you learn how to live missionally and authentically love people through the crazy in your residence hall, you can literally do anything! Ha! Honestly, Chi Alpha birthed in me the tools to be Gospel-Centered, Spirit-Empowered, and On-Mission. Those three things are essential to building God’s Kingdom in and out of vocational ministry contexts.
What are some of the opportunities that God has given you to reach out to students in your teaching position?
Well, last semester alone there were three students of mine who are now serving in our church plant and I’m discipling two of them! But equally as important, I truly believe the atmosphere and culture in my classes are different than anything they’re used to—and that’s all the Holy Spirit. I’ve had students confide in me, drop all their classes but mine, and tell me how thankful they are to have had my class. The gospel changes lives regardless of whether I’m able to preach or not!
What words of wisdom do you have for Chi Alpha students soon to enter the marketplace, and Alumni who are already there?
Students – Our main goal as Christians is to make Jesus known and to build God’s Kingdom. Everything we do should be filtered through that lens. Where we live, what we do, who we do it with…all should be filtered through the lens of building God’s Kingdom. Utilize your passions and your talents to make His name known throughout the world. Don’t be afraid to take risks and allow God to do his thing!
Alumni – It’s never too late to invest in the next generation of Chi Alpha students. Find a way to serve (giving, alumni dinners, etc.) and give back to your Chi Alpha campus! It’s also never too late to reorient your life, centered around Christ and his mission. Some of us will be called to move, to change jobs, to change neighborhoods—be willing and ready for God to move.