Exposing Spiritual and Sexual Abuse in Chi Alpha

Where survivors speak, secrets unravel, and justice leads to healing.

WHAT HAPPENED

Chi Alpha Ministries (XA), under the Assemblies of God, has been at the center of the largest spiritual and sexual abuse scandal in modern campus ministry history.

Countless survivors have come forward with stories of grooming, cover-ups, and abuse, many involving Chi Alpha leaders and their mentor, registered sex offender Daniel Savala, while national and district leadership ignored repeated warnings.

WHO’S INVOLVED

The Chi Alpha and Assemblies of God scandal isn’t just about sexual abuse on a number of campuses. It’s also a scandal of enablers who twisted scripture and used psychological control to groom students, institutions that protected the brand over people, and leaders who turned a blind eye while calling it discipleship.

    • Eli Gautreaux - XA Texas & New Mexico District Director

    • Eli Russell Stewart - XA Texas A&M and MVF Pastor / XA NTX Director

    • Jason Bell - XA SHSU Pastor

    • Josh Bell - XA Rice University Pastor

    • Daniel Young - XA UTRGV Pastor

    • Johnny Hauck - XA UTSA Pastor

    • Matt Hoogendorn - XA UofH Pastor

    • Kyle Volkmer - XA & Gateway Fellowship Leader

    • Jonathan Bryce - XA A&M and MVF Church Elder

    • And many others

A DEFINITION OF TERMS

What Is Spiritual Abuse?

Spiritual Abuse is when someone uses God, the Bible, or their authority as a leader to control, manipulate, or silence others for personal or institutional gain.

Spiritual abuse is the foundation for other kinds of abuses. It creates a false sense of guilt, fear, and dependence, making victims easier to control. When leaders are unchecked and students are groomed to ignore their gut in the name of “honor” or “discipleship.”

  • Any unwanted sexual behavior, verbal or physical, where consent is ignored or power is used to manipulate, pressure, or violate someone’s boundaries. (Nudity is Unity)

  • Using fear, guilt, or loyalty to exploit someone’s emotions and isolate them from support. (“If you talk about this, you’re hurting the body of Christ.”)

  • Manipulating someone’s thoughts, perception of reality, or ability to think critically through gaslighting, shame, or information control. (“God wouldn’t speak to you without my covering.”)

  • Using the body or physical presence to intimidate, harm, or punish, sometimes under the guise of “discipline” or “authority.” (Punching a student/staff that didn’t obey.)

WHY IT MATTERS

Because Abuse Is Still Happening

Students, families, and churches are waking up to the long-term trauma caused by control dressed up as “discipleship.” When institutions refuse to confront evil, exposure becomes necessary.

What You Can Do

This isn’t just about awareness. It’s about action.

You can help expose the truth! If you’ve seen spiritual or sexual abuse in a ministry, speak up. Silence protects predators. Students, parents, advocates, and pastors, it’s on us to hold the Assemblies of God and Chi Alpha accountable.

HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Recognize it

Before you can stop abuse, you have to see it clearly, even when it’s disguised as “discipleship.”

What You Can Do:

  • Learn the Signs
    Spiritual and sexual abuse often hides in plain sight.

  • Trust Your Gut
    Fear, confusion, or pressure are red flags.

  • Talk to Outsiders
    Get perspective from people outside the organizational influence.

Resist It

Toxic ministries thrive in silence. Shining light on abuse is not gossip—it’s biblical.

What You Can Do:

  • Share Stories
    Post survivor experiences on the Lions Den Forum.

  • Confront Leadership
    Ask tough and honest questions and don’t accept silence.

  • Post Truth
    Use social media to expose what’s happening on your campus.

Report It

Accountability ends the cycle. When abusers and their protectors face real consequences, the culture finally shifts.

What You Can Do:

  • Report It Locally
    File a formal complaint with the University’s Student Services office.

  • Call the Police
    All criminal behavior should be reported to the local law enforcement agency.

  • Save Evidence
    Keep texts, emails, and screenshots to support your case.

Visit the Forum. Tell Your Story. Engage on Social.

This is a rescue mission: exposing darkness, demanding justice, and helping survivors heal with truth and courage.

Where To Go Next

NEXT STEPS

  • Visit the Forum — Share your story. Hear survivors and advocates speak freely.

  • View the Timeline — Every key moment, every breakthrough, all in order.

  • Follow on Social — Unfiltered truth. Relentless justice. Unafraid voices.

  • Explore Resources — (Coming Soon) Toolkits, guides, and support for healing.

You’re not alone. We’re building a movement. This is where exposure leads to justice. And where justice leads to healing.

  • “I am eternally grateful! God will not forget your service in ministering Truth to the public, your insistence on upending every rung in the XA/AG monster that it has become, and giving voice to the plethora of stories so that they get to see the light of day and can no longer be denied.”

    - Forum User

  • “This website has been stomach-turning, therapeutic, healing, devastating, connecting, and absolutely necessary. I tracked down former students, friends, and past small group members to make sure they were okay. It’s been heartbreaking, but we keep coming back to read. It’s worth it.

    - Youth Pastor

  • “I’ve not seen something like this before but prayed for it for years. The calling you had to start the process of healing is already working. You all have created and cultivated this space and it feels like we are on the verge of change, deep-rooted change, reformation type change.”

    - Forum User

You’re not alone.
You're not crazy.
You're not the only one.