Christian sorority
Encyclopedia
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! Sorority !! Year founded !! Active chapters & colonies
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| ΑΔΧ - Alpha Delta Chi
Alpha Delta Chi
Alpha Delta Chi is a national Christian sorority founded at UCLA in 1925. Its brother fraternity is Alpha Gamma Omega.-History:Alpha Delta Chi was founded in 1925 at the University of California, Los Angeles by ten women...

 || 1925 || 14 active in CA, GA, KY, IL, CO, OH, AL
|-
| ΦΒΧ - Phi Beta Chi
Phi Beta Chi
Phi Beta Chi is a national sorority formed to support collegiate women socially, spiritually and academically. Phi Beta Chi was founded on Christian/Lutheran values and celebrates its heritage...

 || 1975 || 9 in IN, TX, IA, NC, AZ
|-
| ΣΦΛ - 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....

 || 1988 || 23 in TX, OK, FL, AR, SC, MO, MS, TN
|-
| 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:...

 || 1988 || 17 Undergraduate, 7 Alumni, in MD, DE, PA, DC, NJ, NY, OH, NC, FL, TN, IN, TX,
|-
| AΛΩ - Alpha Lambda Omega
Alpha Lambda Omega
Alpha Lambda Omega Christian Sorority, Incorporated -is a national inter-denominational Christian sorority founded April 9, 1990 by four students at the University of Texas at Austin...

 || 1990 || 14 chapters in TX, OK, PA, MI
|-
| HIΣ - Eta Iota Sigma
Eta Iota Sigma
Eta Iota Sigma, or "ΗΙΣ", is a Christian sorority currently located on the campuses of Texas Christian University and Southern Methodist University. The sorority is represented by the Greek letters ΗΙΣ...

 || 1992 || 2 chapters in TX
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| AEΩ - Alpha Epsilon Omega || 1997 || 1 Chapter in NC
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| ΣΑΩ - Sigma Alpha Omega
Sigma Alpha Omega
Sigma Alpha Omega is a nationally incorporated Christian sorority for women, founded at North Carolina State University in 1998. However, they can trace their roots back to the once co-educational Chi Alpha Omega fraternity founded at East Carolina University in 1987...

 || 1998 || 19 in NC, GA, CA, SC, NM, OK, VA
|-
| ΔΨΕ - Delta Psi Epsilon
Delta Psi Epsilon
Delta Psi Epsilon is a Christian women's ministry. The purpose of Delta Psi Epsilon Christian Sorority, Inc. is to bring Christ to women of all races, creeds, tongues and denominations. It is our goal to spread the love of God through the world by the association of women...

 || 1999 || 22 in AL, FL, GA, IN, IL, LA, MD, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX, VA
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| ZΦZ - Zeta Phi Zeta (Zeta Alpha Omicron) || 2001 || 17 in IL, FL, AR, TX, IA, AL, OH
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| ΣΦΧ - Sigma Phi Chi || 2001 || 1 in TX
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| ΠΙΧ - Pi Iota Chi || 2001 || 3 in MI, GA
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|AΘΩ - Alpha Theta Omega || 2002 || 6 in TN, MO
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|ΛΟΧ - Lambda Omicron Chi || 2002 || 3 in VA
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| ΨΑΛ - Gamma Alpha Lambda || 2003 || 1 in MO
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| ΖΙΧ - Zeta Iota Chi || 2003 || 1 in MO
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| HΓZ - Eta Gamma Zeta || 2004 || 1 in IL
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| ΛΟΓ - Lambda Omicron Gamma || 2005 || 1 in IL
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| - Alpha Omega || 2005 || 7 in TX, VA
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| ΘΑ - Theta Alpha || 2006 || 3 chapters, 1 colony in FL
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| ΔAX - Delta Alpha Chi || 2006 || 1 in FL
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| ίχκ - Iota Chi Kappa || 2007 || 8 in AL, GA, MA, MD, MS, NH, NY, R.I., SC, VA
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| AΨΓ - Alpha Psi Gamma || 2007 || 1 in NC
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| ΘΧΓ - Theta Chi Gamma || 2008 || 1 Chapter in AZ, 1 Chapter in TN, 1 Colony in GA, 1 Colony in NY
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| ΔΦΨ - Delta Phi Psi || 2008 || 1 Chapter, 1 Colony in NY
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| ΘΣΛ - Theta Sigma Lambda || 2008 || 1 in OH, FL
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ΔAΩ - Delta Alpha Omega || 2009 || 8 in MO, IL, MI, LA, TX, CA, OH, IN
| ΘΦΣ - Theta Phi Sigma
Theta Phi Sigma
Theta Phi Sigma is a Christian women's sorority to help develop strong confident leaders in the world.Christian Sorority, Inc. TPS upholds Christian standards and values while embracing the creative and artistic ideals of the modern woman.-History:...

 || 2009 || 2 in AL, 2 LA
|}

While the traditional women's fraternity or sorority was founded well before the start of the 20th century, the first ever Christian sorority was founded at UCLA in 1925 by ten women and named Alpha Delta Chi
Alpha Delta Chi
Alpha Delta Chi is a national Christian sorority founded at UCLA in 1925. Its brother fraternity is Alpha Gamma Omega.-History:Alpha Delta Chi was founded in 1925 at the University of California, Los Angeles by ten women...

.



Alpha Delta Chi, the Beginning

Traditionally, the Christian sorority has followed the Christian fraternity in founding except in the case of Alpha Delta Chi
Alpha Delta Chi
Alpha Delta Chi is a national Christian sorority founded at UCLA in 1925. Its brother fraternity is Alpha Gamma Omega.-History:Alpha Delta Chi was founded in 1925 at the University of California, Los Angeles by ten women...

. The sorority was founded in 1925 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...

 was founded in 1927, two years later also at UCLA.

These Christian Greek Organizations enjoyed local success in their early years but they did not experience the national growth seen by more traditional Greek organizations.

1980s Resurgence

A more novel situation occurred in 1987 when Chi Alpha Omega was founded as a co-educational Christian Greek Organization. It wasn't until 1998 that Sigma Alpha Omega
Sigma Alpha Omega
Sigma Alpha Omega is a nationally incorporated Christian sorority for women, founded at North Carolina State University in 1998. However, they can trace their roots back to the once co-educational Chi Alpha Omega fraternity founded at East Carolina University in 1987...

 broke off as a women's only ministry. Sigma Alpha Omega now has a national president, a national board of trustees, and has grown to include 19 chapters throughout the country.

In 1988, the founding of 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....

 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...

 sparked new growth for the Christian sorority. "Phi Lamb" was founded by women who saw brotherhood in 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...

 and wished to create a female component since BYX was a male-only organization. Sigma Phi Lambda today has a national director, national board of directors and is the largest Christian social sorority in the nation with twenty-three chapters. (Kappa Phi club is at twenty-four campuses; however, Kappa Phi club is not a social sorority).

Recent Sorority Additions

As Alpha Delta Chi, Sigma Phi Lambda and Sigma Alpha Omega continue to enjoy growth and success, two new Christian sororities, Theta Alpha and Delta Alpha Chi were established at Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...

. Theta Alpha was created by women who considered all three organizations but instead chose to create a new sorority with the help of brothers from 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...

. The sorority has already expanded to the University of Florida
University of Florida
The 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...

 the University of North Florida
University of North Florida
The University of North Florida is a public university located in Jacksonville, Florida. A member institution of the State University System of Florida, the university is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, master’s...

 and the University of Central Florida
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida, commonly referred to as UCF, is a metropolitan public research university located in Orlando, Florida, United States...

 and is looking to plant a colony at Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...

  in the near future.

There has been a surge in the multicultural community of Christian sororities as well, with the beginning of sororities such as Alpha Lambda Omega Christian Sorority, Inc. (1990), Delta Psi Epsilon Christian Sorority, Inc. (1999), Pi Iota Chi Christian Multicultural Sorority, Inc. (2001), Alpha Theta Omega Christian Sorority, Inc. (2002), Zeta Iota Chi Christian Sorority, Inc (2003), Theta Sigma Lambda Christian Sorority, Inc. (2008) and Delta Phi Psi Christian Sorority, Inc.(2008).

In 1999, Delta Psi Epsilon Christian Sorority, Inc. was founded to give Christian women an opportunity to experience Greek life without having to compromise their values. The sorority was founder by Founders Carla Griffith, Vila-Sheree Watson and Nicole Parham Gardner. The sorority is purpose to spread the love of Christ and evangelize the world for His purpose. The premier organization for Christian women, Delta Psi Epsilon
Delta Psi Epsilon
Delta Psi Epsilon is a Christian women's ministry. The purpose of Delta Psi Epsilon Christian Sorority, Inc. is to bring Christ to women of all races, creeds, tongues and denominations. It is our goal to spread the love of God through the world by the association of women...

 is also a charter member of the United Council of Christian Fraternities and Sororities, Inc. Also known as Women of Deliverance, Power and Enlightenment, Delta Psi Epsilon
Delta Psi Epsilon
Delta Psi Epsilon is a Christian women's ministry. The purpose of Delta Psi Epsilon Christian Sorority, Inc. is to bring Christ to women of all races, creeds, tongues and denominations. It is our goal to spread the love of God through the world by the association of women...

 is founded on the tenets of faith, wisdom, honor and sisterhood.

The year 2007 brought the formation of Iota Chi Kappa Christian Sorority (IXK), most notably known for not having any secret rituals or tenets. Its founder, Eboni L. Truss, a former "D9" sorority member, found in her study of the Bible that secret societies were not of God. She subsequently sought to establish an organization based solely on the Word of God. Since then, Iota Chi Kappa has carved a niche for itself among other great Christian sororities, seeking to keep women on fire for God, spurring them on to continuous growth in Him. IXK was incorporated June 30, 2010.

Non Conventional Christian Sororities

In 2008 Mario Jimerson Founded a Christian Fraternity and Sorority under the name of Theta Chi Gamma Christian Fellowship. He wanted to create an organization that was not bound to conventional ideas. His organization would embrace the whole community. Those who were working professionals, those who never attended college and for those who were in college.

In 2008 Delta Phi Psi Christian Sorority, Inc. emerged to give all women an opportunity to experience the greek process without hazing. Its founders De'Alleashea James, Kimberly A. Johnson, LaVonne Bost-Barksdale and Gail Edwards wanted to make sure women who did not have a college degree, but wanted to give back and serve the Lord could be a part of an awesome experience. As God accepts all people no matter the color, race, creed, age or background Delta Phi Psi is inclusive. These sisters do not believe in excluding woman because they lack what society, and some traditional sororities feel they lack in order to be included in what is supposed to be open to all of God's children. The Sorors of Delta Phi Psi welcomes all women with open arms Delta Phi Psi Christian Sorority, Inc. Facebook Page.

Delta Alpha Omega (aka Devoted to Alpha & Omega)was birthed out on November 7, 2009 in Saint Louis, MO. The Holy Ghost had given a divine concept to the ministry's visionary. The ultimate desire was that women of all would come to the full knowledge of who they truly are and that is royalty; in doing so, believing they would develop a divine spiritual connection in sisterhood that was full of love, fellowship, praise and worship all in the name of our Lord and Savior JESUS CHRIST. This would also allow women to walk, talk and act the way a virtuous woman should without compromising her beliefs, integrity and character. It is truly a women’s ministry/sisterhood that women can come together as one, pray as one, fast as one, and serve as one in the community.

Theta Phi Sigma Christian Sorority, Inc. also known as The Pink Society, was founded in 2009 in Montgomery, Al by Jessica Martin. This organization is to combat teen pregnancy and school drop out rates (high school and college). Their organization is for women from all walks of life that are interested in music, the arts, education, whole woman health, and spiritual development. Jessica Martin was a 2010 recipient for the Montgomery Advertiser's MLK Honors Award to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King's dream. Theta Phi Sigma Inc. gained the membership of their Honorary sister Lisa McClendon of Blu Soul Entertainment in 2009. Their vision is to establish chapters in the United States as well as internationally. In 2010, a 501(3)c non-profit organization.

The Daughters of Christ, Inc. (a.k.a, The Daughters of Christ Sorority) was founded and launched by Darnella Moore (in the Christian ministry circle, she is also known as Evangelist Darnella Moore, The Daughter of Christ). The Daughters of Christ, Inc. is a love-driven, Christ-centered and ministry focused Society of women whose divine mission is to create, develop and perpetuate Christian love and unity with her Lord, herself, and others while serving her community. The organization's headquarters is located in the Northern Virginia part of the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Membership is publicly open to Christian women of all denominations. The DsOC Sorority is currently open to online membership through The Daughter of Christ Sorority Facebook Fan Page. The DsOC Sorority launched its Hampton Roads, VA Chapter (to include the cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Suffolk, Virginia Beach and Williamsburg) on May 29, 2010 and is steadily working on its goal is to establish regional and international chapters throughout the United States and abroad. Ten (10) members are required to begin a local chapter.

General structure

Today, most national Christian sororities have a national organization, national board of directors, national executive director and alumnae bases.

Ministry focus

These sororities focus on internal discipleship and growth and using their resources for the Evangelical concept of evangelism
Evangelism
Evangelism refers to the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others who do not hold those beliefs. The term is often used in reference to Christianity....

 to the outside community.
The vast majority of these organizations concentrate on the concept of Christian accountability
Accountability
Accountability is a concept in ethics and governance with several meanings. It is often used synonymously with such concepts as responsibility, answerability, blameworthiness, liability, and other terms associated with the expectation of account-giving...

and have programs designed to address this issue including Cable Groups with Sigma Phi Lambda, and Accountability Groups with Theta Alpha.

There is also great emphasis placed on Spiritual growth and development of members. Many Christian sororities endeavoring to minister to its members have installed national programs to do just that, such as Corporate Prayer & Rhema Bible study with Iota Chi Kappa.

See also

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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