Brothers Under Christ 2020-2021 Mid-Year Review BYX Fraternity Year-At-A Glance
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Brothers Under Christ 2020-2021 Mid-Year Review BYX Fraternity Year-At-A Glance. 420 CELL GROUPS 565 PLEDGES 2,300 MEMBERS 36 CHAPTERS 240 OFFICERS BYX Fraternity Financial Update. BYX Foundation Year-At-A Glance. 487 DONORS 48 SCHOLARSHIPS $21,489 IN SCHOLARSHIPS 7,329 KNOWN ALUMNI 4.5% KNOWN ALUMNI GIVING BYX Foundation Financial Update. University of Texas Alpha Chapter Update The University of Texas was one of the few schools where we have a chapter to completely halt in person activities for student organizations. This caused the men of the Alpha chapter to become even more creative in how to continue to operate as a fraternity. They leaned heavily on cell groups, attending chapter meetings virtually as cell groups, serving their local philanthropy as a cell group, and competing in their frst annual cell group BYX Cup. The BYX Cup was a huge help in incentivizing guys to be more involved with their cell groups, consisted of winning prizes for perfect cell group attendance, completing tasks and challenging other cell groups. Texas BYX was innovative in fnding ways to serve their local philanthropy, B+ Foundation, and won our philanthropy award this year. Through the B+ Foundation, cell groups had weekly zoom hangouts with Steel, an 11 year old with Leukemia, while the pledge class raised over $4500 for B+. Despite the many restrictions, they were able to initiate 38 new members into the chapter. As Texas BYX looks to continue to grow and fnd ways to improve, they ask for your prayer in the following ways: • COVID has made brotherhood diffcult with the inability to meet in large groups physically. Please pray for increased allowance to meet in person and determination to grow in unity even if physically apart. • Prayers for the offcer team as they’ll be inheriting a challenging environment with COVID, especially considering all are non- incumbent offcers. • Prayers for continued outreach into Greek and university life in spite of gathering limitations. • Texas Christian University Beta Chapter Update With tight restrictions on TCU’s campus for the majority of the semester, the Beta chapter still fought for ways to continue operations and watch the brotherhood grow. Chapter meetings over Zoom provided innovative and unique opportunities for men to remain connected and center on prayer, worship, and devotions. Despite the challenges of virtual recruitment, the members rallied and the chapter ended up initiating seven men into the fraternity. Several members participated in intramural sports this fall, as it provided a great avenue for brothers to spend time together and bond. With a bit more practice, the volleyball championship is there for the taking come springtime. The chapter stepped up once again this fall for the TCU Movember Foundation, raising $2735 for the challenge. The biggest highlight of the semester was chapter retreat. Being all together in the same space once again was a reminder of the incredible gift of brotherhood and unity that BYX provides. With two-term leaders (Jacob James and Jack Joyce) and the other offcers transitioning out, the chapter is excited to rally behind the new young group of men stepping into 2021 offcership. The Beta Chapter asks for your prayers: •Morein-personopportunitiesnextsemester for the chapter to engage in •Recruitmenteffortsandstrategiesbythe entire chapter for the spring •Wisdomanddirectionfortheyoungand upcoming offcer corps UniversityTexas A&M of University Texas AlphaGamma Chapter Chapter Update Update The Gamma Chapter persevered in power through another semester of trial. Defying all the odds of what could have been a major setback, the chapter managed to successfully recruit over 100 men to rush this fall and fnished with 96 pledges initiated by the end of the semester. Not even a global pandemic could stop the momentum the Aggie brothers have built up. The chapter also saw a lot of life among Cell Groups and their Chapter Meetings. Cell Groups were a crucial piece of the chapter’s activities, so these men surely made the most of that time together. Cell Groups were even the avenue through which brothers would gather in small groups to attend chapter meetings virtually all together each Monday night. So although meeting in person was not feasible for the chapter, the brothers still managed to gather and engage with one another in safer, bite-sized ways. It was not until later in the semester that the whole chapter got together for important nights like their election, initiation, and a particularly unexpected night to honor their late brother, Bailey Gully. Upon hearing of Bailey’s passing, the chapter’s leadership was quick to care for those who were hurting, intentional in connecting with the Gully family, and confdent in fnding a way to honor Bailey’s life. A week later, the chapter hosted a celebration of life service at Grace Bible Church: Anderson Campus, a gathering which every single member of the chapter committed to attending. At this service, brothers (and dear sisters) were able to share stories, memories, laughs, and tears as they remembered all that Bailey meant to them. It was a beautiful service, and everyone in attendance left with a clear picture of who Bailey was, even in his absence. With this hardship, the semester ended tenderly, but the chapter is perhaps stronger and even more fercely devoted to seeing the mission of BYX fulflled. The brothers kindly ask you to join them in praying over the following: • COVID has made brotherhood diffcult with the inability to meet in •Healing,support,andpeacefortheGullyfamilyandlarge groups physically. Please pray for increased allowance to meet inaffected person and brothers determination in the to grow midst in unity of their even if recent physically loss apart. •Clarityinthedaysaheadasthechapternavigates• Prayers for the offcer team as they’ll be inheriting a challenging theenvironment new normal with COVID, of life especially in the considering middle of all the are non- pandemic incumbent offcers. ••ThatTAMUBYXwouldbealightoncampusandin Prayers for continued outreach into Greek and university life in spite ofGreek gathering Life limitations. for the gospel to reach people Texas State University Zeta Chapter Update Things may have slowed down on campus this semester, but the Zeta chapter had plenty of encouraging moments and highlights to look back on. The pledgeship process continues to make strides, as it was of the strongest pledgeships for the chapter in recent history. With 100% retention this fall, eight quality men were initiated and showed a lot of dedication and perseverance. Both bid acceptance and initiation nights were conducted well by the leaders, and they were memorable for both brothers and pledges. Chapter retreat was held at Camp Tejas, and it didn’t disappoint. Brothers especially enjoyed reconnecting with alumni that showed up during the weekend. Senior involvement has been a huge encouragement for the Texas State chapter as a whole, as they are present at chapter, cell group, and brotherhood events. Greek life relations have taken big steps this fall, with momentum moving into next semester to have events and focus on philanthropic involvements. The chapter is excited to rally behind the fve new offcers stepping in with Nate Nichols, who will continue serving as President. The Zeta Chapter asks for your prayers for the following points: •Continuedseniorinvolvementastheyfnishouttheirlast semester •Anothersizablepledgeclassofqualitymen,andthe recruitment strategies to be implemented for the Spring •RevitalizationofspiritualcultureinBYXandgrowthin spiritual maturity UniversityTexas Tech of University Texas AlphaEta Chapter Chapter Update Update The fall semester for the Eta Chapter was one full of change and successful adjustment to continue the life of BYX at Texas Tech University. The offcers, actives, and PNMs have all responded to COVID faithfully and wisely, winning the NLS 35 COVID Response Award. Through their prayerful partnership with Turning Point Community Church, the brothers were able to meet in person for chapter weekly. They also saw a higher value for Cell Groups as they focused their money and resources to those groups experiencing more fun, deeper brotherhood, and continued accountability in the midst of increased isolation. Aligning with its vision statement of being a biblically rooted social fraternity designed to build disciples, the men of this chapter have not ceased to encourage one another, love each other, and represent the kingdom of God in all that they do. This was particularly demonstrated through the work of the pledge team. These men recognized that mentoring pledge members and building relationships through this season would not be an easy task. However with a mentality of “we must decrease so He can increase,” and pure dependence on the Lord, the brothers successfully developed the next class of brothers faithfully and lovingly. Without a doubt, this chapter is heading in a great direction of identity, empowerment, and growth. Pursuing the mission and vision of BYX, the brothers would appreciate prayer for the following: • COVID has made brotherhood diffcult with the inability to meet in •ThattherestofGreekLifewouldexperiencedeepercommunity large groups physically. Please pray for increased allowance to meet and the hope of Jesus rather than being plagued with isolation, in person and determination to grow in unity even if physically apart. suicide, and relentless discouragement. • Prayers for the offcer team as they’ll be inheriting a challenging