Christian sorority (fraternities and sororities)

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 in Kansas in 1916 by and named Kappa Phi. It was a women's sisterhood that developed out of a bible study and remains one of the largest nationally present Christian sororities today.

History

Alpha Delta Chi – the beginning

Traditionally, the Christian sorority has followed the Christian fraternity in founding except in the case of Alpha Delta Chi. The sorority was founded in 1925 and Alpha Gamma Omega 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 broke off as a women's only ministry. Sigma Alpha Omega now has a national president and a national board of trustees, and has grown to include 33 chapters throughout the country.[1]

In 1988, the founding of Sigma Phi Lambda on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin sparked new growth for the Christian sorority. "Phi Lamb" was founded by women who saw brotherhood in Beta Upsilon Chi and wished to create a female counterpart, since BYX was a male-only organization. Sigma Phi Lambda today has an executive director, national board of directors, and regional directors, and is the largest Christian social sorority in the nation, with thirty-one chapters.[2](Kappa Phi club is at twenty-four campuses; however, Kappa Phi club is not a social sorority).

Recent sorority additions

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), Psi Delta Chi Sorority, Inc. (1994), Pi Iota Chi Christian Multicultural Sorority, Inc. (2001), Alpha Theta Omega Christian Sorority, Inc. (2002), Zeta Iota Chi Christian Sorority, Inc (2003), Theta Alpha (2006), Theta Sigma Lambda Christian Sorority, Inc. (2008), Delta Phi Psi Christian Sorority, Inc. (2008), a member of Association of Fraternal Christian Organizations and Ministries, and Tau Rho Omicron Christian Sorority, Inc., a Christian sorority for business and professional women (2011).

In 1999, Delta Psi Epsilon Christian Sorority, Inc.[3] was founded to give Christian women an opportunity to experience Greek life without having to compromise their values. The sorority was founded by Carla Griffith, Vila-Sheree Watson and Nicole Parham Gardner. The sorority's purpose is to spread the love of Christ and evangelize the world for His purpose. The premier organization for Christian women, Delta Psi Epsilon 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 is founded on the tenets of faith, wisdom, honor and sisterhood.

In 2007, Iota Chi Kappa Christian Sorority (IXK) was formed, a group which did not have any secret rituals or tenets. Its founder, Eboni L. Truss, a former member of a national secular sorority, decided 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. While collegiate chapters are welcomed, IXK is uniquely known for being one of the first organizations to also assemble community-based chapters. IXK was incorporated on June 30, 2010.[4]

Christian Business Women Society, Inc., better known as Tau Rho Omicron Christian Sorority, is a national sorority for Christian business and professional women. Tau Rho is referred to as a society because of its unique balance between ministry, Greek life, business, and governmental focus. Tau Rho Omicron Christian Sorority was founded on September 16, 2011 by Freda Stevens and Toni Seaton. On December 6, 2011, Tau Rho Omicron Christian Sorority was incorporated. The fivefold foundations of Tau Rho Omicron Christian Sorority, Inc., are Stewardship, Service, Teaching, Giving, and Dominion.

Non-conventional Christian sororities

Theta Sigma Lambda Christian Sorority, Inc.[5] was founded in 2008 by Michelle Roberts of Dayton, Ohio. The organization is a multicultural Christian sorority. The vision of TSL is "to bring all of God's daughters back into fellowship with Him, while inspiring Purpose & Joy!" Theta Sigma Lambda Christian Sorority is a non-collegiate organization.[6]

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, including those who were working professionals, those who never attended college and for those who were in college.

Founded 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 their color, race, creed, age or background, Delta Phi Psi is inclusive. The Sorors of Delta Phi Psi welcome all women with open arms.[7]

Delta Alpha Omega (aka Devoted to Alpha & Omega) was started on November 7, 2009 in Saint Louis, Missouri. 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, which is royalty. In doing so, they believed they would develop a divine spiritual connection in sisterhood that was full of love, fellowship, praise and worship all in the name of 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 where 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, Alabama by Jessica Martin. This organization aims to combat teen pregnancy and high school dropout rates in high school and college. The organization is for women from all walks of life who are interested in music, the arts, education, whole woman health, and spiritual development. Martin was a 2010 recipient of 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, it became a 501(3)c non-profit organization.

The Daughters of Christ, Inc. (aka the Daughters of Christ "SOARority") 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 Soarority ("The DsOC") is a love-driven, Christ-centered and ministry focused society of women whose divine mission is to create, develop and perpetuate a woman's 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 Soarority launched its Hampton Roads, Virginia chapter (to include the cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Suffolk, Virginia Beach and Williamsburg) on May 29, 2010 and is working to establish regional and international chapters throughout the United States and abroad. Ten members are required to begin a local chapter.[8]

Zeta Nu Delta Christian Sorority, Inc. was founded by Besceglia Hall. In 2012, during her pregnancy, she saw that women were hurting all over the globe, including herself. She had seen many women who were misunderstood, those who felt alone and had no one to talk to concerning their issues. Hall reached out to co-founders Sparkle Hargrave, Tyronza Lewis, and Olivia Stith-Bynum to help with her vision. With much prayer and divine direction, Zeta Nu Delta Christian Sorority, Inc. was created on August 6, 2013. The founders were known as the Visionaries of the Vine. On January 29, 2016, Zeta Nu Delta changed their name to Omicron Nu Epsilon Sorority, Inc. and was incorporated in the State of South Carolina. The National Headquarters for Omicron Nu Epsilon is in the heart of Anderson, SC. [9]

In 2019 Psi Lambda Theta, Inc. was founded in Dallas, Texas as a Christian and multi-faith welcoming sorority by Rev. J. A. Whipple. It serves as a multicultural conduit of sisterhood and unified fellowship for religiously diverse women and a safe space for queer women of faith. The purpose was to unify women of agape and faith, in the divine mission of doing God's work on Earth, whether it be social justice, charity, or children's ministry. The organization was commissioned because no organization provided a space to love God, yourself and others without conditions, prejudice or rebuke.[10]

It is a great honor to serve as a member of such an exceptional non-profit Christian organization. Delta Iota Delta Sorority Inc. was founded October 10, 2019 in Gainesville, Florida by founder MarQuelle Rawls. The vision was birth from the foundational scripture Habakkuk 2:2,"And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it". Our sorority consists of diverse and unique members, yet all their actions are guided by our core values: Service, Philanthropy, and Excellence. Our principles are Faith, Sisterhood, Commitment, Love, Transparency and Integrity. As a Delta Iota Delta lady, we never leave home without our "pearls and principals".[11]

 

List of sororities
Sorority Sorority name Year founded Active chapters and colonies
ΚΦ Kappa Phi191650 active and alumni chapters nationwide
ΑΔΧ Alpha Delta Chi192514 active in CA, GA, KY, IL, CO, OH, AL
ΑΣΔ Alpha Sigma Delta19902 active in MI, AL
ΦΒΧ Phi Beta Chi197811 active in IN, TX, IA, NC, AZ, MN, PA
EA[12] Elogeme Adolphi198716 chapters in IL, FL, IN, GA, LA, 8 alumni
ΣΑ Sigma Alpha Christian Sorority19882 chapters in TX
ΣΦΛ Sigma Phi Lambda198831 in TX, OK, FL, AR, MO, MS, TN, VA, LA, AL
ΑΝΩ Alpha Nu Omega198817 undergraduate, 7 alumni, in MD, DE, PA, DC, NJ, NY, OH, NC, FL, TN, IN, TX
ΑΛΩ Alpha Lambda Omega199014 chapters in TX, OK, PA, MI
ΨΔΧ Psi Delta Chi19942 chapters in TN, WI
ΗΙΣ Eta Iota Sigma19922 chapters in TX
ΣΑΩ Sigma Alpha Omega199833 in DE, FL, GA, KY, MI, MD, NC, NM, NY, OK, SC, TN, VA, WI[13]
ΔΨΕ Delta Psi Epsilon199922 in AL, FL, GA, IN, IL, LA, MD, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX, VA
ΖΦΖ Zeta Phi Zeta (Zeta Alpha Omicron)200117 in IL, FL, AR, TX, IA, AL, OH
ΣΦΧ Sigma Phi Chi20011 in TX
ΠΙΧ Pi Iota Chi20013 in MI, GA
ΑΘΩ Alpha Theta Omega200217 in TN, MO, GA, AL, VA, TX, KS
ΛΟΧ Lambda Omicron Chi20024 in VA, CA, GA, DC
ΓΑΛ Gamma Alpha Lambda20031 in MO
ΖΙΧ Zeta Iota Chi20031 in MO
ΗΓΖ Eta Gamma Zeta20041 in IL
ΛΟΓ Lambda Omicron Gamma20051 in IL
ΑΩ Alpha Omega20057 in TX, VA
ΘΑ Theta Alpha20063 chapters, 1 colony in FL
ΔΑΧ Delta Alpha Chi20061 in FL
ίχκ Iota Chi Kappa20078 in AL, GA, MA, MD, MS, NH, NY, R.I., SC, VA
ΑΨΓ Alpha Psi Gamma20071 in NC
ΘΧΓ Theta Chi Gamma20081 chapter in AZ, 1 chapter in TN, 1 colony in GA, 1 colony in NY
ΔΛΓ Delta Lambda Gamma20081 chapter in MI
ΔΦΨ Delta Phi Psi20081 chapter, 1 colony in NY, NJ, VA
ΘΣΛ Theta Sigma Lambda20086 in Ohio, Illinois, North Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, St. Louis
ΔΑΩ Delta Alpha Omega20098 in MO, IL, MI, LA, TX, CA, OH, IN
ΘΦΣ Theta Phi Sigma2009International
ΣΩΜ Sigma Omega Mu20102 in MO, 1 nationwide chapter
ΤΡΟ Tau Rho Omicron20112 in FL, TN
ΖΝΔ Zeta Nu Delta2013International chapter, international graduate chapter, 1 in North Carolina, 1 in Alabama
ΨΛΘ Psi Lambda Theta20191 in TX
ΔΙΔ Delta Iota Delta20197 Chapters in GA, MI, TN, MD, FL www.deltaiotadelta.org

General structure

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

Ministry focus

These sororities focus on internal discipleship and growth, and on using their resources for the Evangelical concept of evangelism to the outside community.

The vast majority of these organizations concentrate on the concept of Christian accountability and have programs designed to address this issue, including Cable Groups with Sigma Phi Lambda, and Accountability Groups with Theta Alpha.

Great emphasis is placed on the spiritual growth and development of members. Many Christian sororities endeavoring to minister to their members have installed national programs to do so, such as Corporate Prayer & Rhema Bible study with Iota Chi Kappa.

See also

References
  1. www.sigmaalphaomega.org
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-02-02. Retrieved 2010-12-05.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. Delta Psi Epsilon Christian Sorority, Inc.
  4. "Iota Chi Kappa Christian Sorority, Inc". Archived from the original on 2015-07-10. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
  5. Theta's Facebook Page
  6. "Theta Sigma Lambda Christian Sorority, Inc". Archived from the original on 2017-06-11. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
  7. Delta Phi Psi Christian Sorority, Inc.
  8. "The Daughters of Christ Soarority". The Daughters of Christ Soarority. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
  9. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-12-16. Retrieved 2017-12-16.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. "About Us – Psi Lambda Theta". Retrieved 2019-06-24.
  11. "Pearls and Principles | DeltaIotaDelta.org". DID. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
  12. "What We Believe". Elogeme Adolphi. Retrieved August 25, 2020. Our EA symbol is not a Greek letter.
  13. "HOME | SAO Christian Sorority - Greek Life for Jesus @SAO4Christ". Sigma Alpha Omega. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
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