Meet our team!
Chi Alpha is led by a team of full-time campus missionaries. They all have a passion for the college students of NDSU. Learn more about them below!
Bryce + Morgan Bakkegard
CAMPUS DIRECTORS
Bryce and Morgan have served at NDSU Chi Alpha since August of 2021.
Bryce graduated from NDSU in 2021 with a degree in business administration and Morgan graduated from the University of Iowa in 2021 with a degree in general sciences.
They both had powerful experiences with the Lord in college that radically changed their lives! Bryce and Morgan were small group leaders in each of their respective Chi Alphas and their heart grew for hurting and broken students on campus. They both felt a call to full time ministry after they graduated. In August of 2023, they became the directors of NDSU Chi Alpha and they are so excited to see all God has in store for this campus!
Bryce and Morgan have a passion to help students find their God given calling and purpose for their life. In their free time, they can be found playing board games, talking with friends over coffee, or spending time outside.
Josh + Hannah Brose
CMIT DIRECTOR / CAMPUS PASTOR
Josh has been serving at NDSU Chi Alpha for three years, and Hannah is a recent addition to the NDSU team! Hannah is joining us after serving with Moorhead Chi Alpha for 5 years.
Josh graduated from NDSU in 2021 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, and Hannah graduated from MSUM in 2018 with a B.S. in Biological Sciences. Through the Chi Alpha community at NDSU and MSUM, they both discovered the transformative power of living a life fully committed to Jesus. During their college years, they found healing and unconditional love, setting the stage for their future together. Their story began on the sand courts, spiking and diving in a game of volleyball with friends. Fast forward five years, and they’re now married, combining their passions to impact the lives of students on the college campus.
Josh, the Campus Missionary In Training (CMIT) Program Director, loves teaching everyday theology and challenging followers of Jesus to make a difference in their communities. Meanwhile, Hannah, an NDSU Campus Associate Staff member, is dedicated to helping women view their mental health and sexuality through a Christ-centered lens. When they’re not on campus, you can find Josh and Hannah enjoying a competitive game of pickleball, diving into the world of "Lord of the Rings," or hosting friends for a delicious dinner.
Dan Thompson
CAMPUS STAFF
Dan has served at NDSU Chi Alpha since August 2022.
Dan graduated from NDSU in 2022 with 2 degrees in Elementary Education and Human Development and Family Science. He had a profound experience in Chi Alpha that helped form him into the man he is today. He was a small group leader in 4.5 years of the 6 years he was in college and over those years he began to love the students more. In his last couple years, God called him to do the Chi Alpha internship and pursue pastoral ministry.
In August 2024, he stepped on as a full time staff member.
Dan has a passion for helping students find freedom from sin and shame that is trying to hold them back from reaching their God-given calling. In Dan's free time, he can be found quoting movies, spending time with loved ones, trying to finish a book he started months ago, or playing basketball with friends.
Ben + Sydney Van Berkom
CMIT II / CMIT I
Ben joined the NDSU Chi Alpha Team in August 2023, and Sydney in August 2024.
Ben, who graduated from NDSU in 2023 with a degree in Precision Agriculture, and Sydney, who earned her Marketing degree from NDSU in 2021 and her Master’s in Business from ASU in 2024, both developed deeper personal relationships with Christ through their experiences in college. They led as small group leaders during their time at NDSU and over time felt a call to college ministry post-graduation.
Together, Ben and Sydney are passionate about creating opportunities for students to encounter Jesus and equipping them to become Ambassadors of Christ in their future homes, careers, and communities. In their downtime, you can find them enjoying coffee with friends at one of Fargo's local shops, watching movies, or trying out new recipes at home!
Gabe Lothspeich
CMIT II
Gabe has served with NDSU Chi Alpha since August 2023.
He graduated from NDSU in 2023 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. When he arrived to campus as a freshman, Gabe knew that he needed a community of believers his age who could encourage and sharpen him as he grew closer to God. God used Chi Alpha to meet those needs and so many more during his time as a student. Gabe served as a small group leader for four years, and during his senior year, he started feeling a call to full-time ministry. He joined the Campus Missionary-in-Training (CMIT) program in the fall of 2023 and has had a blast encouraging students to grow closer to God!
Gabe's passion in ministry is encouraging students to use the talents and desires God gave them to lead the life He created them to live. Gabe loves reading, playing board games, going on hikes, and watching NDSU Bison or Green Bay Packers football games.
Christina Gruber
CMIT I
Christina has been serving at NDSU Chi Alpha since August 2024.
She graduated from NDSU in 2024 with a degree in Biotechnology. She joined Chi Alpha in 2021, and has absolutely loved finding community there. She was a small group leader, and an enthusiastic member of the greeter and prayer teams.
Christina has a passion for making people feel comfortable and find community! She is so excited to be able to get people connected with the Lord and in Chi Alpha as an intern!
Christina can be found trying new caffeinated things at any local coffeeshop surrounded by friends and often with a good book in tow. She has also taken a liking to gardening and has quite a few indoor plants.
Ethan Thies
CMIT I
Ethan has been serving at NDSU Chi Alpha since August 2024.
Ethan was inspired and his faith was reinvigorated when he came to his first Chi Alpha large group service and saw a group of people his age choosing to serve the Lord. He got involved in worship team and eventually became a small group leader and had his heart softened for college students. He did not complete college but had a desire for ministry and, in spring of 2024, decided to join the team that helped mentor him.
Ethan has a passion for making students feel loved, and assure them that they have a purpose in God. In Ethan's free time, he can be found playing tennis or basketball with his friends and family, learning random theology facts, or singing in his Ford Flex 💪.
Lexi LeKander
CMIT I
Lexi has been serving at NDSU Chi Alpha since August 2024.
Lexi graduated from NDSU in 2024 with a degree in Human Development and Family Sciences. She came to college seeking validation and fulfillment from every source that couldn’t provide it until Jesus came into her life and fulfilled every broken piece. Her life was completely transformed through the love of Christ. Throughout her years in Chi Alpha, she served as a small group leader and on the worship team. Her heart continued to grow for college students, and she felt a call to college ministry post-graduation.
Lexi has a passion to meet college students where they are in every season of life, but not leave them there, just as many people did for her. In her free time, you can find Lexi on a run, avoiding cheese at all costs, or singing with Ethan in his Ford Flex.