My name is Kent Stephenson and I have been part of ASU Chi Alpha since I was a freshman almost three years ago. Saturday, the 27th of March, 2010, I took part in making the food for Ladies Night out for the third time. Ladies Night Out is a tradition in ASU Chi Alpha with a profound mission: for men to repent of ungodliness with regards to our relationships with women and sacrificially show the love of God thereby raising the women’s expectations of men. Our world is filled with the conceited failures of men, so we let the women attending know they deserve so much more. As guys, we wear our best clothes and ask the girls to dress as they would for a prom, allowing them to declare, “God has made me beautiful and I receive all strength from my identity in Him”. We take care of everything for them – we valet cars, escort them to their tables, pull out chairs for them, cater hand-made gourmet food, provide entertainment, and speak words of life into them – all in the attempt to imitate Christ’s love.As the men show women (to the best of our ability) how God loves them, we discover parts of our identity as well. In serving the women of Chi Alpha by preparing the food, I found a skill within myself I had not known was there. The first year I prepared a meal for 40 people with only one other person helping me. I had never known that was possible, or even that I was able to cook well. Now I use this emerging talent to bless my friends throughout the year by making food whenever possible. Ladies Night Out has also taught me the importance of accepting thanks. My freshman year I wouldn’t let any of the women say a simple “thank you” without saying that “it wasn’t me, it was all God.” Although this is true to certain extent, I have learned that a simple “you’re welcome” is better than false humility.I have seen both women and men grow in maturity and better understand God’s love through these nights of ministry. I pray that this tradition continues in Chi Alpha and only surpasses what has already been done.
A couple Testimonies from LNO:
The last thing I expected from college guys was for them to tell me that they honored me and treasured me as their sister in Christ. Ladies' Night Out has been an incredible healing experience. It has renewed my hope in the Godly men who are future leaders in the church as they pledged to protect and uphold my honor and respect me because I am a beautiful woman.
- Jenni, Junior
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This was my first year attending LNO and I was just amazed at the caliber of the event. From driving up and seeing the guys waiting to escort us in to their readiness to get us anything (and repeated again "anything") we needed, it was such servitude. They made sure everything was excellent because they wanted to make sure we knew that we deserved excellent. I brought two high school friends and one in particular was just awe struck by the event and upon reading a letter that the guys had written for us, said to something to effect - "I am going to frame this!" For me, the night was an opportunity to learn more about guys and relationships. In one section of the event, called the Panel, the guys were open and honest, answering questions we had submitted. It was eye opening to hear some of their responses to questions and to see them as brothers who fight for us, support us, and are honest with us. It was a night of love and learning - a blessing for each girl present.
- Emily, Freshmen
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