“Aaron Warren, (Phi-Beta 673, age 27) is not only my fraternity brother through Lambda Chi Alpha but is also my blood brother. I chose to nominate my brother for the 30 under 30 because he exemplifies not only the fraternity’s core values but he also breaks the stereotypes of the “millennial” generation. Aaron graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in 2012 with a degree in elementary education. After graduation, however, he felt the call and the need to put his skills and values learned in college and through the fraternity to use in another way. Less than a month after graduating, Aaron had applied and been accepted to go through training with Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru), a religious order and missionary funded organization. After weeks of training and seminary courses, Aaron became a fully commissioned missionary of Campus Crusade for Christ and a member of its religious order. Over the last three years, Aaron has been a part of the Campus Field Ministry branch of Cru, working directly on the college campus with a focus within the Greek system. As we all know, our college years are some of, if not the most influential and shaping times of our lives. During our college years we find friendships, career paths and habits that will carry on throughout the rest of our lives. It is for this reason that he chooses to work with college students for his ministry work, hoping to provide council and guidance for students who may otherwise lose hope and lose heart when times get tough. During his time in college, Aaron served on the executive council of his chapter at EKU, as well as being voted High Kappa. Seeing first hand not only through his own experience of the new member education program but also through teaching it, the core values of Lambda Chi are lived out daily through his work on campus.
Aaron serves with Cru at the University of Alabama and is actively involved in mentoring and discipling students within the Greek system, independent students, and student athletes. Each and every day, his intentions are focused on serving and helping others before himself. He meets with students one on one, talking about life, faith and struggles or hardships they may be experiencing. One of the other ways that he helps lead these students are on alternative spring break trips and summer missions. This past March, Aaron helped lead a group of 36 students on a mission based trip to Nicaragua. The group was able to go into the poverty stricken neighborhoods in Nicaragua and give them aid in whatever ways they could. They were able to help build a shelter for a well that had just been put in, while also talking to the people about their spiritual needs and desires. In our creed of Lambda Chi Alpha, we say that ‘the cross is our guide – denoting service, sacrifice, and even suffering and humiliation before the world, bravely endured if need be, in following that ideal.’ I believe that Aaron truly lives out what our creed, our core values, and our fraternity stands for each and every day, and it is for that reason that I nominate him for this opportunity.” – Adam Warren
Aaron Warren:
Before joining Lambda Chi Alpha, I thought I had everything all figured out. I had been serving on campus at EKU as an RA for two years, a member of our alumni ambassador program (SAA), and leading a Bible study for Cru, the campus ministry that I was a part of and am currently working for. Needless to say, I knew plenty of people, made connections all over campus, and had all the friends I needed. My next few years were set up perfectly for me— continue in these organizations, graduate with my degree in education, find a job teaching and coaching. Life is good. However, as my junior year came, I felt something change in my heart. There was still something missing in the midst of my college career. After praying about it, I went to fraternity recruitment events on campus and was introduced to the men of Lambda Chi Alpha. I knew almost immediately that this was what I wanted and felt was missing: a group of men, a group of brothers, tied together by something (at the time) I couldn’t put my finger on. Since the moment that I signed my bid to join the brotherhood of the Phi-Beta chapter, my life hasn’t been the same, and for that, I am eternally grateful.
Being a part of Lambda Chi Alpha gave me a wonderful perspective of life, friendship, philanthropy, and manhood that I had not yet known. These men that I will forever call brothers also played a huge role in my current career path. During my time as an active member of Lambda Chi, I served as the High Kappa, but I also lead a Bible study for our chapter that met each week. I was still actively involved in Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru), and felt that there wasn’t a better place to lead a Bible study than with the men that I live life with every single day. It was through this Bible study and the men that attended it that my passions changed from being a teacher to working in ministry. God began a work in my heart that truly burdened me for the Greek system as a whole, not just the men within my chapter. I began going on trips during the summer through Cru that helped educate me on ways to be an influence in my fraternity and the Greek system. Our Greek system across the nation is full of the future leaders of the business world, the local government, and the future leaders of America. Being able to work directly with these students, meeting with them daily to talk about their faith and relationship with God, and helping them through life’s biggest struggles is such an amazing opportunity. Having a chance to be a spiritual influence to those who will go on to lead others in their respected fields is quite a unique opportunity.
I now serve with Cru at the University of Alabama, where I am still actively involved in meeting with greek students and leading Bible studies, as well as helping lead events on and off campus. I feel that the life lessons I learned during my time as an active member of Lambda Chi continue to influence me in my every day life, as well as in my career. I pray each day for the men of Lambda Chi, especially my brothers from the Phi-Beta chapter at EKU. God has truly blessed us all with this incredible bond we share in ZAX. Chops on top!
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