Our Pastoral Team
Josh and Dani Sousa - Directors
Josh and Dani both graduated from Central Bible College and Dani went on to receive her M.A. in Counseling from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. Josh pastored in Ohio and Indiana collectively for fifteen years while Dani worked as a director in the marketplace doing therapy and case management. In 2017 both of them felt a strong desire towards university ministry through Chi Alpha, so they moved to Springfield, MO and did Chi Alpha full-time at Missouri State University. Since then, they have also worked at Indiana University and are now the directors of Chi Alpha at IUPUI. Josh and Dani are passionate about reaching and discipling university students and believe their purpose is to help others find their’s. Josh loves weightlifting, cooking with Dani and a great conversation with a friend. Dani loves cooking with Josh, listening to people’s stories, and hosting people in their home.
The Sousa’s have four children: (not pictured) Peyton and Mikayla (pictured) Gavin and Joelle.
Kaylyn Starks
Kaylyn graduated from Missouri State University (MSU) in 2019 with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, and minors in Religious Studies and Child & Family Development. Following her graduation, she participated in a two-year Campus Missionary in Training Internship with the Chi Alpha ministry at MSU. Throughout her time involved in Chi Alpha as a student and as an intern, she learned how important it is to have a strong, faithful community to be a part of. After completing the internship and with prayerful consideration, she accepted an invitation to join a team to pioneer a new Chi Alpha at IUPUI in Indianapolis, IN. Kaylyn enjoys relaxing, hanging out with friends, organizing, and trying new places to eat!
Contact Kaylyn
Ben and Aanna Richner
Ben and Aanna met as students in Chi Alpha at Missouri State University. Each came to college with prior inklings of a general call to ministry, but through Chi Alpha that was developed as responsibility was given and alongside encouragement and accountability to make disciples who make disciples. A long-held desire to be a part of Christ impacting the lives of people around them became a real focus of each of their lives as they lived in community on mission. This impact led to a specified call to continue reaching university students through Chi Alpha when they were done with school. They completed the Chi Alpha internship program together at Missouri State University and by the end, committed to the team pioneering at IUPUI! They love their beautiful daughter, Sabina, music, goofy humor, and spoiling their pup, Maggie.
Chad-Michael and Deanna Temple
Chad-Michael attended a satellite campus of Southeastern University in Atlanta, where he focused on church ministry. Deanna graduated from IUPUI in 2013 with a degree in ASL-English interpretation. They were effectively leading an outreach ministry to the neighborhoods of the east side of Indy when the Lord began to stir their hearts for campus ministry. While at Missouri State Chi Alpha as the special speakers for their missions week, Chad-Michael and Deanna fell in love with Chi Alpha culture. After hearing that their longtime friends, the Sousa’s, were starting a Chi Alpha at IUPUI, God began to bring everything together. Chad-Michael loves all things animals and a great pizza, while Deanna loves reading and calligraphy.
The Temple’s have three children: Emory, Lou, and Aniston.
Contact Chad-Michael or Deanna
Jonathan and Macey Carlson
Jonathan and Macey graduated from Evangel University in Springfield, MO in 2019 with degrees in Biblical Studies (both), Elementary Education (Macey), and Business Administration (Jonathan). After graduation, they served as Worship Pastors at Brighton Assembly of God and each worked in the marketplace (Jon as the Marketing Manager at Renewal by Anderson, and Macey as an Administrative Assistant at the Church Multiplication Network, as well as a private tutor and substitute teacher) and were married in September 2020. In 2021, Jonathan and Macey attended a Chi Alpha service at Missouri State University and felt God call them to be a part of planting Chi Alpha in Indianapolis. So, they quit their jobs and moved across the country to become full time Chi Alpha Missionaries! They believe every college student has been created to be in perfect relationship with the creator of the universe and, thus, have made it their mission to see these students reconciled to Jesus Christ. Together, they love reading, spending time with friends and family, and taking their aussiedoodle (Maple) for walks around their neighborhood. Jon, a former college football player, is passionate about all things health and weightlifting. Macey enjoys singing at her piano, baking for her neighbors, and going to brunch with friends.
Jarrod and Claire Laffey
Claire (Brownsburg, IN) and Jarrod (Indianapolis, IN) met as students in Chi Alpha at Indiana University – Bloomington, the place where the two would also receive their undergraduate degrees. Claire graduated with a B.S. in Business Management, and Jarrod graduated with a B.S. in Secondary Science Education. During their time at IU, both Claire and Jarrod were transformed by Jesus through Chi Alpha. Each of them were student core group leaders who grew great passions for discipleship. After graduating from IU, Claire and Jarrod made the decision to complete the Campus Missionary in Training (CMIT) internship at Indiana University – Bloomington, with the plans of joining the pioneering team at IUPUI once they had received their ministerial training. Claire and Jarrod have been married since November of 2021, adore the city of Indianapolis, enjoy traveling and camping, and love their Pitbull Bruno!
Grace Boehm
Grace graduated from IUPUI in 2023 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nonprofit Management. Following her graduation, she is giving a year to Chi Alpha Ministries at IUPUI. Grace has always felt that call to missions and feels this aligns with her calling that was placed at the age of 9. Participating in Chi Alpha her senior year, her eyes opened up to the impact that Chi Alpha has on college students, like it did her. Grace is excited to reach lost souls, build community, and help students walk in their callings. Grace loves to have students over to her home, hanging out with friends, and calligraphy.
Contact Grace