Helena Chi Alpha Equine (XAE)
Connecting Hearts to Jesus Through Horses
At Helena Chi Alpha, one of the most unique and impactful branches of our ministry is Helena Chi Alpha Equine—what we lovingly call XAE. This outreach combines natural horsemanship with intentional discipleship to help young people, especially youth and college students, experience the love of Jesus in a deeply relational and hands-on way.
We’ve discovered that training and working with horses creates profound parallels to our walk with Christ. Horses respond not only to physical cues but to emotion, energy, and presence—just like people. As we learn to build trust, set boundaries, and communicate clearly with these powerful animals, we begin to reflect on our own ability to hear God, surrender control, and grow in self-awareness. This kind of experiential learning often unlocks personal growth and healing in ways traditional settings cannot.
XAE has become a place where students learn about Jesus while developing confidence, resilience, and purpose. We’ve seen how God uses these moments in the pasture and arena to soften hearts, surface hidden wounds, and strengthen identity.
How we do it
Weekly small groups
Weekly small groups
Combining Bible study with horse activities
Retreats and events
Weekly small groups
Where horses are part of teaching and object lessons
One-on-one discipleship
Uniting students through horse-care.
Leadership development
Using herd dynamics to teach relational skills
Connection
Connection
Spontaneous moments during quiet time in the barn
Meet the Herd
Each of the five horses in our herd has a distinct "horsenality" that brings unique insights to the ministry. Their differences help students recognize personality traits in themselves and others—sparking conversations about how we relate to God, lead others, and live out our faith.XAE is more than a program—it’s a place where young people find healing, calling, and hope in the most unexpected of places: through the companionship of a horse and the love of Christ.Some ways horses are used in ministry include leading a weekly small group in which horse activities are integrated within the Bible study, teachings and objective lessons during retreats, one-one-one discipleship meetings, leadership trainings, and more! Each of the 5 horses in the herd have their own unique “horsenality” that have helped illuminate personalities, traits and ways of relating to God and others within ourselves and students in our ministry.