Leadership & Staff

Staff Leadership

Andy & Candice Estrella - Directors of Missouri State Chi Alpha Andy has been involved with Missouri State Chi Alpha since 2008 and took the role of Director in 2009. Andy is originally from New York and moved to Springfield to attend Central Bible College in 1999. Candice is from Arkansas and has been a nurse but now loves being at home with their daughters, Elliana (6) and Lilah (1). Andy and Candice and their family love working with college students, discipling them in the purpose God has for them.

Kristine Carlson - Assistant Director of Missouri State Chi Alpha
Kristine grew up in Iowa, but is a city girl at heart. She became involved in Chi Alpha while studying accounting at Iowa State University. After working in the accounting profession, Kristine felt called to work with college students.  After completing an internship at the University of Virginia Chi Alpha, she returned to Springfield to join the staff at Missouri State in the fall of 2010. Kristine loves college students, Hallmark movies and pepperoni and pineapple pizza.

Jesse Pingenot - Director Of International Life
Jesse Pingenot is the director of International Life, the international ministry of Missouri State Chi Alpha. He focuses on ministering to the international students who come to the U.S. to study from all over the world. Jesse is originally from Kansas and earned a BA in German Studies from the University of Minnesota Duluth. After graduation, he went on staff with UMD Chi Alpha for two years before God called him to Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, where he earned his Masters of Divinity. Jesse has worked with Missouri State University Chi Alpha since 2008. He became the director of International Life in 2015, and was ordained as a minister with the Assemblies of God in 2016.

JOSH & DANI SOUSA
Josh and Dani joined the Missouri State Chi Alpha team Spring 2018. They were on staff as campus pastors at a church in Indiana for 13 years before coming to Chi Alpha. They both attended Central Bible College and Dani received her Masters in Counseling at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. Josh is an ordained minister and Dani is a licensed minister. They have four children: Peyton (12), Mikayla (11), Gavin (5) and Joelle (3). Josh and Dani love discipling college students and believe students can change the world for the Kingdom of God.

ANDREW ROMANO
During his time as an undergrad student at Missouri State University, Chi Alpha provided for Andrew the family, friends, and experiences that directly impacted who he is today and his choice of vocation. Once he graduated, Andrew was the first CMIT intern. He spent two years serving the ministry and learning what it is like as a Chi Alpha missionary. Upon completing his internship, Andrew answered the call to become a full-time missionary and is serving as the Missions Coordinator and coordinates all the missions trips for the ministry.

Give-A-Year Interns

Nick Koth
Nick is from Camdenton, Missouri and moved to Springfield to attend college in 2011. While attending Missouri State University, Nick became involved in Chi Alpha’s student leadership and played electric guitar as part of the worship team. Nick then interned at Central Assembly of God for a year, but felt the calling to return to Chi Alpha to serve and love students and young adults. Nick’s love for God, connecting to people and telling puns makes him feel right at home in this amazing ministry. In his free time, you will find Nick spending time with his wife, Lauren, and their puppy Minka. Nick is very excited to join the Chi Alpha team this year and to serve Missouri State!

AMIE SELF
Amie found Chi Alpha during her time in college at Northern Arizona University. She became a student leader during her time there. Chi Alpha impacted Amie and ultimately changed the course of her life. Amie was the first CMIT Intern at Northern Arizona University Chi Alpha. Once she finished her CMIT she answered the call to become a campus missionary. Amie served on NAU Chi Alpha for two years before God called her to Springfield, MO. She joined Missouri State University Chi Alpha August 2018. Amie is excited to continue to see God move and use her to impact the lives of college students.

CMIT Interns

Samuel Gingerich
1st Year CMIT Intern

Brittany Loutzenhiser
1st Year CMIT Intern

Danielle Williams