[4][5] Chi Alpha's stated mission is "to reconcile students to Jesus Christ, thereby transforming the university, the marketplace, and the world..."[6] It describes its core values or pillars as community, creativity, diversity, excellence, integrity, servant-leadership, and evangelism.

[13] The organization and its leadership have also been subjected to controversies involving the LGBT community,[14][15] and sexual and psychological abuse with former members alleging "cult-like" personalities.

[16][12] In May 2023, Christianity Today and other outlets reported a registered sex offender was knowingly allowed to continued ministering to Chi Alpha students for more than 30 years.

[19] The name Chi Alpha was inspired by the contemporary Assemblies of God youth movement, Christ's Ambassadors (reflection a phrase in 2 Corinthians 5:20).

[30] Additionally, in the 2014-2015 school year, Chi Alpha at CSU Stanislaus was removed from campus because they required that their leaders be Christians.

[17][18][41] Following, according to a Dallas, Texas-based law firm, demands have been made to limit the activity of Chi Alpha on multiple college and university campuses.

[54] A pastor from Orange, Texas criticized his denomination's general superintendent, Doug E. Clay, and alleging minimization of the abuse Savala has been accused of.

Clay described the scandal as a series of "hiccups," while Orange, Texas-pastor Armstrong responded, "Hundreds of victims of sexual abuse is not a spot on a spectrum.

"[55] In October 2023, it was revealed from a 1989 yearbook for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, that Savala was mentioned as a Chi Alpha staff member alongside campus minister Eric Treuil.

[56] Treuil reestablished the local Chi Alpha chapter for the university in 1987, and since 1994, has led the Cajuns 4 Christ athletic outreach program.

Following, some members of the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns sought baptism through Chi Alpha and Treuil responded:[58] I believe it played a bit into it, from the angle of the reality that anybody can get into trouble—easily.

Now, they’ve put themselves out there for some accountability.In November 2023, national director Scott Martin resigned and the Assemblies of God withheld comment from The Christian Post, referencing its statement on the Savala scandal.