Elizabeth & Yi Gao

Elizabeth and Yi Gao met as students in Mizzou Chi Alpha and were married on May 21, 2021. After feeling a call to missions during her time as a student in Chi Alpha, Elizabeth became a missionary with Chi Alpha in the fall of 2015 and was blessed to serve Chi Alpha not only at Mizzou, but at Columbia College and Stephens College. She currently serves as the director for Chi Alpha in Columbia.

After meeting the Lord through Chi Alpha, Yi decided to serve the community that welcomed him and introduced him to Jesus. In addition to his research and studies in computer engineering, he volunteers with Chi Alpha on our campuses in Columbia. Yi and Elizabeth both desire to see Jesus touch the lives of every student at Mizzou, Columbia College, and Stephens College

In their free time, Elizabeth and Yi enjoy hanging out with friends and taking their sweet puppy, Coco, on adventures!

Blaz’ & Julie Barton

Blaz’ and Julie were married on May 19, 2019. During their time as students at Mizzou each felt a call into full-time missions and now serve as full-time staff with Mizzou Chi Alpha.

Both have a deep desire to raise up the next generation to serve God wholeheartedly.

Blaz’ is currently serving as the ServeMU Director and Julie as the Discipleship Coordinator. Another big focus of both is discipling students and serving the worship/sound team. God also continues to open up doors for MXA Worship to serve beyond XA. Their heart is to inspire and equip the Church to worship with a new level of sincerity and freedom.

Blaz’ loves working on cars, going to the shooting range, drinking sweet tea, and eating Mexican food any chance he gets. Julie loves to sing, drink tea, play games, and just chill. Above all, they both love hanging out with people and making new friends!

Kaitlyn Litchfield

Kaitlyn graduated from Mizzou in May of 2020 with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. She got involved in Chi Alpha her freshman year, stepped onto leadership the next year, and felt the Lord call her to stay and serve at Mizzou Chi Alpha her Junior year. She served in our Give-A-Year program for two years and stepped onto staff in the Fall of 2022. 

Kaitlyn is passionate about empowering students through their faith and understanding of Jesus. Some of Kaitlyn’s favorite things to do are playing pickleball, hosting game nights for friends, and baking! 

Briley Eilers

Briley graduated from Mizzou’s journalism school in 2020. She always says the J-school was just God’s way of getting her to campus so she could meet Chi Alpha! After serving as a leader for three years, she felt called to stay as a give-a-year after graduation. From there, God put it on her heart to expand Chi Alpha’s reach across mid-Missouri. Currently, she is pioneering a brand new Chi Alpha chapter at Westminster College and William Woods University in Fulton.

Briley is passionate about creating community so college students can wholeheartedly pursue Jesus. In her free time, she loves reading, being at a baseball game, and spending time with people, no matter what the activity is!

Hayden Maddox

Hayden graduated from Mizzou in 2024 with a degree in Agricultural Systems Technology. He joined Chi Alpha his freshman year and stepped into leadership his Junior year. He felt called his senior year to stay and serve God at Mizzou. He served as a Give-A-Year for two years and stepped onto the staff team in 2026. 

Hayden is passionate about leading students to find and follow Jesus, to whatever He is calling them to. When he is not with students, Hayden enjoys fishing, hunting, and being outdoors. 

Jordan Milewczik

Jordan graduated from Mizzou in the spring of 2024 with a Secondary Social Studies Education degree. He got involved in Chi Alpha as a student and felt the call to stay during his senior year of school. Jordan served as a Give-A-Year for two years after his graduation before stepping onto the staff team. 

Jordan is passionate about being the hands and feet of Jesus through serving the kingdom and the community. He is also passionate about international students and travel. In his free time, Jordan enjoys being outdoors (especially at sporting events), cooking, and playing board games.

The Give-a-Years 

This year we have two Give-a-Years on our team (ask us what that means)! Connor Yearton & Elyse Caszatt