Our citywide staff is a compilation of campus missionaries who love Jesus and love college students. With unique paths of coming to Christ, and now serving him on universities across the city, the Chicago XA team is committed to honoring one another, serving with excellence, reaching the city, and cultivating friendship.
Todd Lucas
Citywide Director
Todd, a native Chicagoan, pioneered Chicago XA in the fall of 2010. Todd oversees the execution of the citywide vision, the recruitment and training of citywide staff, and the training of student leaders. Todd also serves as director for Chicago XA’s Campus Missionary in Training (CMIT) internship program. His heart is to see students discipled and released into their God-given calling to be lifelong disciple-makers. Todd and his wife Shawndra live in the heart of the city with their sons, Ethan, Cameron, and Hudson.
Email: todd@chicagoxa.org | IG: @toddvlucas
Todd Lucas
Campus Director at Northwestern University
In addition to serving as citywide director, Todd also serves as campus director for Northwestern.
Email: todd@chicagoxa.org | IG: @toddvlucas
Luke & Tricia Turley
Campus Directors at Loyola University Chicago
Luke graduated from Loyola University in 2014 where he was a key leader in XA. Tricia is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute. They have been married since 2015, and are passionate about serving together, creatively expressing the gospel, and seeing spiritual awakening through urban campus ministry. They live on the city’s north side with their sons Thomas Dietrich, Alister Martin, and Felix Elliot.
Email: luke@chicagoxa.org | IG: @luke_turley
Email: tricia@chicagoxa.org | IG: @triciaeturley
Justin Morris
Campus Director at Columbia College Chicago
Justin is a 2016 graduate of Indiana State University where he was involved in Chi Alpha. After completing Chicago XA’s CMIT internship, Justin began serving downtown at Columbia College. His passions include evangelism, prayer, worship, and building a Spirit-filled community in the city.
Email: justin@chicagoxa.org
Shawndra Lucas
Citywide Staff Member
Shawndra served in student ministry at a local church for many years before marrying Todd and joining Chicago XA. Shawndra is passionate about using her gifts to build the Kingdom of God and seeing others released into their callings through discipleship and Spirit empowerment. Her favorite part of campus ministry is seeing students’ lives interrupted by the grace of God. When she is not on campus or spending time with her three boys, Shawndra moonlights as a writer and spoken word poet.
Email: shawndra@chicagoxa.org
Becky Nelson
Interim Director at University of Illinois at Chicago
Becky Nelson is a veteran XA in her 30th year of ministry with Chi Alpha. Becky was introduced to Chi Alpha as a student at The University of Texas - Arlington. She later served as staff at The University of Texas and Texas A&M University before moving to Chicago in 2018. She is passionate about speaking God’s truth and love over others. She has a special heart for international students, hosting, adventure, inner healing, and laughter.
Email: becky@chicagoxa.org
Erika Davis
Missionary Associate at Loyola University Chicago
Erika is a 2016 graduate of Indiana University where she was involved in Chi Alpha. She moved to Chicago after graduation, responding to God’s leading at Chi Alpha’s winter conference. She spent several years serving with Americorps, and joined Chicago XA staff in 2018. Erika’s heart is to teach students to walk with Jesus.
Email: erika@chicagoxa.org
Natalie & Jeremy Hansen
Missionary Associates at Columbia College Chicago
Natalie and Jeremy are graduates of Indiana University South Bend, where they met in Chi Alpha. The Hansens successfully completed Chicago XA’s CMIT internship in May of 2021 before joining the Chicago XA citywide staff. Natalie has a heart to creatively serve the Lord through the arts. Jeremy is a servant at heart with a deep desire for relational discipleship. They were married in 2018, and have two children, Elora and Judah.
Email: natalie@chicagoxa.org
Email: jeremy@chicagoxa.org
Taylor Shelton
Missionary Associate at University of Illinois at Chicago
Born and raised in St. Louis, Taylor is a graduate of Northwestern University (‘18) and a Chicago Chi Alpha Alum. Taylor successfully completed Chicago XA’s CMIT internship in May of 2021 before joining the Chicago XA citywide staff. Taylor is passionate about prayer, serving her community, interfaith dialogues, and discipling college students to fall in love with Jesus. In her free time Taylor loves playing chess, learning new languages, hosting, and adventuring in Chicago.
Email: taylor@chicagoxa.org
Lauren McDaniel
Missionary Associate at University of Illinois at Chicago
Lauren is a 2021 graduate of Purdue University where she was involved with Chi Alpha. Lauren successfully completed Chicago XA’s CMIT internship in May of 2022 before joining the Chicago XA citywide staff. She has a heart for discipleship and seeing students experience the love of Jesus.
Email: lauren@chicagoxa.org