VAN, Texas — Hundreds of college men representing eight chapters of Beta Upsilon Chi (BYX) gathered in late February at Sky Ranch in East Texas for the South Regional Brotherhood Retreat (Regionals), a weekend centered on worship, competition, teaching, and deepening of brotherhood among our fraternity members.
BYX members and pledges from Baylor University, Texas Christian University, Southern Methodist University, Sam Houston State University, Louisiana State University, Texas State University , University of Texas, and Texas Tech University spent three days in teaching sessions, cell groups, and a wide-ranging competition known as the “Battle of the Brethren.”
Regionals exists to strengthen spiritual formation and reinforce the national brotherhood across BYX chapters. For many participants, the most significant moments came during small-group discussions, known within BYX as cell groups, where men shared struggles, fears, and their shared unity in Jesus Christ.
FACING FEARS
“Our cell group on Saturday night was unmatched,” one participant said. “Getting to be vulnerable with my brothers was powerful.” Many described the experience of opening up about deeply personal challenges, after the speaker challenged men to be open and transparent with God and one another about “the 10 percent we often hold back” when we share in cell groups.
“I voiced my 10 percent for the first time to my cell group and realized I had another brother dealing with the same thing,” said Brock Persons, a senior at Sam Houston State University. “It brought me closer to my brothers.”
Several men pointed to conversations about fear and personal struggles as a defining theme of the weekend. “You can’t move on from fear if you don’t address it,” said Jackson White, a junior at Baylor University.
Others echoed the impact of hearing peers speak honestly about issues they had previously kept hidden. “Brothers opened up about sheltered sins that had festered for years,” wrote Benjamin Williams, a junior at Texas State University. “It showed the power of what happens when men choose vulnerability.”
NATIONAL UNITY
The opportunity to gather with Christian brothers from other campuses also expanded many participants’ understanding of BYX beyond their local chapter. “It opened my eyes to what God is doing across the country and not just my campus,” said Bodie Johnson, a freshman at LSU. “It gives me hope for the future.”
For some attendees, the weekend reinforced the purpose of the fraternity itself. “This weekend reminded me that BYX isn’t just an organization—it’s a brotherhood rooted in Christ,” one participant said.
Others described Regionals as a moment of clarity about the organization’s broader mission. “It showed me that BYX is bigger than my campus,” said Noah Schaake, a sophomore at Texas Tech University. “There are men across the country fighting the same battles.”
Worship sessions also stood out as a defining aspect of the weekend. Several attendees described the experience of singing as “Worshipping with my whole heart.”
BATTLE OF — AND FOR — THE BRETHREN
Each chapter also competed in the Battle of the Brethren, which included events such as dodgeball, ultimate Frisbee, and additional competitions that brought chapters together. “The Battle of the Brethren was one of the best parts,” said Dominic Orozco, a sophomore at TCU. “Seeing my whole chapter hyped the whole time was awesome.”
For others, the weekend offered a rare opportunity to step away from the pressures of campus life and invest intentionally in friendships and faith. “Getting the chance to slow down and reflect on where I’m at,” said Gabe Vitale, a sophomore at Baylor. “BYX really is a special community.”
Senior members in particular reflected on the event as a meaningful moment in their college experience. “It reminded me how blessed I am to be a part of this brotherhood,” said Andrew Wallace, a senior at Sam Houston State.
BYX Regional Brotherhood Retreats occur bi-annually in each region to reinforce our fraternity’s mission of building men who live faithfully and lead courageously, strengthening the connection between national chapters. For even our newest members, the retreat succeeded in doing exactly that.
“It showed me that this is more than a fraternity,” wrote Tanner Vance, a freshman at Sam Houston State. “It’s truly a brotherhood under Christ.”