Leveraging Your Letters for Kingdom Impact

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Hey family, Dr. Lyman Montgomery here, coming at you a little faster than usual because, well, my mind is racing with everything God has shown me about being part of a Black Greek Letter Organization and the impact that can have for the Kingdom. If you’re a Sigma, Delta, Alpha, AKA, Omega—or maybe you’re just Greek-adjacent, trying to make sense of all this—let me say this loud and clear: your letters are not a curse. They’re not something to hide, but a powerful platform, if you’ll let God use them that way.

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If you listen back to the very first episode, we unpacked how the Divine Nine came out of a need. Black folks weren’t getting invited to the tables of power, scholarship, or even a plain old lunch on campus. So what did our ancestors do? They built their own table. These orgs were created for advancement—yeah, sure, step shows and strolls are part of the culture—but the true story is about leadership, community, and resistance.

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I remember being an undergrad Sigma at Ohio University in 1988, and let me tell you, it was a scene. The culture was electric, but it could be a little wild. Yet, God nudged me: “Don’t just show up for the parties. Use this visibility for Bible study, for something sacred.” And I did. I’ll never forget leading those campus Bible studies—a room full of Greeks and non-Greeks late on a Thursday, wrestling through scripture, sometimes arguing about what Leviticus really meant. By the end, some brothers would hang around with tears in their eyes. I’d have Deltas or AKAs share prayer requests right there on the yard or at a party.

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Look, your public visibility—as a BGLO member—means eyes are on you. That’s not just pressure; it’s opportunity. The campus, your work place, your block, even your social feed, it’s your pulpit. I’m not saying every step or chant is holy, but your posture, your priorities, the way you serve—that’s the sermon.

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Our organizations were forged as institutions of resistance and resilience. The same way other folks might talk about legacy, for us, that legacy is real. The difference? When you bring Kingdom vision to your letters, you flip the script. You become God’s secret agent—no, scratch that, make it “Kingdom influencer.” Your platform isn’t just about achievement. It’s about Kingdom leverage. If you’ve ever wondered, “Can I blend Greek life and faith?” the answer is, you cannot afford NOT to. This is your lane. Walk it like Joseph did in Egypt, Daniel did in Babylon—don’t lose your identity, but use your platform.

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So what does it actually look like to bring some real Kingdom energy into your org? I get it—sometimes you’re one of a handful of Christians, and it feels like you’re holding it down all by yourself. That used to be me. Until I realized, “wait—I don’t have to do this solo.” Building a faith-driven network in your BGLO is key.

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It starts with finding just one other believer. Maybe you’re both interested in a prayer call, or you team up to volunteer at a church food pantry, or you’re starting a small lunchtime Bible study. Maybe it’s just checking in on each other, “Hey, bro, you fasting this week? Sis, how can I pray for you during line practice?” I always say: accountability isn’t just for keeping you out of trouble; it’s for keeping you full of purpose.

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Every one of these organizations thrives when we lean into community. But imagine if more of us—across chapters, across lines—linked up for Kingdom impact. I’ve seen it firsthand, especially with the Sacred Greeks movement. We’ve set up joint service outreaches where our sorors, the Zetas, the Alphas, Deltas, and Omegas come together for a voter registration drive or food distribution event or even a worship night. And man, when Greek letters and faith combine, it messes with people’s categories. Folks will come up and say, “Wait, y’all really get along? Y’all pray together?”

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Spiritual mentorship is a game-changer, too. I’ve had younger brothers approach me about leadership, spiritual confusion, or just balancing grades with everything else. Sometimes just saying, “Hey, let’s talk, let’s get some accountability,” can shift somebody’s whole semester. And don’t think it’s gotta be formal. Some of the best spiritual formation happens in a car, on the way back from a service project, or on a group text.

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Building these networks fights isolation, too. You don’t have to be the lone “churchy” one. If you’re intentional, you’ll find that there are others quietly holding it down for Jesus—even the ones you least expect. And if you can bring circles together across orgs, shoot, you’re not just building network, you’re building Kingdom legacy. That’s how Sacred Greeks started: simple prayer, honest testimony, and the desire to see more Greeks stand up in faith—together.

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Now, let’s get practical. One of the trademarks of BGLOs is service—like, real, roll-up-your-sleeves, get-your-hands-dirty service. But here’s where it gets interesting: how do you make sure the service you’re doing isn’t just philanthropy, but makes a true Kingdom impact?

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Look at how our fraternities and sororities have shaped the Black community, not just in voter drives or scholarships, but walking alongside people—mentoring, feeding the hungry, holding job fairs, and more. I’ve seen Divine Nine chapters do food distributions on college campuses or register folks to vote during election season. But I always say, don’t stop at handing out food—pray while you do it. Ask, “Can I pray for you?” Or invite folks to church. You can infuse these acts with Gospel-centered compassion, not just “good deeds,” but living hope.

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I remember a time my Sigma chapter put on a campus-wide "Sleepout for the Homeless." We had plans to pass out hot chocolate, coffee, snacks, information, the whole nine yards. During the event, one sister from another chapter grabbed my arm and whispered, “I feel like I’m supposed to pray for someone out there.” Before you knew it, students were asking not just for hot chocolate, but some for prayer for a family member or themselves. That’s when you know your service is more than tradition; it becomes a touchpoint for the Holy Spirit all up and down the campus.

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Don’t overcomplicate it. Gospel-centered service is just meeting real needs with real compassion—and not being afraid to connect it, gently, to your faith. Biblical values don’t have to be preached from a soapbox. Sometimes it’s about asking better questions, listening, and caring with that extra layer of, “Hey, I’m here because Christ calls us to be here.”

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Before I wrap, let me challenge all of us: when we take our letters and we surrender them to Jesus, it isn’t about denouncing, renouncing, or justifying—it’s about redeeming. Redeeming your visibility, your service, your relationships. That’s where Kingdom impact thrives. If you want to learn more, join the Sacred Greeks Movement by becoming a charter member at Sacred Greeks Skool. The link will be in the show notes. I want you to use your letters to build your own brand? Sure. But what if you used them to build God’s Kingdom, too? That’s my hope for us all as Sacred Greeks. If this podcast has blessed you, leave a comment or suggestion. Until next week, Let your light Shine! Good Bye!