September Update

 

Counting Every Blessing

Hello everyone! 

Just a reminder, if you are receiving these emails it's because you have invested in my year as a campus pastor with FOCUS, and I am so full of gratitude for your generosity. God has been doing some incredible things so far on the SMU and TWU Dallas campuses, and it's only possible because of your gift! 

As I've said before, I am taking classes as a part of my apprenticeship. These classes include an Old Testament course, taught by Regent College's Iain Provan and other FOCUS pastors, pastoral ministry courses, leadership courses, and even a financial stewardship course. I have been able to process through important topics and issues pastors today are facing in their communities, such as how should the church address the polarizing climate of today's culture while continuing to love people well. We have also covered topics like balancing work and rest, discovering different spiritual practices, and stewarding finances well. 


Ministry has been blossoming here in Dallas. SMU FOCUS is seeing some of its largest numbers of students attending events such as TNF (Thursday Night Fellowship), and these students have a strong desire for community. One of the ways we provide a sense of belonging in the community here is through our small groups (aka Cores). We have three women's Cores and three men's Cores this year, with about 10 people in each. Even as a leader of one of these Cores, I have been extremely blessed by the students' excitement and desire to learn more about God and grow in relationships. TWU Dallas FOCUS has also seen an encouraging growth of women wanting to find community while going through medical school. I've found that there is a great need for connection here because medical school can be an intense burden, and I feel so blessed to be a part of bringing an avenue for connection to them.

One of my projects, while I'm here, is to lead and direct the worship at Thursday Night Fellowship. God has been using this project to grow me in new ways. I've found that the two hours of practice time each week has been very restful, as well as a wonderful way to let my praise and gratitude towards my Father flow through the music I play with fellow believers. I'm beginning to grow the team beyond what it has been so far, adding new people and doing tryouts every week. My goal is to be able to step aside as other students learn how to play as a cohesive team and lead the community in worship each week. I will be sure to have a good picture to display here next month!

God has showered me with blessings these first couple of months of the FOCUS apprenticeship, and I am looking forward to what He will do with the rest of my time here! Thanks again for tuning in to my monthly update, and I hope you all are well! God Bless!

Before you go, make sure to check out this upcoming month's student testimony!

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