The End of One Season and the Beginning of Another-May Updates

Hello Friends!

Thank you to everyone for your constant support these past 10 months and being part of this journey in ministry. It truly wouldn't have been possible without you! Without supporters like you partnering with me, I couldn't have done the apprenticeship with FOCUS and have been at SMU getting to disciple college students and share the story of Jesus with them. So thank you again!

The end of this month wraps up one of the most life-changing 10 months of my life. During this apprenticeship, I have learned a tremendous amount about myself, about God and who He is. I have learned about how He sees me and about what it means to live as a disciple. I have learned about the Bible and how to read it well and about topics like the Holy Spirit, Strategic Leadership and Body Stewardship. I have learned how to help lead a college ministry and think pastorally about those in it. But I think most importantly this year, I have learned that it is absolutely necessary for us to remain rooted in Christ.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (this has been one of the big verses on my heart!)

 As someone that naturally is bent towards independence and self-reliance, I struggled this year with admitting my dependence on God and acting on that by pausing my busy schedule to stop and be with God. I realized my need for not just sound bites of scripture and snippets of prayer but for real intimacy with the Almighty. That meant me slowing down and seeking Christ and not mistaking doing ministry as a replacement for intimacy with God. It would be nice to be able to tell you that I don't struggle with this anymore and that I have it all fixed, but I think what I have also learned is that we are going to be constantly learning and growing in our relationship with Christ at every stage of our life, and that's ok! Because it is not about me being perfect and good but about God being good and us being dependent on His goodness. Praise God for that!

Our last event at SMU for the Spring semester-- Late Night Study Session! We had games and spaces to study. There is not a whole lot of studying going on in the picture above...

Students actually studying at Late Night Study Session!

 FOCUS Staff Diner! We had a picnic style dinner and shared stories from this year!

Our FOCUS student leader team! It has been such a blast and a huge encouragement to work with these guys! 

As this season wraps up, I am so excited for the new season that is starting--being a FOCUS staff member! As I mentioned in my blog last month, I am staying on FOCUS staff as a campus pastor for both SMU and TWU Dallas for this upcoming school year! I am so excited to see what God has in store for this next year and I want you to be a part of it! Please be praying for our students that will be starting or continuing school this next year and that God would already be opening their hearts to receive the good news about Jesus!

Thank you all again for your generous and faithful support this past year and I am so excited for the next year to come! Love you all! 

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