Hi ya’ll!
Happy (soon-to-be) Spring! Texas has a reputation for inconsistent weather. I would support that statement, especially since I feel like we hit all 4 seasons this past month. However, spring is my absolute favorite season so here’s to hoping it sticks around (consistently) for awhile! Spring in this year of apprentice-ing is a busy one though. Mix that in with a big bowl of “what will next year be like?”, we have an exciting time to look forward to that will need a lot of prayer. With that said, thank you so much for your support and prayers! I ask that you please continue praying often this upcoming month over what God is doing on our campuses and in my life.
Pizza Theology
One week ago, we held our spring pizza theology of the year - this time on the topic of race. We spent about half of the time listening to two lectures, and the other half listening to student testimonies from various walks of life. This one, without a doubt, was one of the most thought-provoking and emotionally challenging Pizza Theology that I’ve had the chance to go to. And I know I wasn’t alone in that. I think this effectively gave students some language they can use when having conversations about race and ethnicity, and helped students begin or encouraged them to continue thinking critically about important questions surrounding the topic. With a topic as sensitive as this one, I think the talks and testimonies enabled us to begin safe conversations with one another and allowed us to be vulnerable and honest about our experiences. I highly encourage you to take some time to listen to the audios, if you can. The audio can be found here!
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| Tirzah and I before core |
I am so encouraged by how God is growing the small community He is building at this single building campus in Dallas. The core I am leading this semester with Tirzah is a core of mostly first semester nursing students who are figuring this deal out. The first semester is often thought of as the most difficult of the four semesters of nursing school due to the transition and commitment that is required of them. It is such a blessing that we get to build friendships with each other in this time of adjustment, and be the prayer and support for one another that we need. I pray that God continues to deepen these friendships and use them to strengthen our relationships with Him, as well as to minister is whatever way He calls us to.
Spring Showcase
Our annual Spring Showcase SICM fundraiser is fast approaching! This concert and art show is a huge event that we put on every year to help support a group of FOCUS students that we are sending to Student Institute of Campus Ministry (SICM) in May. SICM is a week-long ministry training program put on by our friends at CCF in Washington that helps develop leadership skills for ministry and deepen their relationship with their Creator. I would love to invite you to come join us for this event on April 1st! You can get your tickets and find additional details here. We will have very talented people performing and selling their artwork! I hope to see you there! Here's a teaser video.
Prayer Requests and Praise!
- March is a busy month for us as a staff! We are actively preparing for Spring Showcase and to host a group of students coming down from CCF, a campus ministry in Washington, to do outreach on our campuses. Pray for the preparations being made and that it the work is glorifying and pleasing to God.
- Safety for our students during their spring breaks over the next week and half. Many are traveling out of town to go see family or to take a mini vacation. In addition to that, a lot of our students have midterms the week before and after their break. Pray that remain diligent in their studies, continue getting rest, and finding strength in God!
- I received my first acceptance letter to graduate school this past week. Praise God!! I am still waiting to hear back from the rest of the programs I applied to and will make a decision next month for where I will go. Please join me in thanking God for His goodness and faithfulness, and pray that He will give me discernment and wisdom in this big decision. I ultimately want to please Him and be obedient to where He is calling me.
As always, thank you again and again for your kindness and love. I appreciate all your prayers, and I hope you are able to catch a glimpse of the impact of them. Please let me know anytime of ways that I can be in prayer for you. I want to be able to serve you guys in the way that you all serve me! I love y'all a whole heck of a lot and hope you get to enjoy a load of sunshine soon!
