We are Children of a Good Father

Worship at Fall Camp 23

Howdy and Hello!!! 

    Thank you all for your prayers, support, and reading. I am just so blessed to get to work in this mission field of college students, and it really is through His grace and your faithfulness. God is moving at UTA, and I can say I have seen the fruits of our labor.

    The big update for this month is that we went to Fall Camp. It is a weekend retreat that we take our students on. We will do teaching and worship sessions, play games, spend free time, and share meals with each other for 24 hours. To be honest, not much of what we do at Fall Camp is new to our formula of ministry week to week. But there is something about driving together to a camp site, away from home, with all of these fresh new faces that results in our students growing closer to one another and to Christ. My friend, Austin, put it well "This is the time of year that our students go from attending a random ministry they found, to being A PART OF the ministry of Focus." There is something about the short travel and staying the night that students start to see they are not just random visitors, but a part of this body of Christ followers.

Rhett and I planned group games that the students loved.
Here, Josh is transporting a rock from across the room with a spoon in his mouth.

    We did a three part series over Galatians at camp, and I got to close us out with a sermon about our identity as Children of God. So much of our adult life, we try to take on more and more responsibilities. We want to look accomplished, have control ourselves. We want to have authority over our decisions and life.  We try to bear the burdens of the world on our weak little shoulders and say "this is how it is supposed to be". All the while getting crushed.

    God calls us to be Children. Little ones who can do nothing but watch the Father take care of things. He wants us to stop struggling alone, and start depending on him. But as any parent would hope for a child, He hopes we mature. We are meant to grow and eventually partner with Him in His good works, still fully depending.

An old friend and a new one. Colton (on right) has been a faithful leader the past two years.
Johnathan is a new student getting his masters. He is so considerate and peaceful.

    The message I gave was one I needed to be reminded of, as I am sure most of America needs to be reminded of. We make ourselves so busy and we put so much pressure on ourselves. The good news is that I am not the center of the world, a lesson many young children have to learn for themselves. The center has the most pressure, the most burden to carry. The only one who can carry that is our Father. 

Mauricio and I with our core guy, Garrett

Kamaal, Garrett, and I making a statement at Fall Camp

    Most of my week is meeting with students one on one, but not all of them are people I get to meet weekly and really dive deep with. I am currently doing 9 one on one, weekly Bible studies. These are roughly 1.5-2 hrs long. Despite any of my own foolishness, I am seeing God move in these young men's hearts and lives. If you could pray over these names, I also put a brief goal I have for each of them. 

Aaron (sharing His Faith), Andrew (Self Awareness / Empathy), Armaan (Commitment), David (Stability), Garrett (Boldness), 

Israel (Sharing His Faith), Kamaal (Grasp God's Love), 

Nick (Commitment / Reliance on Christ), 

and Tyler (Trust in God and His People)

    Lord, I pray that all of these young men would take you seriously at your offer to surrender to you and gain true life. I pray that in the coming years, whether in FOCUS, or a local church, that these men would all be disciples of you, calling other believers to you, bearing much fruit in your name.

Keith is a long time returner in our ministry.
He is consistent and faithfully serves our ministry by helping with the sound systems every week.

Vincent has done nothing but thanked me from the moment I met him.
God has truly given a heart of gratitude and it is contagious.

    We also try to make lots of memories in college ministry. One recurring memory making activity is dressing up around Halloween during our TNF. It is fun, people come together for costumes, and it helps people take themselves less seriously. Our staff went as the early 2000's icon, Shrek.

Mauricio and I dressed good for TNF

Emily and I both as Shrek for the students

Mauricio is coming around to Waldo. Although he nicknamed him, "Carlos"

    Lastly, but very importantly, we are at that time of year again. Lots of large corporations and groups donate on Giving Tuesday to various non profits. We are one of those. So anything you donate to FOCUS on November 28th will be doubled by a match! This is a great way to be faithful, and help us reach new campuses in DFW.  Please consider donating on November 28th at this link. 

http://anyfocus.org/kfg