How's it going? I hope you are all doing well and that the month of September was restful and peaceful for you. You know, what? I was thinking recently about God's presence and the question of: What does it look like exactly to invite people into God's presence?
I used to think that it meant 1) inviting people to church 2) inviting people to core (or, small group) 3) asking people to hang out/study the Bible with you 4) pray together 5) (insert spiritual activity here).
This is a question that many students are consistently asking me and wanting the ultimate 'guru advice of'. How do I experience God's presence? Sometimes I want so bad to be able to tell my students: "THIS: __________________ is how you do it. And then, you'll be 100% done!" - But, it doesn't simply work like that.
There are moments in my life that I can look back on and think: "Wow, I was in God's presence that entire time and I didn't even know it." - Almost as if God was beckoning me into his presence time and time again but I may have just been ignorant to his call, busy with life, concerned with the worries of my everyday stress, and other reasons.
Some of these moments could've been the 1st core I ever led as a student, my first fall camp, my first 1on1 bible study with a leader, and other reasons. As I reflect on the past month, I can see that God is calling his students to be in his presence time & time again - and, here's the twist: he is with us. He is inviting us into his presence.
I imagine someone who is wondering whether or not they're invited to a party. They may sit around and wait for an invitation, pace back & forth in stress, prepare their outfit, wonder who is going to be there...but...ultimately it is dependent on whether or not they're invited. God has already invited us to his party: his presence. I hope that these photos are encouraging and a great reminder of the students who are responding to his invitation to his presence. Cheers!
Thank you so much for your donations and prayer - your support means the world to me!
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| Our student group that came to Fall Camp! Love them! |
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| So thankful for our student leader team :) |
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| I get the privilege to teach/preach every week at Thursday night Thunder - this year we have such a special group of students. They are excited, attentive, and ready to engage with God! |
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| Our Wednesday, 1:30pm men's core! Dayo & Josh do such a great job leading these guys. |
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| One of our student leaders, KB, sharing at Thursday Night Thunder. She is such a strong woman of God who we are grateful for. She is at Richland for her sophomore year and is doing a great job leading our students :) |
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| We got to have dinner with each other at Richland Fall Camp and it was awesome! We took communion together afterward and it was a very fun and meaningful experience together. |
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| Howard Wang (see bottom right...) took this photo. Not sure what I am doing here, haha. Maybe preaching? Maybe singing? Maybe providing commentary on everyone eating breakfast? |
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| I get to lead core with Kendall (top back right) and he does such a great job with our guys. I've really enjoyed spending time with all of them on Thursdays @ 4:30pm. They are always excited and ready to learn together! |
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| We had our students lead YIA (You In Action!) time at FOCUS! Love them |
Thank you again so much for your support and believing in our mission! I can't believe that it's already October - the year has been off to such an amazing start and I'm blown away that I get to work with such amazing students and staff.
Please don't hesitate if you have anything in your life that you would like prayer for.
Until next time,
Your brother & campus missionary,
Sirak
