Sirak's November/December Update!

This semester has been a journey. 

To be more specific, I think that every semester is a journey.  To me, the main (and perpetual, never-ending) question to ask oneself on such a journey is: What is God teaching me (on this journey)? 

There are usually two ways to answer this. The first way is to complete the "journey" (or, make It to a resting point) and reflect on what has transpired up to that point. (These "rest stops" can be voluntary or involuntary)

The second way is, in the midst of the journey, to create and facilitate "stopping-points" of your own making and purposefully ask: What has/is/will God teach/taught me as of then/now/upcoming/etc.? - you choose what to ask! (The important thing isn't what you ask - but that you choose to cease and be with God!) 

In other words - the first method is more static while the second method is more dynamic. 

Christmas break is a natural time for me to pause, reflect, and step into the first journey-reflection-option. In fact, I have a confession: In my 14 years as a college pastor, I have only recently decided to cultivate a continued practice of reflection and prayer not just when breaks (I am aware that many jobs do not have natural "breaks" baked in to their schedule) arrive - but continuously, throughout the semester - making my own rest-stops to (re)connect with God. 

This desire to pause & reflect has creeped up on me. 

Anaya is now 15 months old, and, I've lost count of the number of times friends would ask: "How are you doing? What is it like being a father? What is God teaching you?" My canned responses would be something like: "It's great! It's definitely a full-body experience! It's a journey!" The true response that I wanted to respond with was: I have no idea. I haven't stopped to ask myself those things. (becoming a new parent has introduced me to a type of exhaustion that I have not known before 💜)

Becoming a parent exposed some gaps in my life that have always been there and were calling out my name to tend to their care. Parts of myself that desire connection, care, and concern. When I do create space to pause and reflect, it's always a surprise what comes up. Questions, emotions, fears, doubts, memories, sensations, images, etc. all of it - and Jesus is right there with me to welcome it all and hold it all as I let him tend to my soul. 

This semester has been a journey. And, the more I pause to "check-in" with God, the more he colors and adds texture to my lived experience. What was routine and mundane suddenly becomes alive and vibrant. What's missing wasn't something externally - but what has been missing is an internal posture of surrender to God's hand with me and for me on this journey (of life). 

Paul writes in Ephesians 1:18: I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you. 

I interpret this text as Paul's encouraging invitation to the Church in Ephesus: wake up! God is with you! We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God! Keep going! 

As we wrap up 2024 and head into 2025 - my encouragement for all of you is the same: keep going - but don't forget to create a few pit-stops along the way to check in w/ our creator. <3 

Sloan, Anaya & I went to Downtown Garland's "Christmas in the Square"! It was fun and we loved watching Anaya interact with the Christmas lights 💙

Our Fall "Pizza Theology" was an awesome event! So many students gathered to serve and engage on our topic: "1st & 2nd Samuel". Rikk Watts, a New Testament scholar, came to share with our students and the absolutely loved it!  

Anaya has been loving life lately! She is running, babbling, eating (everything), and continually building her appetite for life & love! She loves giving mommy & daddy hugs, reads a TON of books, and enjoys running in any random direction at any given time. 

The different FOCUS male-pastors across our campuses gather bi-weekly to discuss leadership principles from "Habitudes" written by Tim Elmore. Our conversations have been rich and helpful in discerning the climate of our campuses in addition to discussing what the next step(s) for each of us are in our leadership journeys. 

Anaya doing her thing! 

My guy Meech had some car issues so we had to try to get his car right...which meant we stood In the parking lot for a while and googled "How to jump-start a car". 

Sandra led our students in a Wednesday Night FOCUS after-event coaching them in support-raising the costs for our upcoming Winter Retreat! The students were excited to engage with one another and brainstorm ways to invite their friends & family to help them pay for winter retreat! 

I feel extremely grateful for this group of students right here. Our student-leader team has been a deep source of encouragement for our staff. They show up each week with questions, ministry scenarios, and most-importantly: they show up with an open-heart ready to learn and grow. Our ministry has come a long way and God isn't finished w/ it yet! 

Joey & Veronica did a great job planning and facilitating our Christmas party. Our theme was, "Cozy Christmas" and the students showed up in their pajamas and cozy clothes! We did worship and we focused in on the theme(s) of longing and Christ meeting our needs through the Incarnation. It was a blast! 

Our students participated in a Gingerbread-house building competition. We loved seeing the students' creativity and innovation in action! I always forget that these students absolutely love competing and showing off their (unique) skills! 

I feel so grateful to work with this team! (from left to right: Sandra, Joey, Veronica, and myself!) 

She loves to sit in a metal mixing bowl and have me carry her around the house. Just thought I'd share. 

We had a great time at our Christmas party and it was a perfect end to a wild semester. Thank you for your support!

Thank you for believing in me and supporting out work on campus at Richland. I feel so blessed to get to walk with these students and serve them in my (limited) giftings and capacity. Please pray for our students as they go back home for the break - pray for their routines, their hearts, and their minds. There are too many distractions and temptations to name and we pray for them to make wise and fruitful decisions! 

Love you all! Have a merry Christmas and a happy new year :) 

Your brother,

Sirak