Late August & September were full of events and activities with the goal of: connecting with new students!
Serving in ministry at a community college, I am continually aware of of influx of new students and the outflux (is this a word?) of students transitioning to their next season of life.
This dynamic has presented no shortage of challenges in terms of long-term discipleship. However, I am learning that, to God - challenges are opportunities and problems are invitations to seek new venues and mindsets for growth.
Discipleship has always had a special place in my heart. The call to follow Jesus was instrumental to my faith journey during my time in college. Subsequently, the invitation to discipleship was a natural next step for me (and many others).
God has been (slowly) revealing to me that prior to both the invitation to discipleship and the call to follow Jesus, is the acceptance of God's unfailing love as the foundation of ones entire being.
In many ways, this does not change anything. In fact, it deeply colors and amplifies everything! The messages of: You are loved. You are known. You are created for a purpose, and You are God's child - Can often be messages that are skipped over or forgotten along our faith journey.
This year, we are hoping to (re)communicate those core messages within the work we have already been doing on campus. God loves you. You are known. You are created for a purpose. You are God's child.
This has proven to be more challenging in ways otherwise not predicted. Have I forgotten these core messages? Have I become dependent on productivity, tasks, and output while neglecting my own sonship?
Please pray for us as we attempt to faithfully share this foundational message of our faith: that God loves Richland! :)
Enjoy the pictures below!
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| This year, we hosted a few worship nights and they were wonderful! We got to connect with new students and worship God together :) |
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| Our 2025-26 Richland FOCUS Pastors! (From left to right: Maria, Sandra, Becca, and myself!) |
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| Here is our Wednesday / Thursday "lunch bunch" crew! Each week, we gather to discuss a person from scripture who encountered God's love and how that love transformed them! |
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| Wednesday Night FOCUS is off to a great start! We are excited about what Wednesday nights are going to hold for us :) |
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| Another picture of our Wednesday "lunch bunch" crew! |
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| Anaya had her first day of pre-school and it was something that I never could have prepared myself for! Wow - how do parents do this...every year? |
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| Anaya turned 2! Wow. wow. wow. wow. She is growing so much and experiencing all of the joys of life. Feeling so blessed to be her dad :) |
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| Often, Anaya will dress up and say, "Okay! I'm ready for FOCUS!" I think she's figuring out that she's cute ✌🏾❤️ Any tips on what what to do now? |
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| Maria & Sandra met a ton of new students during welcome-week! There are always new students walking by our tables who may be interested in making new friends & connecting :) |
Thank you for your support & for believing in our mission to love college students!
I am grateful for each of you and am so excited for what the future holds for our ministry. Thank you for being a part of our story.
Your brother & campus missionary,
Sirak
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