February Update!

My friends!

I hope our short month of February left you feeling blessed and in awe of the many blessings we receive from our Lord. March is officially here so you know what that means: spring break, SSI week (students from Washington state coming down for a week of evangelism!), SICM preparations, and mid-terms for our students.

This month I have had some time to really be thankful for how God has blessed the UTD FOCUS leader team. Our students who serve on our team are so servant-minded and in tune with the needs of our campus. I remember back when our ministry was much smaller and wondering: how are we going to reach this campus with only 20 leaders? Then God gave us 30 leaders...then 40...and now as SICM approaches we may have even more this fall.

The way we select leaders is based on our F.A.I.T.H acronym (Faithful Available Initiating Teachable & Heart for God and others). When we select student leaders each year we ask ourselves if these students possess the said qualities. God continues to use the student-leaders in our ministry to impact and raise up future generations of students ready to impact God's campus for his mission. Please pray for our current student leaders; that they (and the staff) finish the year well!

Glenn, me, Jalen, and Ryan. These are just some of our student leaders (Jalen & Ryan. Glenn is on staff) who help impact our campus as UTD. 

We have had a little bit of difficult reserving rooms on campus this semester but we build a friendship with a woman named Betsy, who is a priest at a local Episcopalian church down the street from UTD and they said that we would meet there whenever we'd like to! Praise God!

We have been reading scripture together as a community on a consistent basis. Here is a shot of one of our Friday Night FOCUS gatherings.

Last week at FOCUS I got to preach on dating! It's such an important topic to cover with college students in making sure that we are constantly asking ourselves what it looks like to be like Jesus when the world has so many messages for us.

"Feed My Starving Children" is an non-profit christian organization that packages and sends meals to hungry children in third-world countries. As a UTD community, we got to attend one of their Saturday morning packing sessions and serve our brothers and sisters across the globe.

None of this would be possible without your support through monthly donations and prayers. I am blown away that I wake up every morning and get to serve Jesus on his college campuses. I promise that I will never take it for granted. I wish that you were all here with me every day ministering with the students, however, I know that through your support you are right alongside me as we are co-missionaries with and through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Please pray that God would continue to raise up his student leaders moving forward into the summer and next year - he's got big things planned!

Your campus missionary,

Sirak

2015, Winter Camp, and More!

My friends, my people -

We're already a month into 2015 and I cannot be more thankful for where God has us and the work he has us all involved in through his mission. We had our annual winter camp for all our FOCUS campus ministries and it was such an encouraging time to be with everyone. Iain Provan, a professor of the Old Testament from Regent College (Vancouver, BC), came to speak to us for the weekend.

It was our biggest winter camp yet and I am beginning to see how your support (along with the hundreds of other mission supporters) is making a difference on parts of our ministry that I don't even see. Students from small community colleges throughout the metroplex where there aren't any other campus ministries are hearing the gospel and experiencing spiritual friendships for the first time! Praise God!

In my next few blogs I'm going to add testimonies from students on our UTD FOCUS leader team. They are in the process of discipling countless students on campus and are having the time of their lives doing it, however, I think it's important to remember how they have been impacted by campus missions. Here, first, is Marcus:

"Having come from a church where I was the only college-aged member between a chasm of high schoolers and young married couples with kids, campus ministry has been my main community to serve God and make disciples. Godly men like JD and Sirak have poured into my life and have painted the vision for me and have been spiritual leaders in my life-setting young adult life. I have been equipped to go and teach and invest is others to show them the love and gift I have received from campus ministry and will continue to take what I have learned with me wherever God takes me." 

Marcus and I meet weekly with his small group partner and I think that it is awesome to think about how he has grown and been shaped my campus ministry. I met Marcus for the first time last year but he was a leader at one of our community colleges and had transferred to UT Dallas and jumped into leadership because the Lord called him to impact people. He's such a great guy - I hope his testimony encouraged you.

Enjoy all the pictures below!

Our first Friday Night FOCUS @ UTD after Winter Camp. Our students were so excited to get back together!

The view from the top balcony at winter camp - Brandon is seen on the stage delivering his talk on theology of vocation.

I had the privilege of leading worship on Saturday morning at camp, this was a picture of our students gathering inside and finding their seats.

Our UT Dallas FOCUS ministry! These are the students that I get to be with and serve on a daily basis - Thank you for your support and vision for what we're doing on God's college campuses - this camp experience really grew our students and ministry together!

I wish every one of you could've been with me at camp over MLK weekend to see what God is up to on his college campuses. It was a reminder that HE IS FAITHFUL. I am constantly trying to understand how to get into a good rhythm with life, work, and studies so I can be effective for the Lord but when I go to camp and see just how consistent and omnipotent God is I am blown away and can only respond in worship. He is capable of more than we can ever ask or imagine - may we meditate on this and remember that he is Lord!

Thank you for your belief in the mission and willingness to be active participants in the gospel with us!

Your campus missionary,

Sirak

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year :)

I can't believe it's 2015 now! I remember on December 31st, 1999 I had just moved to the Untied States from Toronto, Ontario and I celebrated New Years with my older brother while my parents went to a family party. I remember praying, "God, wherever you lead me - I will follow." As a 10 year old at the time I was not sure the implications for what I prayed but looking at it 15 years later I am blown away at God's faithfulness and hand in my life as he has continued to lead me.

The month of December was so eventful (it was also very EVENT-FULL!). I was blown away at how quickly the semester had flown by & also at how great of a job all of our student leaders have done this year (see pictures below). My peer team is getting ready to prepare themselves for another great semester of ministry and serving college students - please pray for them and the work they are doing. They have been so consistent and faithful in their pursuit of discipleship.

I had the opportunity in mid-December to serve in a mission trip headed for Hollygrove, New Orleans. This was a city that flooded terribly in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit. I posted pictures below for you all to see. It was such a challenging week because I spend a lot of my time meeting and ministering to college students who are from a mostly upper-middle class background and have some academic idea of who Jesus is. When we got to Holly Grove we were spending time throughout the week with kids aged 4 years to 14 years old and their only experience with Jesus was this little after-school ministry called "Jesus Project Ministry".

God still moved and showed us a lot about himself in Holly Grove - he showed us that his gospel is extremely adaptable and always moves to the darkest of places, regardless if his people follow or not. We got to put on a Christmas party for all the kids in the neighborhood, hand out gifts, play basketball with the older kids, share about Jesus, and build lasting relationships (I definitely plan on going next year)! Enjoy the pictures below!

My peer team that I meet up with weekly. Top row: Charles, Morgan, JD, Austin, and Stephen. Bottom row: Marcus, Me, Ryan, and Zack. These guys are paving the way for countless students to know and experience the grace of God.

Panorama shot of our UTD 2015 Christmas party. Our theme was "Christmas Morning", so a lot of our students came dressed in their pj's. We had breakfast casseroles and sang christmas morning-ish songs with each other :)

Debra, one of the two leaders of Jesus Project Ministries. God called her down to New Orleans after Katrina hit and she hasn't left since. She is a strong, strong, strong woman of God and she knows her stuff. I used to work in after-school car when I was in college but I've got nothing compared to what she has done in New Orleans - I was so blessed to have met her.

Our group standing alongside with members of the neighborhood praying at the end of the day. 

Our team-lead Matt helping put up decorations with one of the kids from the neighborhood. 

I got to become friends with lots of the kids throughout the week. I was blown away at how 'mature' these young people were. Seven, eight, and nine year olds were thinking and talking at a very high level; they were able to talk about challenging things, joke around, and be themselves around us immediately. It was such a joy to serve them throughout the week.

Our end-of-the-week Christmas party! The kids put on a hip-hop dance routine that the people loved!

In the end, this is the group we went with! Our last photo before we headed out to Dallas!

It's a sad thing to realize that 2014 is over (these years fly by faster and faster, huh) but we can look forward with our eyes and hearts because we know that we serve a faithful God who is always with us scanning the horizon beckoning us home. I wish you were all here alongside me on campus with the students but I know that through your partnership we are one together in mission and we are co-laborers with Christ. This all wouldn't be possible without you!

Your campus missionary,

Sirak

November Update! Be Thankful!

God has been up to so much at UTD over the last month. He is really preparing our students hearts for our annual winter camp this January! (Also) SOMETHING EXCITING: If you haven't heard about our #FOCUS140 campaign please watch the video below!

We've had students impacted tremendously through campus ministry and wanted to invite you to take part in our campaign to keep FOCUS growing as we move to new campuses and follow God where he leads us. Campus ministry has challenged me to expand my vision for God's kingdom and has humbled me to understand and trust him. He is so good! As we prepare for finals and Christmas break, please pray that our students would finish the semester strong and that God's will would be made known to those who are still unsure about what God wants from them. 

Enjoy the pictures below!:

Thanksgiving potluck that FOCUS hosted for our students who stayed in town over the holiday. We had some great Turkey and got to know lots of international students.

My peer team I meet up with every week! (Bottom: Marcus, me (Sirak), Ryan, and Zack. Top: Charles, Morgan, JD, Austin, and Stephen) These students have been such a joy to meet up with and spend time with. They all have volunteered to spend this year serving our students and being involved in disciple-making relationships; please pray for them as they impact UTD!

                                         

One of our students, Kimberly, getting baptized by our UTD FOCUS intern, Ana!

After Kimberly's baptism we all took a group photo - we are so happy to have her a part of our ministry and are so thankful for God's grace in calling her towards him!

None of this would be possible without your support and commitment to partnering with us on God's college campuses. I hope you all had a blessed thanksgiving and are moving closer and closer to Jesus everyday. I wish you were all here with me walking the campus and being involved in conversations with these students, but I know through your support that you are just as near in your partnership.

Your campus missionary,

Sirak

Happy October My Friends!

Wow! I can't believe we're two months away from 2015 :) Time is flying over here at UT Dallas and we couldn't be happier with what God is doing. Your support and vision for FOCUS is showing fruit everyday as we get to walk onto campus together and meet with God's students. Every time I think of you I am filled with joy and thankfulness. Joy because of how God has ministered to all of you to bring you to partnership with us and thankfulness because I get to remember everyday that you believe in our mission and walk with me on campus in my mind and heart!

October has flown by quickly and we are already preparing for our Christmas Party, Winter Camp, end of semester activities, and planning for spring!

Campus ministry is all about relationships. Jesus said in John 13:34-35 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." I got to complete my first 'full-circle' of campus ministry a few weeks ago, haha (let me explain). Four years ago a young freshman named Sagar Gandhi walked into my small group at UTD FOCUS and my life would be changed forever. We got to study the bible, make winter-camp and other ministry videos, cry, and lead others to Jesus with one another. Three weeks ago he got married to his lovely wife, Carissa, and it was a pure joy to see God lead them together. I got to be a groomsman in his wedding and I think I wept through the whole ceremony thinking of God's faithfulness and love to his people :)

As Sagar and Carissa begin their life together I am praying that God would use me to be a light to another group of freshmen walking onto UTD's campus for the first time. God is so good and faithful and I can't begin to fathom why he uses broken people like us to accomplish his good and perfect will. All praise to Him!

I hope and pray you're encouraged by the photos and stories below:

Sagar (middle) a few minutes before the wedding ceremonies begin! Don't be fooled by the picture, he was so excited to marry such a beautiful, godly woman!

Matt Wills (FOCUS Intern 2013-14), myself, and Grant Trotter (FOCUS Intern 2013-14) got a chance to catch up with each other last week over dinner. Both of these young men got to serve in our one-year internship impacting students and being a light to their campuses. They are both working full-time and are involved in our Denton North church.

We had a photobooth set up at our FOCUS Halloween party and our students loved it (some of the costumers were...creative, haha - see below)!

Students posing in our photo booth together at the Halloween party!

Andrew Pham (FOCUS Intern 2011-12), myself, and Ana Fineout (FOCUS Intern 2014-15) - cleaning up after our Halloween Party!

I got to meet Lee and Darrel (both married 50 years to each other!) around a month ago and they invited me and my roommates over to their house for dinner. I met Lee while walking around my neighborhood in Plano one day and she easily became one of my most favorite people of all time. They both have lived a full life of ministry, family, and discipleship. I even found out that they are also involved in reaching out to international students at UTD! I was tremendously encouraged by their stories of God's faithfulness. Sometimes I struggle with thinking through what it looks like to have such a powerful, real trust in the Lord. I think much of that comes through walking with God for a time - but after meeting with these two faithful laborers of God I was absolutely blown away at their faithfulness and trust. It encouraged me greatly to continue to seek God and walk with him through everything!

Kyle, Junior @ UT Dallas - was baptized this past Sunday by one of our student leaders, David. Praise God!

After Kyle's Baptism we all took a group photo together - his family was so encouraged and thankful to see their son baptized into the Lord :)

I hope you all had the opportunity to look through all of the stories and pictures I posted :) I am just so excited to share all this with you to show how your support is furthering God's kingdom! The vision is happening at UTD! Disciples are being made and relationships formed to impact future generations of his people!

Please pray that we, as a team of students, staff, and volunteers would finish the semester strong and seek the Lord in what he has planned next semester - I've got a feeling he's got huge plans for us and is looking for a people that is after his heart.

I wish you were all here with me at my side but I know through your support that you are with me every step of the way through your commitment and support of campus ministry & God's mission. Love you all so much!

Your missionary,

Sirak! 

September Update!

My friends!

The month of September has been full of encouraging stories to tell! I included a couple below:

1. When I was a student at UT Dallas I was a server at Cheddars Casual Cafe in Garland, TX. While I was there I crossed paths with probably hundreds of different servers who were employed by the restaurant. There was one server in particular named Grant whom I interacted with off and on at work but nothing consistent. In mid-September I ran into Grant on campus and we began to catch up (we haven't seen each other in around 3 years). I learned that he had several life-shaping experiences and has begun to follow Jesus! We've talked more and more over the weeks and he is wanting to study the bible together - praise God! Please pray that our friendship and bible study would be enriching for Grant and that he would go on to make disciples in his life!

2. Campus ministry changes from year to year and as students graduate we pray that God would fill roles that they may have served in from year to year. We have been praying for students to step up and join our worship/praise/sound team(s) this year and God has answered in a big way! We have had over 50 students sign up to help with sound, moving equipment, playing instruments, singing, and doing creative things at our big group services. We are having a worship & sound training day/hang out on Oct. 11th and I'd invite you to pray that these students would impact the next generation of students here at UT Dallas!

I wish you all were on campus with me seeing what your support has been going to. We had our UTD FOCUS Fall Camp this past weekend and it was a blast! I included (lots of) pictures below for you to see. Thank you so much for all of your support - partnering with you is such a joy and encourages me in any situation I find myself in. Knowing that you believe in the mission and believe in me means the world.

IMPORTANT: One of our student leaders, Ryan, found out a few weeks ago that his kidneys are failing and that he will need to have a kidney transplant. He began dialysis today to begin filtering his blood as he waits on a transplant. He will be doing dialysis around 14 hours per week, leading a small group, taking classes, and meeting with students. It has been a challenging experience but he is trusting God and in good spirits. Please pray for peace and wisdom during this time. Also pray that a donor would come up quick in the lists so that we can have Ryan back quick! (see picture below)

Myself (left), Morgan (middle), and Ryan (right). Morgan and Ryan are both small group leaders in FOCUS. We went to visit Ryan during our weekly meeting. Please pray for Ryan!

Our UTD small group leaders meeting on Monday to discuss fall camp, how small groups are going, and to pray with one another. These students are off to a great start for the year!

This was our third FOCUS meeting for the year. I got to lead our community in worship and see how powerful God is in calling his students to praise his name together :)

During Fall Camp our students played LOTS of fun (and sometimes a little violent, haha) games with one another.

The group of UTD students who attended FOCUS Fall Camp! We are so thankful for your support and prayers - it was such a great weekend of discipleship and worship! (I am bottom right)

I am so honored to have you on my support team. Please pray that we would not stop working hard for the Lord and that no students would fall through the cracks and not be offered the opportunity to be a part of a 1 on 1 disciple-making relationship. I love you all and hope to hear from you soon!

Your campus missionary,

Sirak

Moving Forward Into New Beginnings Our

My Friends!

At this point we are two weeks into the school year and I am so blown away at what God has been doing this early in the fall semester. Some of our student leaders have already met and befriended ten, twenty, even thirty students at UTD's welcome week events! Please pray that God would prepare the hearts of these students who have been invited to small groups and that our leaders would be well rested and organized to not let any of these students slip through the cracks. Pray that God would build lifelong friendships beginning here at UTD!

Warning (A lot of photos!): I wanted to just show you all what your support is going towards. This year is all about sharing the gospel with students and making the name of Christ known at UTD :) I wish you all were here working alongside us as we work each day on God's college campuses but through your support I view all of you as co-laborers in Christ with me!

We had our leader retreat just this last weekend (with the U. of North Texas, Texas Woman's University, Collin College, and Richland College campuses) and it was such a great time to meet with over 100 of our student leaders who are going to impact our college campuses. These student leaders are commiting 10+ hours/week of their busy college schedules to be vessels for God's word reaching students.

See encouraging pictures below of these first few weeks of school!

Our UTD FOCUS student leaders preparing for the school year. We have over 40 student leaders this year who are facilitating small groups, leadind 1 on 1 bible studies, and planning events for students on a weekly basis. 

I (sitting top middle) got to go out and eat authentic chinese food with some international and transfer students. It was delicous!

We had a combined worship night with many of the campus ministries at UTD before the school year began. It was a night of prayer, preparation, and encouragement as we go out into the year reaching this campus for Jesus!

Our first Friday Night FOCUS! We met in the Clark Center and we almost packed it out. God was so faithful with who attended, we had over 150 students sign up to be in small groups! Please pray for our students and leaders - that lifelong friendships would be made and the gospel would be spread throughout UTD :)

Another shot of our first FNF

Our student organization fair table - we've had hundreds of students sign up to be involved in small groups this year!

Meeting students in the comet cafe!

I can't begin to thank you enough for what your support has helped accomplish thus far by the grace of God :) I pray that you all would be strengthened and encouraged by these photos and updates to know that your support is going towards making Jesus' name known on God's campuses. 

Please pray that our staff would remain attentive to the needs of our community and that we'd be ready and able to respond to the spirit regarding the situations that arise in campus ministry. I love you all and wouldn't be able to do any of this without your support!

Your campus missionary,

Sirak Asfaw