Sirak's May 2017 Update! (Thank you so much for your support!)

My friends! My Team!

Thank you so much for your support and partnership! May was a fun month full of stories and memories of God's faithfulness. As the school year ended, we geared up for SICM (Student Institute of Campus Ministry) and the students that we invited grew so much. During SICM, our students learned how to be missionaries on their college campuses while still students. I remember in 2009 when I went as a student I had no clue what God's vision for his campuses were and 8 years later I am forever grateful for the SICM experience and the CCF Chi Alpha staff that had the vision to begin hosting SICM conferences those 20+ years ago!

I hope that the pictures below are encouraging and a glimpse into what your support has gone towards. God is building bridges and connections with so many students, pastors, parents, and professors due to your support and prayers. Thank you for walking side-by-side with me on this campus missionary journey. I am excited to re-commit another 4-years of my life to helping make disciples on God's college campuses! 

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you'd like prayer for anything in your life. Please be praying for our FOCUS staff as we prayerfully consider student leaders for this fall. These are students that will commit to leading small groups, meeting up 1/1 with their fellow classmates, and helping build God's kingdom on his campus!  

Enjoy the photos below:

The first Monday of every month I have had the privilege to meet up with other campus pastors in the DFW area to pray, fellowship, and share in what God is doing. Tom (yellow shirt) has facilitated this group and has had a big heart for bringing together pastors to encourage and share with!

My roommates (left to right: Brandon, Peter, and Rhett)! Sadly, our lease is coming to an end and we are all going our separate ways. Rhett (far right) will be heading to Denton to begin his year as a FOCUS apprentice at U. of North Texas! I have loved getting to work on staff with Brandon and Peter!

Jesse (middle) and Kufre (far right) have been a pair of students that I have had the privilege to meet with weekly. They lead a small group men's bible study at UT Dallas and these guys are wonderful to work with :) They are bright, godly, and very teachable. They have impacted so many students through their service in God's kingdom. Thanks guys!

While in Washington for SICM, Sarah King (our UTA campus pastor) and I took a trip up to Vancouver, Canada to interview Dr. Iain Provan, professor of Old Testament studies @ Regent College. Our interview was for our FOCUS Podcast! Follow us on instagram/twitter for podcast info!

Our 2017 SICM group during early-morning worship!

This summer, our FOCUS summer meetings have been such a fun ministry to be a part of. We have so many students stay in town for the summer and we provide them with a place to continue fellowshipping and growing together! We combine with all of our other FOCUS campuses so it is great to see all of the familiar faces :)

This week at church we did our annual baby-dedication. God has been showing me that campus ministry is about vision and perseverance. My dream is that all of these babies would be a part of a campus organization that is dedicated to making disciples for Jesus' glory. I turn 29 in one month and I am blown away at just how quickly time passes. I know that in just a short amount of time these babies will be freshmen walking onto campus for the first time trying to find where they belong. My prayer is that we would be the first people welcoming them on campus when they show up :)

Thank you so much for your support and believing in me all of these years. Five years ago I was just a lowly intern without an idea of what God wanted to do and as I look back I am deeply encouraged and reminded of God's faithfulness through the students that I've befriended and, mostly, through your partnership and consistency. Thank you and *raises glass*, here's to another 4 years!

Your brother and campus missionary,

Sirak!

What A Great Year!

My friends, can you believe it? We've arrived at the end of another year! I'm so overwhelmed with how faithful God has been and the many stories of his providence and presence in the lives of our students. These stories have happened because of people like you, who have committed to walk alongside us as we make disciples on God's college campuses!

I hope that you're not too overwhelmed by the amount of photos I posted! the 2016-17 year has flown by but as I type this blog I am reminded of God's faithfulness throughout the year. Life moves very quickly and as I reflect on these photos, I am challenged to slow down and reflect on what God has done. I hope that you all do the same through looking at each of these photos and being reminded of how your partnership has led to God's kingdom coming here in the lives of his children.

As the year comes to a close, I am reminded of a story that Jesus told in Luke 15:11-32. The story tells of a son who squanders the wealth of his father and returns home after lavish living. Upon his return, the father welcomes him with open arms and throws him a party. The younger son, prior to his return, convinces himself that his return will be justified if he returns home and becomes a formal servant of the father. As he returns, the father does not treat him as a servant but as a son - as an heir. The older brother is upset at this and despises both the father and his younger brother due to this unfair situation. 

I was struck with the idea that both brothers have a story that they are telling themselves about their relationship with the father. The younger brother tells himself that he is no longer worth to be called a son and decides to lay aside his sonship to be a servant. The older brother tells himself (verse 29) that he has been slaving for the father all of these years and not once has the father thrown him a party. Both sons are telling themselves a story that influence how they interact with the father. This idea/story challenged me deeply because I need to ask myself, "What story am I telling myself about this campus ministry journey?" Am I slaving for God like the older brother? Am I trying to work or earn my spot in his favor because I am not worthy like the younger brother? The best part of this story is the father's response to the brothers: "I am your father. You are my son." 

I hope that this story can challenge/encourage you in the way that it has for me. I thank you for your partnership and belief that this is worth it. You all are my inspiration and I'm beyond thankful to call you my team! Thank you for partnering with me and making this such a great year :) I hope that these pictures are encouraging to you!

Our 2016-17 FOCUS Staff! I am in the top left corner sporting a bowtie! It's been such an honor to work alongside these staff throughout the year.

We've been having different professors at UTD who are followers of Jesus come and share their testimonies with us on Friday nights. It's been such an life-giving experience for our students to hear from them. Many of our students have been emboldened and encouraged to go and share their faith with the staff and faculty at UT Dallas.  

Our Richland leader team! (From right to left: Karlo, me (Sirak), Catherine, and Sandra) I've loved getting to work alongside these students and share in what God is doing at Richland College. It's been bittersweet realizing that the school year is coming to a close and that we're going to say our goodbyes.

Michael, one of our UTD small group leaders sharing during Friday Night FOCUS about how investing is something that we do often with the knowledge that we'll never see the end result fully. We must invest with a vision in mind and with an open hand. It was such a powerful message for him to deliver to our ministry! 

I've had the opportunity to spend monthly time on Monday's at 7:00am with a few other pastors in the area. They are all involved with CRU (formerly, Campus Crusade), and they have been such a source of life for me. 

 Josh (middle) & Jeremy (right) led a weekly bible study at UTD. I've had the opportunity to meet with them weekly and help mentor them through the year. They both love God so much and care deeply for the students in their lives. I'm going to deeply miss meeting up with these guys every week! Great job this year guys!

Josh (right) and his grandmother got to meet me and a bunch of our Richland FOCUS guys. She usually picks him up from campus on Wednesdays and we were so excited to meet her! I've loved getting time with all of these guys and sharing in what the Lord is doing. (From left to right: me (Sirak), Jackson, Robin, Javon, Karlo, Josh's grandma and Josh!)

(From left to right: Sirak, Karlo, David, and James (David's dad)) James has been attending a few of our Friday Night Fellowship meetings along with his son David, who is involved in our Richland FOCUS ministry. We did an open-sharing event at our last Friday Night FOCUS and James got up and shared with our community what was on his heart. He shared how special it is to him, as a parent, to know that his son has friends and community away from home. Our community was very touched and encouraged by this! 

The men from our Richland core small group. I've been so blessed having these guys in my life to meet with, pray together, and dive deep into the scripture on a weekly basis!

Our Richland FOCUS ministry!

For our last Richland FOCUS meeting of the year, we spend time encouraging and lifting one another up. The question we asked, was: "How have you seen Jesus in the lives of the people in this room?" As we ate together, one by one the students began to share about specific people in the room who have impacted them and challenged them to grow!

Main main man right here. I've gotten to lead a small group with Karlo for the last couple of years and I've seen this guy grow so much. He's currently a junior at UT Dallas studying English and drives to Richland college every week so that he can lead the students there to know Jesus. He's been such an inspiration and model of Christ to those around him, especially to me! Grateful for this guy!

(From left to right: me (Sirak), Jesse, and Kufre) This year I've gotten the opportunity to meet up every week with these two guys! They are leading a small group together at UT Dallas and have been such a blessing to the men in their life. I'm blown away at their willingness to lead and consistency in following Jesus. These guys are the real deal! 

I am looking forward to touching base with all of you this summer! Thank you for your partnership and heart for this mission. Please don't hesitate to be in touch with me if there's anything that I can be praying for you about.

Your campus missionary,

Sirak

FOCUS April Student Testimony:

Sirak's March 2017 Update!

My friends! I can't believe that we're already in April. We've only got a month left in the school year and I am completely blown away at what God has done this year. 

This year we're sending over 80 students to SICM (Student Institute of Campus Ministry) in Bellingham, Washington. SICM is a week-long campus ministry training experience that we send students who have proven themselves to be faithful, available, initiating, teachable, and that have a heart for God and others. These are students that we feel called to develop into leaders and SICM is a huge catalyst in the process of our leadership development.

The SICM trip is not cheap. It is $800.00 total to attend and many of our students will be fundraising with the hope of being able to raise enough money. Please be praying that the Lord would open up doors and that they would be bold in asking others to partner with them to attend SICM.

Last week we flew in a group from Bellingham, Washington who are students at Western Washington University. This university is where CCF (Campus Christian Fellowship) is, the campus ministry that hosts SICM. These students flew down for their spring break to help with evangelism on our Dallas FOCUS campuses and be a source of encouragement to our students! I've got photos of some of what we did during their time down here below:

Our Dallas men's leader team! Every Monday night we all meetup and talk, pray, and seek the spirit on how we can serve our campus & students! I am so thankful and blown away by how the Lord has grown and developed these student leaders. It's because of these students that we are able to reach so many students. These are full-time enrolled college students who commit a year of their education to leading a small group and discipling their fellow students. 

On Saturday, April 1st, we'll be having our annual Spring Showcase SICM Fundraiser! I am going to be performing in a few of the closing numbers. In this photo, we are all rehearsing at Kurt Doty's (UNT FOCUS Alumna) residence.

The first picture of our 2017-18 FOCUS Apprentices. These are all students who have graduated across our FOCUS campuses and are devoting a year of their life to full-time campus ministry. Please pray for them as they fundraise this season for the upcoming year, God is going to move so powerfully through these students!  

Our Dallas FOCUS staff (Peter-left & Sarah-right) are both talking to our students before we begin SSI-week, a week full of outreach and evangelism on our campuses. 

We brought in a group of students from Bellingham, Washington, who were on their spring break, to help us with a week long evangelism initiative called, "SSI Week" (Spring Student Impact). We housed them for the week and different families from our church body graciously offered to cook and host them for dinner during the week. 

Keith (right), one of our hosts during the week, teaching Will (left), one of our students from Bellingham, WA, how to use a bow. It was so cool to get to see our students loved and hosted during the week. I love that our church family has members that are willing to host and serve these students at no cost!

Our SSI students from Washington came to Richland College two of the days during the week to help with outreach. We set up spikeball nets, threw around a frisbee, and walked around campus asking if any students needed prayer. It was such a powerful day to see how the Lord was working on our campus. 

Another picture of our outreach during SSI week. The weather was so gorgeous! We got to meet so many students and have great conversations with them about their spiritual journeys and how we can pray for them!

Last week at FOCUS we had Dr. Rebecca Files, a professor in the accounting department, come and share with our students her faith and the impact she is having at UT Dallas! It's so encouraging to see the Lord work in the faculty on our campuses.

We had Richland FOCUS outside last week and the weather was perfect! Please be praying for our students as we wrap up the school year. Many of our students will be transitioning to new universities and re-starting much of their life. Please pray for there to be a community to love them and to be a place where they can serve wherever it is that they go!

One of our students at Richland took a photo of me with his Snapchat app. Have y'all heard of snapchat? It is very popular with our students.

Thank you so much for all of your support and partnership over the years! I couldn't do any of this without people like you who believe in the mission and are willing to come alongside me and disciple students together :) 

I plan on getting in touch with all of you soon and please don't hesitate to contact me about anything you need prayer for! I'd love to catch up.

Your campus missionary & brother,

Sirak Asfaw

Sirak's February 2017 Update!

My friends! My family!

I can't believe we're here already in March! It feels like it was only yesterday that we were celebrating the new year together. Even though we have about two months left of school in the semester, our students are still going strong, building lasting friendships, and keeping the mission of our savior, Jesus, alive. I am so thankful to serve alongside these students who are committing their semesters to loving and discipling their fellow students.

Thank you for your support and partnership! Just as I am thankful for all of the students that God has provided for our ministry to lead and serve, I am also forever grateful for you and your partnership. I am now going into my fifth year of campus ministry and I couldn't ask for a better team of partners to walk alongside me on campus to serve our students! Thank you!

Each year, during the month of May, we send a group of students who have shown leadership potential to SICM (Student Institute of Campus Ministry) and it's there that they receive training on how to make disciples, how to mentor their fellow students, and how to be missionaries on their college campuses! We have selected three students at Richland college: Josh, Joseph, and Jackson. Please pray that they would be well-prepared and equipped to experience and retain what God teaches them during that week!

I hope that these pictures below encourage you and remind you of how faithful God is when we submit to his good and perfect will:

Next week and throughout the month of March, we will be doing outreach on campus. Be praying for us as we meet the students on our campuses!

Our Richland FOCUS men's bible study!

(from left to right): Yohan, Joseph, myself (Sirak), and Josh. These have been a few of the students involved in our ministry at Richland. 

This is a panoramic picture of the room we meet in on Friday Nights at UTD for our large-group fellowship. Thank you so much for your partnership! Every week our students gather for worship, fellowship and building community at UT Dallas!

Brandon preaching out of 2 Peter last week at our Friday Night FOCUS meeting! 

Peter Ueng, one of our UTD Campus Pastors, speaking at Pizza Theology. This year we spoke about race and our students were deeply engaged in discussion about such a polarizing topic to many!

Picture of the group that gathered to attend pizza theology this year. Our group of students are so eager to learn and are excited about building lifelong friendships here, in the community! I love getting to serve alongside them :)

Our February 2017 FOCUS Student Testimony!

Please be praying that we finish up the school year strong with our students and that we do not grow weary in doing good. There is still a lot of work to be done on our campuses and it can be tempting for our students to 'give up' and long for their summer vacation, however, we know that the gospel calls us to always be looking for where God wants to involve us!

Thank you so much for your support! Your belief in our mission and partnership has taken me further and deeper into the mystery of God's plan for his campuses than I could have ever imagined. I am blown away to call you my partners and am even more joyful to call you my friends.

Your Campus Missionary,

Sirak

2017 Is Off To A Great Start!

My friends! I hope this update finds you all well-rested and encouraged. I can't believe we're here in 2017 with each other! Around 5 years ago we embarked on this campus-missions journey together and I am grateful that you are still by my side with your support and encouragement. I hope that these photos below are a testament to God's faithfulness and your consistency!

We had our FOCUS Winter Camp in early-January and it was a blast! Students from all 9 of our FOCUS Campuses gathered together at sky-ranch camp for a weekend of worship, fellowship, and encouragement as we planned and prepared for the upcoming spring semester. Our theme during the weekend was, "Church Family", and it was one of my favorite winter camps I've ever been to. 

One of the most moving sermons during the weekend came Saturday night when Ronnie Worsham was discussing how we are the body of Christ and we need to stay connected to the head (which is, Christ). He provided the analogy of how our bodies are meant to respond and obey commands our brains give to them and our bodies do not serve their purpose if they are ignoring or disobeying what our brains command them to do. This was all shared to point out how often Christ (the head) gives us (the body) instructions & commands on how to live and we lose our purpose if we are disobeying or ignoring those commands. It was very insightful and our students were challenged by such a good picture of Christ and his body.

Our Richland FOCUS Students at Winter Camp 2017!

This is a picture from the back of one the sessions at winter camp. We brought over 600 students to our camp and it was so moving and encouraging to have all of our students there together.

We had a worship-team workshop to talk to our many student leaders on what our ministry values are as a worship-team, how to practice your instrument, and how to grow in confident expression towards God in front of your fellow students.

During the Richland College student organization fair, we met many students with our table set-up! 

Throughout the day we had many students walk up and ask questions about & show interest in our ministry. Every semester we pray that God would bring students that are eager and ready to hear the gospel and build lifelong friendships!

A selfie of our group from Richland FOCUS @ Winter Camp!

Our Men's bible study - every week we meet on Wednesdays at 1:30pm to study the bible, share in one another's life, and build community at Richland College!

Our UTD FOCUS ministry is growing and shaping  

I'm really thankful for these students. I am seeing more and more how they are submitting to the holy spirit and growing in wisdom. These students are the future!

Thank you so much for your support and partnership over the years. I'm blown away that I get to share the gospel with college students on God's college campuses with you all alongside me. Please be praying for us, that we finish the year well & strong. We are in the process of selecting student leaders for the 2017-18 school year so please pray for wisdom and insight as we move students onto God's agenda!

Please let me know if there is anything that I can be praying for you about!

Your brother & campus missionary,

Sirak