New Life - David's October Ministry Update

He who was seated on the throne said,

"I am making everything new!"

-Revelation 21:5

"Go, stand in the temple courts and tell

the people all about this new life"

-Acts 5:20

Hello, friends!

    What a beautiful day, don't you think? A wise friend of mine says that she makes every day good. And every day is indeed a gift from God.

    Thank you so much for loving and supporting both me and the ministry at Collin College. I hope this blog/email is an encouragement for you, because if you're reading this, you have a hand it making it possible!

New Matthew:

    If you've been a close reader of my blogs, you may recognize my good friend Matthew. I've asked you to pray for him at least once, and he's shown up in countless core pictures. Well, those prayers must've worked, because in April Matthew decided to give his life to Jesus, and in late October I had the great joy of baptizing him! I am so excited to have my friend become my brother. Praise the Lord! Please continue to pray for Matthew as he develops as a young christian, likely to face opposition from Satan's forces.

Fall Camp:

    In early October, Collin FOCUS enjoyed its yearly fall camp. Pictured above, the Wylie Men's core attempt to make fun of what is known as the "sorority squat", followed by a traditional, entirely serious picture. I would usually make space at a time like this to praise Cedric, the student that is sharing the load with me in leading the Wylie Men's core, and would point him out in the picture. Unfortunately, Cedric was sick during all of Fall Camp and wasn't with us except in spirit (and in phone calls and FaceTime). He's such a hard worker, meeting with many students that most people would write off as weird or difficult. But Cedric is inspired by Jesus to love everybody, and so he's making huge impacts in students' lives because of it.

Outreach:

  The top two pictures are from a small outreach event that Orion and I put on at the Wylie Campus- I approached students with a door that said "To the one who knocks..." and whenever a student was curious to knock on the door, I'd say "trick or treat!" and offer them some candy that I was carrying. Students were so elated at the surprise! Both Orion and I were able to meet new students this way and have interesting conversations with them about Jesus and knocking on a door of faith. The bottom-left picture is from an cookie-decorating outreach event that the apprentices put on at the Plano campus. I made a "spooky" Christmas tree, and I made some new friends there too. The bottom-right picture is from a special TNF we did in partnership with an Iranian congregation that shares the building we meet at. We approached it like an outreach event. As a result, more Wylie students came that Thursday than on other Thursdays this year, and it was such an encouragement to meet believers from Iran and get to hear their testimony.

My life:

    My wife and I build a blanket fort one weekend this month and in it, reflected on how God has been good to us. I'm thankful (and scathed!) to have recently been convicted of some sin in my life. Though I was scared to admit those sins, God has abundantly showed me care and warmth. Pray that he continues to convict me and that I would not ignore him, but listen and repent, no matter how hard it may feel. He's been so good to me!

Keep Focus Growing:

    Every year, Focus does a big fundraising push to cover the costs that aren't covered by staff salary donor teams. Things like camps, books for apprentices, and written-off donations are covered by this fund. Some of our generous donors have banded together and agreed to match up to $54,000 in total donations during this campaign. So if we receive $54,000 in total contributions, they will kick in a SECOND $54,000! Your first chance to give will be on November 29th, which is giving Tuesday. Ways to make a gift are in the graphic above. We greatly appreciate your generosity!