David's Farewell Ministry Update

 The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?" for it is not wise to ask such questions.

Ecclesiastes 7:8, 10

Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us- yes, establish the work of our hands.

Psalm 90:1-2,17

Hello, Friends!

    Tomorrow is my last day of my 2-year commitment with FOCUS, the last day of my 3 years as a vocational college pastor. But it's not the last day of my ministry. I wanted to use my last monthly update letter as an opportunity to highlight a few things that God's done over the years. Thank you, God. Thank you, reader.

1-on-1's







    There are many amazing friendships that God made blossom over these years. Matthew, Michael, Jason, Andrew, Ugo, Kenny, and Graham are pictured above. Not pictured are Luke, Cedric, another Matthew, David, Tom, Diego, Tyler, Mason, Adil, Timothy, Jeremy, and more. I cherish being with all of them. I was honored to see many of them accept Jesus' invitation to follow Him for the first time, or to befriend Him at a deeper level, or to be yoked to Him as a coworker. Thank you, God.

Cores




    From 2021-22, Orion and I led the first-ever core at the Wylie campus, a wild co-ed core with no expectations and lots of amazing firsts (like Matthew choosing to follow Jesus at the end of the year!). From 22-23, there was enough traction to have a core for each gender. Cedric and I led a tight-knit group of guys who really loved outreach. When we invited them to meet friends on campus, they showed up excited. From 23-24, Andrew, Ugo and I led one of the two guys' cores at the Frisco campus. My wife made dinner for the core every week, and we quickly developed a sincere affection for one another. They became friends with one another outside of our meeting time, had conflict and forgiveness and mutual encouragement. Thank you, God.

Staff





    I'm so thankful for all my co-pastors. Those that undertook the apprenticeship alongside me taught me that I was valued on the team, a contributor, but also taught me to do what I could do and go to sleep at night. My Collin staff teams have been faithful friends and mentors and encouragers. Thank you, God.

Family





    From my coworker (the first picture is our first day as FOCUS apprentices), to my fiancee, to my wife, to my daughter's mother, Alex has always been my biggest fan across these 3 years of ministry. When she notices I need food or sleep, she tends to my physical needs. When she notices that I need to process emotions, she reminds me to go to God, often reminding me of a psalm or sermon. She makes a point to know the guys I meet with, and she puts aside her desires to make sure they are loved, often by making and transporting food. Thank you, God.

Moving on

    Starting in June, I'll be training to become an actuary while working as an analyst at a small insurance company. Alex is working part-time in website maintenance. Both of us see our work as part of God's kingdom. Alex, Shayna and I will continue to attend the Wylie Northeast Church, striving to dig deep into it, slowly becoming pillars of that community as our family grows. We are receivers of God's gifts and enjoyers of His presence. We are God's children, His bride, His students, His slaves. We love God. God loves us.

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