The busiest month of the year!

We are off to a great start this August.  Upperclassmen started moving in yesterday at UTD and freshmen are coming in the next couple days.  Our leaders, both students and staff, have been diligently preparing to welcome new and returning students with help, friendship, and the opportunity to learn more about Jesus.  Just this week we'll host a pool party, an ultimate frisbee night, and a trip to the dollar theater.  On top of that, our students will be attending all sorts of official university events with the goal of making as many new friends as possible!  At those events you would see FOCUS members meeting new students, drawing in people who are by themselves, starting up games and activities, getting contact information, and inviting people to other events.  Doesn't it feel good to get a personal invitation when you are new somewhere?  Be in prayer that we'll make the most of these great opportunities--the first two weeks after move-in sets the course for the entire academic year in campus ministry.

Especially pray for all of our leaders who happen to be more quiet or shy.  This is when they really step out of their comfort zones in order to serve freshmen and transfer students who don't have friends yet.  But God can and will do amazing things through those sacrifices--I've seen it over and over.  It reminds me of the title of a book I've never read: If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat.  I mean, with a title like that, do I really need to read the book?!  God does His biggest miracles outside of our comfort zones, and I love seeing young disciples step out of their comfort zones in an effort to be more like Christ.

August also saw the beginning of the 2013-2014 FOCUS Staff, serving 6 campuses!  I'll be investing a lot of my time in this extraordinary team.  Pray that I would have wisdom and insight as I lead our team in leadership development for the coming year.

Thanks for your partnership through friendship, prayer, and finances.  This is a team effort and we couldn't do it without you guys!