Collin FOCUS staff 2020-2021 (+ little Jack Davis)
Let's Reflect:
The pandemic school year has come to a closed, and things are starting to go back to normal. It was crazy to think back that COVID began and changed the way we interacted with people just a year ago. Time has flown by when you are adapting to change, whether you like it or not. This school year has been different and weird because we all had been doing ministry at Collin. We were meeting outdoors, wearing masks every day, and staying six feet apart. The cool thing I've seen come out from this year that was encouraging to me was seeing our ministry face opposition and trusting in God's provision to protect us through this pandemic year. That is good news!
Back in December, I wrote a blog post about my reflections as a minister on how campus ministry has been through a COVID year. In this post, I asked some people to share their thoughts and reflect on how campus ministry has taught them about God. You will hear from Logan (student from Collin), Ashley and Adam (friends and former coworkers of FOCUS), and Barry Bradley (my uncle and former pastor of Orange Baptist church). College ministry is prominent where students' lives are being shaped and impacted to lead a new legacy deeply rooted in Jesus Christ. Please take the time and read their testimony and what God has taught them.
"Campus ministry has really impacted my faith and relationships. I came into college not really sure what to expect, but when I joined FOCUS, I suddenly learned what it meant to love Jesus and love others. With the help of other students and staff, I developed real relationships and got the opportunity to grow in my knowledge and love of Jesus."
- Logan Simon (Student leader at Collin FOCUS)
"God had taught me what it means to be a son of God. Yes, I’ve been adopted into sonship, but that doesn’t mean there should be a detachment of being adopted vs a biological child. A good father loves his children no matter what, and I get the privilege of being in that family in which he loves. God has shown me the freedom I have in Christ to act boldly and speak truth and not just biblical truth but my own thoughts I need to confess. I’ve found true freedom in letting my thoughts, mostly the negative ones, into the light and being renewed. To be known by people can be difficult for me in that I’ve not been used to being seen by others growing up and have usually kept things to myself. There are so many things that I will take away from this year, but the greatest is this, that through my weakness can Christ be glorified."- Adam Chaibainou (Former FOCUS apprentice at Collin College)
“Campus ministry completely changed my life. I knew God and loved him but being in campus ministry not only changed the trajectory of my spiritual life but of my work ethic, my ability to have deep friendships, the way I spend my money, and so much more. Being in campus ministry kind of grew me up. I truly believe focus has payed the groundwork for the rest of my life as a disciple. I couldn’t be more thankful that God had me in focus.” - Ashley Obregon (Former FOCUS staff at UTD & Richland College)
"The critical question that Pilate asked of Jesus at His trial was, 'What is Truth?' (John 18:38). Moreso than in any other context, college students are wanting to know the truth. That was true 50 years ago during my college days, and it is still true today. Back then, there was a general acceptance of absolute truth—a universal standard of measure. The debate was whether truth was of a particular realm—scientific, religious, philosophical, etc.
Atheistic professors relished in putting young Christian students on the defensive in class as they brought up ancient writings, archeological evidence, and scientific suppositions that seemed to undermine faith. Christians were forced to remain silent and check their Christian beliefs at the classroom door, or to risk being publicly humiliated by an academic. When I began to read more than just my Sunday School lesson, I realized that what I believe is academically, historically, and philosophically accurate. *
Today, the thought of an absolute truth is foreign to most college students. It is now 'my' truth, or what I believe to be true is really true; and you just need to accept it. It doesn’t require any evidence other than 'it is what I think.' But there is a loneliness when we measure all things by what I think about them. Students often live lives of continual struggle, and catastrophic failure when they face real-life issues or opposing viewpoints, because, they don’t know the truth.
What I discovered during my college days was that Biblical Truth is not only absolute truth, but it is eternal truth. While at Tech, my academic focus was both history and philosophy. I discovered that Christian truth can stand toe-to-toe intellectually with any other academic or philosophical belief system. What I learned was that, Christian students don’t need to be always pushed into a defensive position to discuss our faith. Some of the most brilliant minds of human history have had their truth anchored in the Bible. Even more than anchored in the Bible, Truth is a Person, Jesus Christ. And when you know Jesus, 'the Truth will set you free.'"
- Barry Bradley
Through the month of May
Our end-of-the-year party for Collin FOCUS was at a neighborhood community pool in Richardson. We served them hot dogs and hamburgers, played yard games, and worship together. What a great way to end the year, especially with nice weather!!
Our ministry team wrote encouragement cards to students on finals week to wish them luck and encourage them to do well and not stress. I received a lot of gratitude from the students and expressed how much they needed this.
Paul Austin from Chi Alpha ministries came and spoke to our whole staff team for two days with teachings and advice on what pioneering a new campus will look like. Very grateful for this man's wisdom and his work for the kingdom.
Last CORE meeting for Collin Central Park Campus.
Seven of our staff members (from left to right) are stepping out of campus ministry and pursuing other careers. Even though this was a bittersweet moment to see them leave, but their call to build disciples will never stop. Pray for them as they transition.
Jacob, Bridgett, Kristen, Hannah, Erin, Ashley, and Adam.
Thank you for your support!
I will like to say thank you to my ministry partners who continue to support me and God's mission to making and maturing disciples on college campuses. You will receive a thank you card from me, and I look forward to catching up with you over the summer! Your partnership means so much to me!
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