June: Praying and Planning

Summer is full of planning for the upcoming year! Corefas, welcome week events, prep days, sermons, cores - this is prime time for us to take stock and keep the larger mission on campus in mind. To that end, we have staff planning days where our team gets together to talk about so many things. We're in the thick of talking to students about what they think God is calling them to focus on this next year. Is it leading a small group? Spearheading outreach efforts? Planning community-building events? We want to help each student find ways to serve God while they're in school so it becomes a normal part of their lives when they move on.

This is also the time we as a staff really sit with God and see what direction he wants to send us in. It's so easy to get into the school year and just do what we've always done as things get busy. We try to use the summer to have a lot of larger conversations: Where does God seem to be leading our community? What do these students tell us they need versus what do they actually need? What gaps do they have in how they understand and relate to God? What do they not connect with in Scripture? 

I love this team and feel so blessed to work with such talented, thoughtful, funny people. They have such a deep love for people and work so hard to show these students the full life Jesus wants to bring them. 

The other big thing we do over the summer is Summer FOCUS! All of the students from all the campuses who stay in town over the summer get together for one big Thursday Night Fellowship. It's such a sweet way to build cross-campus connections and help people catch the larger vision of what God is doing across the metroplex!

We also had an old friend visit Summer FOCUS! Addison (in the pink shirt and jeans) was in my core with these other girls (Abby and Madison) in 2022. She lives in Austin now and is attending a start up church. She remembers our lil community so warmly that she roadtripped with a friend to show them a glimpse of vibrant, warm community (her words) since they are new to following Jesus. I loved getting to catch up with her! I was so encouraged that her semester in core made such an impact and is even shaping how she wants to build up her church years later.

Obligatory Owen pic! We've enjoyed lots of time around water and eating ice cream so far this summer.

Please be praying for our staff as we have these conversations and seek to lead Denton FOCUS where the Lord wants us to. And, personally, please be praying for my little family this summer. We've got a lot of big changes with the new baby boy coming in September and Owen starting a new preschool a couple weeks before then. Fall will be busy but we can see God making a way as only he can!

Fundraising Update: I'm at 83% of my goal! I'm looking to raise another $500-700/mo. Please keep praying for opportunities to build connections with people and invite them to partner with me in this really incredible mission.

I'm so incredibly grateful for each of you!