Mid-Semester Ministry

Mid-Semester Ministry

We've reached the mid-semester mark and for most of our students, mid-semester means mid-terms and papers. In terms of ministry, this is when things often start to shift. Friendships have been forming for several months now, one-on-ones have started and we are starting to see some real fruit at SMU. Our Core has become one of the highlights of my weeks because we've created a culture of FUN! Our Core starts at 7:30pm, but many of our students and leaders come early to study and work on stuff together. Often, the room is as full of laughter, jokes, and food as actual productivity. Our students are more eager to hang out after Core too!

Every week in Core, we discuss different topics such as friendship, community, and identity. We read bible verses, share our thoughts and ask ourselves what God thinks of these topics. I think the students who attend have felt comfortable being honest and vulnerable! Please be praying that they would continue in vulnerability, as well as a desire to know God's heart about these topics.

I'm not quite to the mid-way mark in my one-on-one bible studies, but I'm so thankful for how God is building those friendships and allowing it to be safe place to talk about our struggles and questions while we grow in our relationship with God and knowledge of the scriptures. Please continue to pray for those studies!

Student Testimony

Joshua Erdmann

Richland College

Mechanical Engineering

Sophomore

"In high school, I was the type of person that went out of my way to avoid people that I considered to be different than me. I was always looking for people that either talked the way I did or took part in the same things I liked. This led to superficial relationships and friendships. When I joined FOCUS, I really think God taught me that meeting people who were different than me - in every way - was a good thing. Through FOCUS, I have come to realize what it's like to have real relationships with people. In real relationships, you can talk to your friends about how you feel that day and not have to hide anything. When I first walked on campus at Richland, I was unsure about who I was or where I belonged. I thank God that I found a group that I feel like I actually belong to. Through FOCUS, God has been showing me that I belong wherever He has called me, and that it’s up to me to show others that they belong, too."

Thank you so much for joining in my ministry! I am so thankful for the prayers for SMU and what God is doing there!