Shayla's Ministry Blog

Howdy!  I'm excited to share about the last month of ministry through photos! I recently returned from our annual trip to Washington state. We took 145 students from DFW to SICM where they learned together how to be intentional disciples of Jesus.  First up is a really touching student testimony. One of the reasons I love campus ministry is that we get to meet people from all over the world! Please read Freddie's story. She is from the Netherlands and God ministered to her through FOCUS at Collin College (go cougs).  Snapshot from our end of year party for Denton FOCUS. People were reading lyrics to worship songs off their phones. You can see Bryan Pham holding his phone up with the lyrics for others to read. He's one of our transfers from Richland and has such a sweet presence.  This is Samantha and I's core (small group) that we led this past year. Kenzie (to my right), Joleigh (in the middle), and Layla (purple shirt) all came with me to SICM this year. Please be ...

Howdy! I can't wait to share this month's update with you. First, our student testimony. Please take a moment to read how God has been working in Juan's life. Campus Renewal / Revival?  Something unique happened somewhat recently on UNT's campus. One of our student leaders sensed a call to plan an inter-denominational campus worship night. He invited other campus ministries to take part. There was worship, public confession, prayer, moments of repentance, and it culminated into 12 people getting baptized in the fountain at UNT. There were hundreds of students gathered to gather on a beautiful night all in the name of Jesus. This is something that I myself has been praying for and many of you have been praying for, for years! I am in awe and so grateful for God loving these students in Denton. Please continue to pray for us, especially that all the christians in denton would steward this moment and the people well!  Students gathered to worship, pray, confess, and repent...

Howdy! It's been an interesting month. I'll update more below but first is our student testimony from Caitlynn at TWU right here in Denton! Reagann actually got to baptize her a while back. Take a moment to read her story.  March:  As I mentioned, this has been an interesting month. We had Spring Break, and then spent much of the month planning and preparing to host 17 students and 4 staff from a campus ministry in Washington state. Finally, we hosted, aided, and assisted them for a week! Our ministry has a wonderful partnership with CCF, or Campus Christian Fellowship, in Bellingham, WA. We attend SICM up there every year! And every year, they send a group to one of our FOCUS communities to do outreach for a week during their Spring Break! It was an intense labor of love and planning. As you can imagine, there are a lot of moving parts, requiring significant coordination and communication on our part. Our students even joined in, helping with everything from finding host fami...

Howdy, all! I'm excited to share some little updates from the last month of campus ministry. First is our student testimony. Please take a moment to read Laniah's story! Meeting one on one with one of our student leaders, Keelee! Please pray for Keelee as she will be graduating soon and transitioning into being a full time high school history teacher. She has been a big blessing to many. She's a kind and faithful friend. I will miss her.  Our students embracing each other while being prayed over. We haven't really sensed this warmth of community in many, many years. Our students earnestly love God and one another!  During our annual Gospel Worship Night, the fire alarm went off which sent a room of 250+ out into the frigid temps. Instead of waiting around, the students kept singing worship songs in public on campus. It was awesome! Samantha and I's core! We were having a galentines encouragement sesh before we read some scripture. A sweet girl in our core named Jole...

Howdy, all! I'm excited to share some updates with y'all, but please first read Michael's testimony. He's such a sweet UNT guy. God has done much in his life the last few years to shape him. Winter Retreat:  We just had our annual winter retreat and it was one for the books. We had 700+ people attend, worship sets went longer every single time because the students would start singing again, the teaching sessions were so good and helped our students mature, and I'm personally so thankful to God. We've had so much new growth that it feels so hard to keep up and chaotic at times, but it's clear that the Lord is doing something much bigger and he's graciously allowing us to be part of it.  One of my favorite things that happened from weekend was hearing hundreds of college students sing "I have decided... to follow Jesus..." With much dancing and praising and singing. Since we've been back we've had the highs and lows of ministry. Everythin...

Happy New Year, all! I'm excited to share snippets from the past holiday season. First, our student alumni testimony:  December was a good and chaotic month. There were many Christmas parties (students, staff, family), a stomach bug that took Grant and I out (and much of our denton staff) for several days, prayerful enrichment, and some much needed down time. Thank you each for following along, praying along, and giving along. Below are some snapshots:  This is a picture I took of my little brother, Damon, my SIL Mikayla, and my nephew/godson, Paxton! My mom got us all matching pajamas for Christmas eve. I would've included the group photo, but it didn't turn out very good. Each shirt implies that we each committed some type of Christmas crime and are being held in a correctional facility in the North Pole. I love my family.  Speaking of my SIL, she got baptized in early December. Her and Damon have been involved in maturing their faith and becoming leaders in the TRACK m...