October 2025

 Howdy everyone! I'm excited to update you from the last month. To start off, here's our student testimony from Sarai at UTA. Please read her story. 




Fall Retreat:
The big news is that we had our largest ever turnout for Fall Retreat. We were so surprised! The students got to learn from each other about how Jesus is transforming them, they played lots of games, they got to learn from Ronnie Worsham, an experienced minister for over 50 years. We are so excited to see the fruit of this year's fall retreat. 

Here are some pictures from the last month below:


Another one of our students, Alex, got baptized! He gave his testimony during church which was outside that morning and then we got to see him get baptized by Jaxon. So neat! 

This is Heidy on the bottom and Kenedy on top. They co-lead at TWU! They've done a great job being faithful with their girls, they care deeply, pray for them, study scripture with them, and look after them. I love getting to meet with them every week!

This is Joleigh - a girl from my core from last year! She is giving the talk on generosity at our Fellowship night. She was sharing about all the ways she has been blessed financially by FOCUS since being here. She has a big heart and loves people well.


This is Cathryn. Grant dumped our towel laundry on her while she was reading the bible. She is my coworker and friend! 

Here's a partial pic of the Camp Cup squad from Fall Retreat. We were hanging bags from trees that were part of a relay. Inside the bag were a set of letters that spelled out "Melchizedek" that they had to unscramble once they were back with their team. We had some FOCUS alumni come help out too. It was a sweet time. 

The Pink team from retreat! They were working on un-knotting ropes so they could move onto the next challenge. 


Worship night! We had a gospel choir for Saturday night at retreat and it was beautiful! A slice of a heavenly choir. 


Alex dressed as a troll for our night time scavenger hunt. The students had to solve a riddle when they found him. This is what he looked like. 


Our staff after cleaning up on Sunday. We were tired but in the right ways. After, we went to canes to celebrate a job well done! 


We are getting too big for the photo!! I'm so grateful to God for this group right here. 


Thank y'all for loving these students! 


Shayla 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

June 2020 update

Image
Happy summer! Man did it get HOT all of sudden. I honestly don't mind the scorching heat, I would pick that over the cold dead of winter any time. I'm excited to update y'all, it's been a while. I want to start off with our May and June student testimonies. The May student testimony is actually really sweet to me for a couple of reasons. Markia is the younger sister of my friend Cierra. I met Cierra in FOCUS in 2013 when we were both students at UNT. When I found out Markia was going to TWU, I knew I wanted to study the bible with her and befriend her. She has been a consistent blessing to me and the people around her at TWU! When Markia and I were studying the bible together, I remembered the summer of 2015 I volunteered with our church family's Teen Camp. I remembered that Markia and I actually did a walk and talk and prayed for each other at that time about friendships and the future. When we both remembered, we were both like "Whoah!". How cool is ...
Read more

I lean not on my own understanding

Image
Cowabunga! This is my first blog post as an Apprentice for FOCUS! First, I want to say a BIG Thank You to my prayer and financial support team. I am able to pursue this coming year of mission because of your belief in college ministry. I am 76% fundraised, which is bonkers to me (in a good way). Seriously, the process of fundraising has brought an unfamiliar depth to my relationship with God. The process of fundraising is exciting, exhausting, and revealing. Fundraising has revealed different ways I struggle in trusting God, yet, He has been faithful and provided the means for me to be able to do ministry. I still have 24% ! If you know anyone who would be interested in hearing about my mission, please send me their number! I would love to talk with them. Thank y'all x1000. I wish I could hug all of you at this very moment, however, an e-hug will have to suffice *hug*. If you haven't set up your online giving yet, now is the time to do so! Follow this Donation link!...
Read more

September 2024 update

Image
Baptisms and Book Recs Hey y'all! Some great news over here. Since August, we've had 8 baptisms in Denton FOCUS. Most recently were 5 girls. Grace (UNT), Diana (UNT), MJ (TWU), Chris (TWU), and Nia (TWU)!  Chris, MJ, and Nia's Baptism! A TWU baptism for the ages! Josh and Emiliee Robinson of Denton North Church let us use their pool. Josh was in FOCUS with Ryan and I when we were in college! Diana's baptism. I got to study foj with Diana 2 years ago and her corefas Mackenzie and Mikayla from that year got to baptize her. What a sweet moment. Mackenzie is now on staff at Collin, and Mikayla is back in Houston :'( Grace's baptism. I had the honor of getting to baptize her. We were co-fas last year and I loved leading core with her. A very special moment, her friends and family together to celebrate! Sean and Vianet (also friends of Ryan and I's from college), have let us baptize countless people over the years. What a blessing they are! These baptisms are good...
Read more