March Ministry Update

 


Happy Spring!!

    The weather has been crazy here in Texas! From freezing weather to windy days to beautiful sunny days. I think spring is my favorite season. Well besides the allergies. I hope all has been well with you and your loved ones. I have some exciting news to share at the end but I'll first give you an update of this past month!

As always, feel free to share your prayer requests or ask any questions you might have. Thank you for partnering with me in campus ministry! It has been such a blessing to have you on my team.

SICM (Student Institute of Campus Ministry)

    I have talked about SICM a few times in my past blogs, but this trip is such an important part of our ministry! It's where we send our potential student leaders for the next school year. At SICM students will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and learn campus ministry from some of the most experienced campus pastors in the country.  In just one week, they will gain personal and practical growth in small group leadership, evangelism, prayer, worship, Bible study, and a whole lot more. 

    After SICM, students will return to their college or university with a deeper understanding of God's purpose in their life and the lives of those around them. Plus, they'll take back some great tools and ministry skills to help realize that purpose. The SICM program is hosted and presented by Campus Christian Fellowship (CCF) at Western Washington University from May 12th to May 21st.

    At the end of last year and the beginning of this year, the Richland staff team was having conversations on who to invite to this summer's SICM. We decided on 7 male students and 1 female student. All of the male students are from Richland, and the one female student is from my core. I am so excited for these students to experience SICM and catch the vision for campus ministry! 

    Please be praying for our 8 students! We are working with them on fundraising for the trip, which this year is almost $900. If you are interested in giving or would like to learn more about SICM, you can head here: FOCUS SICM 2022

Showcase 2022!


    On the last Saturday (26th) of February, we put on a big production as a way to do an organization-wide fundraiser for all of the students we are sending to SICM. It was a bit hit and a great turnout! I highly recommend watching the recording of it! Not only will you get to see amazing talent from the FOCUS community but you will also get to hear interviews from FOCUS alumni that have gone to SICM.

    You can find it here: FOCUS Showcase 2022 On that page, you will also find a way to donate to help send students to SICM, if you so wish.

Continuing Ministry

    Since December, my supervisor, Sandra, and I have been having conversations on if I would want to stay on staff or transition off. These conversations were just to get me thinking about why I would stay or leave. As I thought through it during winter break I came to the conclusion that I would like to stay on! At first, I was willing to commit for a year. Then I talked to other fellow apprentices and thought more which then lead me to be willing to commit for 3-5 years. 

    In mid-February, Sirak, our Dallas FOCUS director, Sandra, and I sat down to start talking more concretely about why I would want to stay on and for how many years they are willing to offer. It was a great conversation! We vision-casted together on how the next years would look and ways they can utilize my different skills. Last week, they came back with an offer of 3 years at the Richland campus! Spoiler: I accepted! I am so excited to continue the mission and relationships I have made at Richland this school year. 

    I appreciate your support and partnership this past year. I couldn’t have done this without you! I look forward to reaching out over the next few months to see whether you would be interested in continuing to be on my support team for Richland campus. 

    Please continue to be praying for the Richland ministry as we finish off this school year and prepare for next.  


In Christ,
Claire Umstead



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