So It Begins...

Staff Picture on the Ferry!
Left to Right: Katelyn (Collin), Travis (UTA), 
Peter (me, UTD)

In The Beginning

     The internship has begun, and I'm so excited! Many of you know, but I've been preparing for this experience for this entire past year. In the Spring of 2014, our ministry director Brandon asked me to pray and think about the possibility of being a full-time minister. It definitely threw a wrench into my plans to be a big-time lawyer. However, after much thought and a summer internship I fell in love with the idea. So, this is the year to see where God wants me to go. While I would love to continue doing this, I know God doesn't always call us to do what we enjoy. But I'm going to enjoy it for as long as it lasts!

Dallas Corefa Prep Day!

Leader Preparation

"And let us consider how to spur one another on toward love and good deeds," Hebrews 10:24 (NIV)

     Since the start of the internship it's been a crazy and hectic ride. We've already gone through a full day of internship orientation, four days of staff retreat, and now two days of Core Facilitator (corefa) prep. "Corefa" is our rough equivalent of a small group leader and "core" is our rough equivalent to a small group. I say rough because there are so many different things people think of when they hear those words. Core is where our students meet in single-gender groups and talk about life, study the Bible, and develop deep relationships. That's why we call it "core" because it is the core of our ministry. At corefa prep, our new team of leaders got a crash course on the basics of inviting to and leading core. College is such a great place to do ministry, but it's also difficult because the turnover rate is so high. Every year people graduate, and every year we have to find new people to take their spots. But it's so encouraging to see new faces who are set on being disciples and ministers of Christ. 

Welcome Week!

"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously" 2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV)

     A big emphasis at our corefa prep is the importance of outreach during the first few weeks of school, commonly called "Welcome Week". It's during this period that most students are open and willing to meet new people and make new friends. We have a saying based on the verse above, "A disciple too lazy to plant in the fall has nothing to harvest in the spring." So, we spur on our leaders to push themselves to go out to every event they can and to rest later, because this is the time to sow the seeds.

UTD Staff!
Back Row L to R: Sirak, Victoria, Nicki, Danni, Brandon
Front Row L to R: Mandy, Carmen, Laurence, Peter (me)

Thank You!

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21 (NIV)

Finally, a big shout-out to all my supporters, in prayer and through finances, you all have already been an enormous help. Getting to reconnect with many of you has been the highlight of my summer, and having others share this vision for ministry even when thousands of miles away is so encouraging. I've learned many of your stories, but I'd love to hear all of them. Hopefully, in these next few months I will be able to. If you have any prayer needs, or just want to talk to someone about something, always feel free to contact me. But again, thank you all so much for believing in me, in this mission, and in a God who has the power to transform lives.

Prayer List

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24 (NIV)

Please pray for :

-Planning and executing welcome week events on campus.
-Energy for all our leaders to meet people in this integral time!
-My wisdom teeth removal tomorrow and swift recovery afterwards.

In Christ,

Peter