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Singing is a powerful way to connect with God, with each other, and with our faith. Music has a way of touching our hearts, which assists in our expression and response to God. Singing also helps us remember truths about God. Many of the songs we sing in FOCUS are based on different passages and stories in Scripture. Having the opportunity to sing worship songs as a community is a unifying experience, reminding us that we are part of a larger community of faith.
As college students, we have the opportunity to grow to have a college-level faith. Because being a life-long learner includes learning from a diverse group of preachers who have studied Scripture on a deep level, FOCUS provides their students with preachers of different ages, backgrounds, and ethnicities. These pastors challenge students to think critically about Scripture and to apply it to their own lives. Good teachings can give students a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of who God is!
Not only do we think God speaks through our pastors, but we also believe that the Spirit can speak through all people in our community. 1 Peter 2:9 says that we are “a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special people, chosen to declare his praises.” This means that we are all called to share our stories of how God has worked in our lives.
Student testimonies can be a powerful way to encourage and inspire others. They can show us that we are not alone in our struggles and that God is always with us. They can also give us hope for the future. Student testimonies can also be a way to give glory to God and to thank Him for His work in our lives. This can serve as a reminder that God is still working and that He is worthy of our praises! If you are a student, we encourage you to share your testimony with others. It is a powerful way to encourage and inspire others, to build community, to share the gospel, and to give glory to God.
We do Scripture reading because it is a practice that has been done since the beginning of the church. The early Christians gathered together to read the Bible aloud, and this practice has continued ever since. Reading larger passages of Scripture also gives the community the opportunity to be given more context to the verses the speaker is preaching from.
We have You in Action to keep our community informed about what is happening in FOCUS and to encourage everyone to get involved. There is so much more to belonging to a community than just attending a service. We want YOU to feel like you are truly a part of our community! You in Action provides students with ways to get plugged in, serve, and build deeper connections with others in the ministry.
A benediction is a pastor’s blessing to the community as they scatter from the place of corporate worship. It is often a quote from Scripture or a reflection on the message shared by the preacher. Our pastors use the benediction to remind the community of God’s love and grace and our calling to be the hands and feet of Jesus on UTD’s campus.
Many aspects of our ministry are student led because we believe that each person in our community has a role to play. We are all called to be ministers, and we believe that students are just as called to leading and serving as pastors. We believe that a student-led ministry is a way to empower students to use their gifts and abilities to serve God and others. Romans 12:6 says “we each have different gifts, according to the grace given to us.” This means we all have different abilities and skills that we can use to serve God and others! If you are looking for a way to use your gifts and abilities to serve, let us know! We would love to help you get more involved.
Core is the name we have for the weekly small groups that are offered throughout the week. We have Core because it provides the students in our ministry with an opportunity to study God’s word with peers, build long-lasting friendships, ask questions about life and faith, and receive personalized care and mentorship. We encourage everyone in our community to join a Core! If you would like to join a core, visit utdfocus.org/getconnected for more information.
Focus on Jesus (FOJ) is a unique opportunity to study the Bible one on one with a leader in our ministry. In FOCUS, we want every person who is a part of our ministry to be given the opportunity to study FOJ with a friend. This study is for everyone! Whether you have been a Christian your whole life, or are looking to learn about Jesus for the first time, we encourage you to accept the invitation to study FOJ! Through FOJ, students get to learn about Jesus, examine their faith, build close friendships, and study the Bible.
