Focus Forum • 8/14/12

August 14, 2012
Volume 2.6
www.singlefocusindy.org

Hey guys!

A whole lot is going on right now, not just in Single Focus, but in all of your lives, too.  Since the spring, we've watched the Lord move many of our friends away from Indy, and in the next few weeks, many of you will head back to your colleges and universities.  It's tough to say good-bye, and Dawn and I have already resigned ourselves to this unavoidable aspect of singles ministry.  We're thankful that as you go, we can "commend you to God and to the Word of His grace" (Acts 20:32).

In the meantime, there is still a lot going on in Single Focus!  So, let me keep you updated on the highlights.

What's Happening with Single Focus?
(BTW, if you miss some information somewhere, Facebook, Twitter, or our website should have it.  You can also stay up-to-date with what's going on by subscribing to the Single Focus calendar.  Girls, you can even follow us on Pinterest!  Please, guys, no comments about Pastor Keith being on Pinterest.) :)

• Cross Impact IUPUI – We're excited about how God has orchestrated everything in preparation for the launch of this ministry this fall.  Our promotional materials have been printed, our beginning core group is solidified, our website has been designed, and our tentative launch date is around Thursday, September 6.  Please pray that God would grant swiftness to our official status as a Registered Student Organization (our application has been submitted, and we're waiting for approval).  Once that happens, we hope to participate on the Move Crew this Saturday (8:30-1:30 or 12:30-5:30) and in the IUPUI Involvement Expo on Tuesday (10:00-2:00) in order to promote our ministry.  Also, we plan to combine Cross Impact and Single Focus activities this fall in order to deepen our connections and more fully integrate students into our church.

• Harvest Rally Service Project – We've added an additional service project to our schedule this fall.  On September 8, we'd like to take a group of 8-12 volunteers who could help at the Indiana Harvest Rally. This event's director is Brent Olsen, whose tents/games we use for our Jamboree. He's a great guy with a great ministry, and we want to be a help to him, even as he's been a help to us (cf. Colossians 4:13)!  I know this project is a large time commitment – it will take your entire Saturday – but if you can arrange your schedule to help out, it will be a tremendous encouragement to Brent and another opportunity to serve Christ.  Please check your calendars and then, if possible, sign-up for this ministry here.  Also, don't feel guilty if you don't think you can help out – I know you guys are busy, and it's a privilege to be a co-laborer with you throughout the year.

• Focus Groups – If you are going to be in town throughout the school year, let me really encourage you to prayerfully consider joining yourself to a small group.  Without transparent, personal, and purposeful relationships, discipleship will really stagnate.  Our goal is to discover within these Focus Groups a powerful forum for personal growth and outreach.  These groups meet only every other week for about an hour, so the commitment is limited, but the potential for spiritual benefit is unlimited.  Our website states, "Essentially, a Focus Group is a small community group of believers that is committed to intentional discipleship and biblical relationships that draw each other closer to Christ."  If you'd like to participate but haven't been contacted, sign up here.

• Sunday AM Bible Study & Midweek Connection – I'd also encourage you, if you're in the area this fall, to really plug in to these Bible study opportunities.  Our Sunday AM Bible Study is a much more in-depth study of a Biblical book – 2 Peter this fall.  Our Midweek Connection is a refreshing time of fellowship, worship, and practical Bible study – an apologetic and worldview study, currently, called Demolishing Strongholds.  If you live closer to IUPUI throughout the fall, our weekly Cross Impact Bible study on campus will be a convenient substitute for you in place of the Midweek Connection.

• College Visits – Dawn and I have had to shift our focus this semester.  Instead of going north, as we had originally intended, we're going to be heading south this semester.  (Sorry, NUI and MBBC students!)  We are tentatively planning on treating our BJU students to dinner on Friday night, October 19.  If any of you are hoping to hit the soccer games that evening, we'll be sure to eat early enough and then perhaps enjoy the games as a group.

• A Colossians 1:28-29 "Pep Talk" – Last year, we were challenged by these verses to accept our calling in life, which is to help "present every person perfect in Christ Jesus."  Let us not be weary in well doing...rest is promised to us and it is coming!  At the very least, begin the process by warmly greeting those who join us every Sunday, Wednesday, etc.  Let us be diligent to show the warmth of Christ by getting to know people and overwhelming them with acceptance.  This should apply to our brothers and sisters, because they are, after all, family, and we are not allowed within His body to be dysfunctional; and this should apply to guests, those who need to sense the sweet-smelling fragrance of Christ from us (2 Corinthians 2:14-17).

• Ministry Opportunity at Colonial – To be blunt, our church lobby gives our church a fairly old look on Sunday mornings! :)  We want to more accurately demonstrate the dynamics of our church family by adding some youthful greeters to our doors on Sunday mornings.  I had the privilege of being a greeter at my church from 9th grade throughout high school – this opportunity had many benefits for me: (1) it cultivated within me an ownership of my church; (2) it forced me to be conscientious of guests week by week; (3) it gave me a weekly avenue of representation for Christ; and (4) it provided me with the joy of folks throughout the years reminding me that I was the first person they ever met when they started to come to our church!  If you would like a similar opportunity, please contact me.

What's So Funny?
And, just in case you haven't heard it yet, I give you the famous Chick-Fil-A song.

Warmly in Christ,
Keith

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