Wold Changer
Jermal - Rockhurst University

Rockhurst in Person

After a semester of remote learning, Rockhurst informed us that we would be opening up again and returning to campus in January. A lot of thoughts went through my head. I worried about how God would make a way for us to still share the gospel with students despite still being in a global pandemic.

Our leadership team met the first few weeks of classes to brainstorm about our first semester in person since the pandemic. As we prayed about the spring semester, our team noticed that people seemed lonely and so we decided to make our bible studies longer. We wanted to increase the focus on community and fellowship and it worked! At each study,we would give everyone a chance to share any “God” moments we had lately, then play cool games and then study scripture. It was a huge success.

Because of COVID restrictions, we were unable to do any campus wide events. This was heartbreaking. As the semester progressed and the weather improved, we longed to do something for the entire campus. After much prayer and conversations with Campus Ministry (Rockhurst Ministry Department who we partner with on campus) we were able to schedule a worship night outside on the quad. After one reschedule due to weather, we gathered for worship together on a cool Tuesday evening at the en

What I Learned

The first important lesson learned is how God works in his own timing. When the event was moved, we were initially sad but we decided to not lose heart and trusted in God that it’ll work out. The event was held outside the party barn, an area full of open space and green grass. It was my favorite event because I love worshiping God and sharing worship with the campus. It was cool how after each song that we sang, some instrumental music was played that matched it perfectly. As we worshiped together, my heart filled with God’s peace, joy and love. I felt that we were bringing honor and glory to his God’s kingdom at Rockhurst. Psalm 30:4 (NIV) “Sing praise to the Lord, you His godly ones, And praise the mention of His holiness.”

Greetings and Thank You  -  Dave Fick

The time has come! I can almost hear the academic world exhale after a long, hard run as students, teachers, adjuncts, faculty, kids and parents walk out of school for the last time this year. Reuben and Ozzy (and Jess and I) have never been so relieved and excited to be done. There is no way around it, this year has been hard. I am tired out and so are many of you.

So… join me and take a breath. Pray and put all the stuff in Jesus' hands. Take a nap. Take an hour or a day to reflect. Pray and ask Jesus to fill you. Read scripture. Listen Go for a walk or a run or a bike ride. Jump in the pool. Rest and be filled.

I hope you enjoyed Jermal’s words. Having walked with him the last four years since he prayed to accept Christ his freshmen year, has been an amazing blessing. I was struck by his maturity and deep understanding of God’s word as we met to celebrate his graduation. His story, in the midst of everything else, reminds me why what we (my staff team and I) do is so important. I am so excited to welcome him to our team as a volunteer.

This semester has been zoom-centric, isolating, and also somehow busier than it has any right to be. I imagine many of you can relate. I am reminded often that I am still a relatively new Area Ministry Director (and have had a strange pandemic on-ramp) as there are new tasks every season for me to learn. This Spring, I worked through budgets for my team members and our area, went through the hiring process with three people, and helped two staff transition from their internships to volunteers. Goodbyes are hard and sad. I will miss having Sammie and Chase on our team every week. They are both skilled staff and it has been a pleasure to coach them and watch them develop as staff and men of God.

This semester has been full of disappointment, innovation, discovery, success and failure and all the emotions that come with it. I spend most of my time caring for my staff team, student leaders and volunteers - doing my best to shepherd them through this season, grieving what has been lost, celebrating what has been good and encouraging them to look to Jesus in all of it.

It’s been amazing to see what God has done through the student leaders at KCAI and Rockhurst. Carson at Longview community college and Kevin at Park, volunteers who have faithfully encouraged and led their students. It has also been heartbreaking to see groups dissolve - staff sitting for hours in empty zoom rooms weekly hoping the students who came so faithfully in person would show up. I walked Haskell's closed campus praying and interceding with Chase and our volunteer Donald. Also I had the pleasure of meeting monthly with three different faculty and started my first faculty bible study. Some days I have wondered if I am cut out for this. My wife and staff and supervisors encourage me that I am. This season, my team and I have planted and tilled much and I am ready for two things -- first some rest, and second, to see what grows next semester.

Thank you for your partnership, walking through this crazy school year with us as I have walked through it with students, faculty, and my staff team. Your investment in God’s work on campuses across Kansas & NW Missouri and your care for our family mean so much. Thank you so very much from our family to each of you.

Our Family

The past year and a half has been… well you know. Despite a pandemic, life has been full of many many transitions. New jobs, new schools, new church and new neighbors. We are always adjusting to a new change to our daily lives, some challenging and many of them exciting.

Reuben (newly 14) has surpassed me in height by coming in at 5’11.” He finished middle school this spring. He did a hybrid of homeschool, and online school. Thanks to his uncle and grandpa for teaching weekly. Over the pandemic, his friendships have grown deeper and his friend group has grown quite close messaging each other often. He loves playing trombone (2 hours daily at virtual band and Jazz Band!, drawing, making movies and dreaming up and running role playing games for his friends.

Ozzy (9) In many ways, this year has been the hardest on Ozzy. His special needs have not jived well with the constantly changing modes of school and life. He has been in person for 4th grade since October. His class struggled and he dealt with bullying almost daily. It was rough. We struggled a lot to know best how to care for him. Through it all he persisted, learned and grew. His teacher was amazing and frequently told us how emotionally aware and empathetic he is.

After a long hiatus, he was able to return to American Ninja Warrior training every week at our local climbing gym, sadly his favorite coach finished her schooling and stopped coaching. With all the change, he (and we) decided to take a break. All that to say, we are all relieved and excited for summer, and a better year in the fall. Ozzy is full of energy, loves building in minecraft, playing with his friends in our neighborhood and swimming two times a day at least (even when it was 55 out)

Jess has had quite a year. When she was laid off in Feb, we began a season of prayerful resting, healing, and discernment. In March, the pandemic changed everything, all the leads and hiring processes that had been in motion ceased. After severance and unemployment ended, and no jobs (ministry or otherwise) were available, Jess began working at REI selling boots (which was a welcome change). Shortly after that our church extended her an offer for a small part time job as an engagement director doing social media. She started in Feb! Woohoo! In the meantime, and through much prayer asking “What next God?,” God opened the door to train to become a real estate appraiser with our neighbor. Jess has completed her first round of coursework and is currently training as an apprentice appraiser with our neighbor Olivia. The Lord lays the best plans and Olivia is not a Jesus follower. Jess has loved getting to share her faith daily as they drive around the KC metro and see God moving in Olivia’s life. Pray for her and for us. If you have been counting, that’s three jobs in the past 5 months- which has been difficult!

Thanks so much for your faithful partnership and prayers. Because of you students are meeting Jesus and sharing him on campus. May God's grace and peace rest upon each of you.

Almost!

As this ministry year has come to a close, I am looking toward next year with great excitement. If you enjoy giving financially, you can! Simply scan the QR code below with the camera on your phone 

OR

go to https://donate.intervarsity.org/donate#3584 

Praise God, we raised $19,000 of the $25,000 needed to cover our health insurance after Jess was laid off last spring. We are grateful for your support!)

I am hoping to raise the last $6,000 of annual support to cover our remaining health insurance costs.  Would you prayerfully consider increasing your monthly gift by $25-$50 or giving a special gift of $200, $500 or $1000 this summer?

I am so thankful for all of you. I hope to connect soon and pray for you this summer (shoot me a text with your prayer requests! 616-706-5670) Thank you & bless you as the summer begins!