August 2023 - New Beginnings!

Hello friends and family!

First of all, I wanted to express the deepest THANK YOU for your support as I am entering into so many new beginnings. I certainly could not be here as a pastoral apprentice with FOCUS ("Fellowship of Christian University Students") without your prayers, encouragement, and financial partnership.

The past month has been full of new beginnings. In July, Kazayet and I got married! We loved celebrating with friends and family from all over the States and from Nigeria. The day represented our relationship as a whole - the coming together of two cultures, only possible by the sustaining love and power of God. 

August marked the official start of the pastoral apprenticeship with FOCUS! Since I was part of this ministry throughout all four years of college, it has been incredibly special to get to see the "behind the scenes" as a new staff member. The entire FOCUS staff went on a staff retreat to recenter on our mission (building and maturing disciples on the college campus) and to intentionally connect with God and one another before the busyness of the school year starts.

During this apprenticeship, I will be taking a number of classes for spiritual equiping. Currently, we are in an Old Testament class. My love for God is deepening as I understand how faithful and patient He was with His people, despite their neglect and disregard of Him. What hope this gives me for our world today! 

Next week (August 21-25) is the first week of classes at the campus I'll be on - Dallas College, Richland Campus. Please be praying for us as we go onto the campus to meet students, host community events, and invite students into campus ministry.

Thank you guys for reading! More updates to come :)

Veronica Zachariah

Wedding Photos - Kazayet and I celebrated through both Nigerian and church ceremonies. What a special day!

All of the apprentices reading for our Old Testament class!

Our Richland Staff Team, minus Sirak who is on paternity leave
Sandra (left), me (center) and Joey (right)

Our apprentice class at the licensing ceremony

The entire FOCUS staff at our Staff Retreat!
There are 50 of us ministers (10 of which are apprentices like me!) spread across 13 college campuses in the DFW area.

Another Staff Retreat photo, this one just the apprentices!

This is Sandra! She is going into her 8th year working at Dallas College (Richland Campus) as a campus minister.
She is my supervisor and mentor this year!