Another month has come and gone in a flash.
Work with the Lake Merced Church in San Francisco continues to move forward. When I first arrived here in January we were lucky if Sunday morning attendance reached the mid-thirties, and several times there were less than that. Since moving into our new fellowship hall, attendance is hovering around 60, and 80 attended services at the end of October when we held our Fall Festival.
We’re all very happy with this and anticipate the growth to continue.
As I mentioned here and here, Airiel and I have had a difficult time getting into classes at San Francisco State University for a while now. Neither of us will be eligible to take classes there in Fall 2010 like we’d hoped. It turns out that SFSU is not accepting applications from anyone interested in a second baccalaureate degree, and is also not accepting applications from any transfer students who have less than 60 credit hours on their transcript.
That means I can’t get in to their undergraduate program (because I already have a degree), and Airiel can’t get in (because she has less than 60 credit hours on her transcript).
The only way Airiel will be able to get on SFSU’s campus is to take a few more courses at City College of San Francisco – a local community college with tens of thousands of students enrolled. She put in her application yesterday, and is planning to begin taking courses in January.

The only way I’ll be able to get on SFSU’s campus is to enroll in one of their graduate programs – something I really hadn’t planned on doing in coming out here, but that’s my only option. After reviewing all the programs and spending plenty of time in prayer, I narrowed down my choice to three programs: 1) Radio & Television, 2) Philosophy, and 3) Cinema.
I did a bit more research only to learn that the Radio/TV and Philosophy programs have been suspended because of the California state budget cuts. I’m not positive, but I think the professors in charge of those programs may have lost their jobs.
With entering those two programs outside of the realm of possibility, a graduate degree in Cinema is the only other option on the table. If I’m going to get on campus at SFSU, I’m going to have to enroll in that program. In order to do so I have to take several courses at the community college in cinema in addition to quite a bit more work in putting an application package together.
From SFSU’s catalog:
“Prior to admission, all candidates must have completed two courses in cinema studies beyond the introductory level. One of these courses must be in film theory, stressing critical approach or methodology; the other must be in cinema history. One introductory course in 16mm film production and a basic course in Final Cut Pro digital editing, or equivalent experience is required.”
Of course, I’ll have to take a few introductory courses before I can take any “beyond the introductory level.” Sounds like fun.
From what I hear, the cinema program at SFSU is the school’s bread and butter, and is fairly difficult to get in to. We’ll see what happens. Whether I’m accepted or not, I’ll be meeting students who need Jesus in the classes I have to take at City College, and am confident God will open doors for me to plant seeds of faith in those around me. 
What say you - can someone in film school find a way to bring glory to Jesus through that endeavor? I certainly think so, and have all sorts of ideas floating around in my head. This is going to be fun …
The little army of people making up our college group here is awesome! They’re the ones that really influenced me to pursue film. One of our college group regulars is actually a film professional already, and is very passionate about sharing Jesus using that medium.
The past two Sundays our group has had exciting meetings as it pertains to reaching out to our community. I’m very encouraged to see them so excited and passionate about reaching out – it lights a fire in me. I’ll give you a glimpse into our brainstorming sessions in a future post. Either you’ll think we’re crazy or very creative (or both). Regardless, I believe Jesus is going to do awesome things with this church and this college group. I’m very, very excited about the future, and I hope you are too!
I have so much more to share, but this post is long enough.
Naomi and Conrad are great! They decorated my couch with a permanent marker the other day.
Thanks for reading, praying for us, and supporting us in this work!
We love you!
Wes, Airiel, Conrad, & Naomi Woodell