Elias Whaley

“Holiness consists simply of doing God’s will and being just what God wants us to be.”

-Saint Therese of Lisieux

Where I serve

Hello! My name is Elias. I am now serving my second year as a missionary at Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA. I serve alongside three other great missionaries. We are excited to reach the students on our campus and share God’s love and His church with them!

My Story

I was raised Catholic in Brookings, South Dakota. Growing up I was poorly catechized and didn’t have a solid example in my life of someone living out an authentic Catholic lifestyle. The faith began to fade in my mind the older I got and eventually I decided it wasn’t for me.

After high school I moved to Atlanta, Georgia to pursue an acting career. This dream fell apart due to strikes happening within the film Industry and I was forced to come back home.

I had built up acting as the god of my life. I thought it was the only thing that could bring me joy and fulfillment in life, and I had aimed all my efforts at it. When it came crashing down, I felt like my life had no purpose. It was around this time of searching for meaning that encountered the truth of Christianity and the Catholic church. After a while of intellectual conversion, I met Jesus and my heart was converted. That was in 2022. Ever since then I have had a growing desire to share Christ with as many people as I an.

I met the FOCUS Missionaries at the college in my hometown. I saw their mission, the way they were able to interact with students, and the impact they were having on the lives. I knew I wanted to live mission, but I didn’t think I was called to join FOCUS. I fought it for a good while, but after a couple months of God making it very clear to me that it was His will for me to join FOCUS, I said yes. Saying yes to that call was the best decision I’ve ever made!

The formation I have received being a FOCUS Missionary is truly priceless, and I feel more equipped than ever to live lifelong mission.

Your Impact

Being a FOCUS Missionary, I have the privilege of sharing in this mission with others through their prayerful and financial support! Some people give by going on mission and others go by giving to mission. Without supporters there is no mission, so I eagerly ask your hand in allowing me to devote my time to leading students in bible studies, putting on retreats, and by the grace of God, build genuine relationships with students. All of this with the goal of bringing them closer to Jesus Christ!

Give Now

If you have any questions or need help setting up your gift, please contact us at [email protected].

Find other missionaries

FOCUS brings the joy of the Gospel to colleges and parishes across the United States (and beyond)!

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FOCUS Find A Missionary Know Love Serve God Monstrance

Know, Love and Serve God

We encounter God in an intimate relationship through daily prayer, the sacraments and the Scriptures.

Build Virtuous Friendships

By building genuine friendships, we meet students on a deeper level.

FOCUS Find A Missionary Teach Others Share Christ Smiling

Teach Others to Share Christ

We teach students how to share the gospel, who in turn teach other students how to pass it on.

Host	Retreat Type	Start Date	End Date
Tulane University	Way of the Disciple	09/05/24	09/07/24
University of Nebraska Lincoln	The Sanctifier	09/13/24	09/15/24
Parish Outreach	The Father’s House	09/16/24	09/18/24
Kansas State University	The Father’s House	09/20/24	09/22/24
University of Delaware	Rec	09/20/24	09/22/24
University of South Carolina – Columbia	Rec	09/27/24	09/29/24
St. Francis University	The Father’s House	10/04/24	10/06/24
Nicholls State University	The Father’s House	10/04/24	10/06/24
Northwestern State University	The Father’s House	10/11/24	10/13/24
University of Memphis	The Father’s House	10/11/24	10/13/24
Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville	The Father’s House	10/18/24	10/20/24
Ohio State University	The Father’s House	10/18/24	10/20/24
University of Dallas	The Sanctifier	10/24/24	10/26/24
Central Connecticut State University	The Father’s House	10/25/24	10/27/24
Universidad de Monterrey	The Father’s House	10/25/24	10/27/24
California State University – Fullerton	The Father’s House	10/25/24	10/27/24
Sts. Anne and Joaquim, Fargo, ND	Way of the Disciple	11/01/24	11/03/24
University of Krems	Men’s	11/01/24	11/03/24
University of Mary	The Father’s House	11/08/24	11/10/24
DePauw University	Rec	11/08/24	11/10/24
Philanthropy Engagement	Way of the Disciple	11/15/24	11/17/24
University of Passau	Rec	11/21/24	11/23/24
Texas A&M University	The Sanctifier	02/07/25	02/09/25
FOCUS Greek Southeast	The Father’s House	02/14/25	02/16/25
FOCUS Greek Midwest	The Father’s House	02/14/25	02/16/25
Worcester Polytechnic Institute	The Sanctifier	02/14/25	02/16/25
FOCUS Greek Southwest	The Father’s House	02/21/25	02/23/25
Wayne State University	The Father’s House	02/21/25	02/23/25
University of Illinois-Chicago	The Sanctifier	02/21/25	02/23/25
Queens College of the City University of New York	The Father’s House	03/07/25	03/09/25
Nicholls State University	Way of the Disciple	03/07/25	03/09/25
Grand Valley State University	The Father’s House	03/28/25	03/30/25
University of Northern Iowa	Way of the Disciple	04/03/25	04/05/25
University of Nebraska Lincoln	The Father’s House	04/04/25	04/06/25
Arizona State University	Men’s	02/07/25	02/09/25
University of Nebraska at Kearney	Rec	09/27/24	09/29/24