I’m excited to share that this fall, I’ll be starting a new chapter as a FOCUS missionary at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa! Loras is a small Catholic college with a strong athletic culture, and there’s a real need for intentional outreach—especially to student-athletes. I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to be part of what God is doing on campus: inviting students into deeper relationship with Christ and walking with them in faith and discipleship.

Please keep me, the students, and our mission in your prayers as I begin this new journey. I’ll be serving alongside an amazing team of three other missionaries and our campus chaplain. Pictured below from left to right are: Brooke, Hannah, Tristan and his daughter Ruth, Fr. Dustin Vu, and me.

My faith journey began at St. Ann Parish in Stoughton, Wisconsin, where mission trips and community service nurtured my desire to serve and lead others in their faith. After high school, I attended Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan.

Starting college during the peak of COVID-19 deeply affected both my life and faith. Without the structure and encouragement I had at home, my freshman year was a struggle—balancing academics with soccer while drifting away from my faith. Looking back, I see how much I struggled because of it.

My sophomore year marked a turning point. Returning to campus, I found myself in the same struggle but decided to approach it differently. One Sunday in the fall, I attended Mass and met a FOCUS missionary named Alek. After a brief conversation, he invited me on a mission trip to Mexico City over spring break. Without hesitation, I said yes. That decision shifted my perspective—I began owning my faith for myself rather than practicing it for others.
I joined a Bible study, started discipleship with Alek, and integrated faith more fully into my life. After the mission trip, I returned energized and eager to share my faith with friends.
The following fall in my Junior, I deepened my involvement, especially after meeting another missionary, Ben, who ended up becoming one of my best friends while I was in college. That year, I attended SEEK, FOCUS’ national event for young adults exploring their Catholic faith in community. Inspired, I went on another mission trip—this time to Guyana—where a conversation with Ben challenged me to stop living a double life and fully commit to Christ and to leave the World behind.

That summer, I consistently attended Mass with my friend Jack, witnessing firsthand the power of faith. It was then that I first felt called to missionary work. Returning to campus, I was asked to lead a Bible study and mentor others as missionaries had mentored me. Encouraged by this, I applied to FOCUS, attended an interview weekend, and connected with future missionary peers. Receiving my offer to become a missionary felt surreal—an opportunity to be for others what Alek and Ben had been for me, particularly among college athletes facing the same challenges I had.

Over my four years in college, I participated in multiple mission trips and SEEK’s, each reinforcing my passion for serving college communities and beyond. These transformative experiences solidified my calling to missionary work with FOCUS, where I hope to extend my outreach and inspire others in their faith journey.

When I joined FOCUS, I made the decision to rely fully on the generosity of others—both in prayer and financial support—through a team of mission partners. It’s a step of faith, but one that allows others to be personally part of the mission with me.

As I head to campus this year, I’d love to invite you to come with me—through your support. If you feel called to join my mission team, please reach out! I’d love to share more about the vision of FOCUS and how, together, we can help change the world by reaching souls for Christ.