Emily Williams

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

Matthew 9:36

SUPPORT Emily

Where I serve

I am thrilled to serve as a missionary at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Go Vols!!!

My Story

Growing up, I was blessed to be part of a family where our faith was prioritized. I was raised on scripture and the foundation that Jesus is our Lord and Savior. When I went to Clemson, I sought out Christian community and found it within my sorority and through volunteering as a YoungLife leader. From this experience, I learned a lot about abandoning comfort and boldly pursuing others but I knew there was something missing.

My junior year, I was connected with a FOCUS missionary who walked with me intentionally as I began to question a lot about my faith. She demonstrated the love of Christ to me and prayed for me as I learned more and more about who Jesus is and the life that He is calling each of us to live. My senior year of college, I became so incredibly convicted of Jesus in the Eucharist and of the establishment of the Catholic Church by Jesus that I decided to become Catholic.

Immediately after graduating, I moved to Birmingham and worked as a pediatric cardiovascular ICU nurse. I was challenged, both by my nursing job and even more by a tremendous loss in my family, which led me to rely on the Lord and his providence more than I ever had in my life. During this year, I pursued further understanding of church teachings and and grew more in love with Jesus as He continued to reveal Himself to me through time in adoration specifically.

I have seen firsthand how incredibly short life is. Our days are numbered – why wait?? With this new understanding of the brevity of life and the reality of death, I grew in intimacy with Christ and hope for eternal salvation. I have a deep longing for the many children of God who do not know they have a Father and do not know their identity as sons and daughters of Christ. I am on fire with how the Lord has worked in my heart and I know with full confidence that He wants to do the same with the men and women at UTK.

Your Impact

My call to mission with FOCUS requires help from you. I have the privilege of being sent out by FOCUS to bring the Gospel to our students, but I could not do my job without you! Your spiritual and financial generosity are what allow us to do what we do. I am so excited to bring you on mission with me as we reach to college students at UTK.

If you are interested in supporting me, please let me know the best way I can reach you and I will set up an appointment. I would be honored to have you on my team!

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