I am so pumped that Jesus has invited me to return to the University of Southern California as the Team Director! Fight on! My teammates are: Chris, Kevin, Gabby, Mary and Lupita!

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8

But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher?” Romans 10:14

As a student-athlete at the University of Texas, my life was consumed by the effort to perform both academically and athletically. I was baptized Catholic but did not understand it was possible to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and from that live to praise and glorify Him. It was an invitation by my teammate, Katie, to an FCA meeting and nothing better to do, where I met two FOCUS Varsity Catholic missionaries, Claire and Luke. Having most of my life defined by what I could do for others and proving my usefulness, I was questioning why these two people were consumed with wanting to know me deeply and love me generously. It was because of Jesus. They saw the poor Jesus in me and wanted me to know the Father’s love so greatly, they give their very selves so that I may hear the Gospel. I was so moved by their authentic and joyful witness to the love of Christ, I longed to know more of this faith they lived their lives by. I was questioning the validity of the Catholic faith because of the poor catechesis I received growing up and my own ignorance but had a profound reversion to the Church through an intense prayerful and intellectual pursuit of Truth. I joined a Bible study and soon after encountered Jesus’ true presence in the Eucharist.

The Father relentlessly pursued me all my life and he used these missionaries as a vessel to which He encountered me through their authentic friendship and way of living. As a missionary, my deepest desire is to know Jesus authentically and help students come to encounter Him. There is not a greater gift I have received than the one of my faith through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Being called to be His missionary on the college campus is amongst one of the greatest joys and privileges I have received. The Lord, three in One, has pursued me and loved me in ways that have transformed the way I live and Whom I desire to live for. I have been entrusted with such a sweet and good gift to be shared and delighted in with every person I encounter. How undeserving am I the Lord has redeemed me by His Holy Cross and entrusted to me the ministry of reconciliation!

And Jesus came and said to them, Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.  Matthew 28:19-20

As a missionary, I desire to lead students to a personal relationship with Christ. I know first-hand the difference Christian community makes for college students, and I fully believe these students are worth our efforts! In His ministry on Earth, Jesus humbled Himself to meet us on our level, taking on our humanity, and spent most of His time investing deeply in a few. I hope to follow Jesus’ example by meeting student-athletes where they are at and showing them their true identities as beloved daughters of God.

The Gospel is the crux of our lives as followers of Christ and we are called to go and share it with the world. As the Lord has called, my prayer is to respond faithfully and courageously, “Here am I. Send me.”

“God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life. For this reason, at every time and in every place, God draws close to man. He calls man to seek him, to know him, to love him with all his strength.” CCC1

When I answered the call to join FOCUS, I made the decision to rely on the spiritual and financial support of mission partners to help me through this mission. I’ve been deeply blessed with incredibly people the Lord has been so gracious to help me encounter and know, who have given themselves to join me on mission as I serve on campus. In great generosity, the Lord has provided in massive ways to make this mission possible. If you are interested in partnering with me, please let me know of the best way to reach you and I will schedule an appointment. I’d be honored to share this mission with you.

“Not that I seek the gift; but I seek the fruit which increases to your credit.” Philippians 4:17

Some give by going to the missions. Others go by giving to the missions. Without both, there are no missions. – Saint Teresa of Calcutta

[email protected]