Alyssa Wanstrath

“In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”

John 16:33

My Story

Growing up in a Catholic family, I never questioned my Catholic faith (praise the Lord!) and by God’s grace I always knew that it would be a part of my life. I sought the Lord in some aspects of my life, but I was missing a big piece of the puzzle. I knew who the Lord was, but I did not know Him personally.

Through my relationships in high school youth group, I knew that the Newman Center was the place to find my people. As I began my freshman year at Ball State University (chirp! chirp!) studying Elementary and Special Education, I got involved immediately! Despite this wonderful community I had become a part of, I was sad and homesick. I tried to escape the feelings of loneliness and suppress the sadness I was experiencing. I rarely turned to the Lord for His consolation.

At this time I was invited to attend SEEK23. I was hesitant to say yes, but my friends convinced me to attend! The moment I arrived the Lord was convicting my heart. He invited me to change the way that I was living and orient everything I was doing towards Him. That week at SEEK I committed to praying daily and letting the Lord know me personally. When I got back onto campus that spring I had FOCUS missionaries and other students at the Newman Center to walk with me in this new life I had committed to. They were a place of encouragement and accountability for living as Christ had called me to.

These new habits of prayer led to knowing Christ more intimately than I could have ever imagined. This new life I was living in Christ set me free to live a full and joyful life! Now, I can’t help but share it with all I meet!

Your Impact

Just as I was encountered by the Lord through FOCUS and their apostolate, I hope to lead others to that same salvation and freedom through Jesus Christ. However, this is not something I can do alone!

In saying “yes” to FOCUS, I have made the choice to rely on the spiritual and financial support of others and to invite them to join the mission of bringing souls to Christ. If you are interested in joining the mission with me, I would love to set up an appointment and meet with you! Please reach out to me!

You can reach me at [email protected].

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

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Know, Love and Serve God

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

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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