Hi everyone, my name is Anthony and the Lord has called me to serve the students at California State University, Stanislaus! Go Warriors!

I was raised in a Hispanic Catholic household and I was deeply involved in my faith during my upbringing, like altar serving at the Spanish Mass and attending youth group. In addition to this, I was a creative child; I loved singing, dancing and drawing!

For college, I attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Go Rebels! In the beginning of my time there, I battled a lot with my self-worth and was in a dark time of my life. Leading me to step away from the sacrament of Confession and the Eucharist for a year in college. Then, one day during my freshman year, my sister and I decided to take a trip to visit a Newman Community in Minnesota and little did I know how that trip would change the trajectory of my life.

On that trip, I encountered FOCUS Missionaries for the first time! One of the missionaries, gave a talk about the Annunciation and gave the FOCUS question, “What If You Said Yes?” One yes can change everything, and we can see that through Mary’s yes in accepting our Savior into her womb and raising Him.

I then met the priest and he was gracious enough to hear me, and we sat face-to-face in the reconciliation room. I was drowning in my sorrow as I told him my sins and felt ashamed, and it wasn’t until I saw his face, filled with compassion, love, and sorrow for my broken soul, that I truly saw for the first time the face of God the Father. 

Looking back at it now, I call that my “Prodigal Son” moment.

The next day, my sister and I went to Mass and I received Jesus in the Eucharist. The Creator and His beloved child reunited once again. I met with one of the missionaries who told me about SEEK23, a Catholic young adult conference, and talked about what FOCUS is and its mission. After this encounter and the next couple of years, I fell more deeply in love with Jesus in the Eucharist and attended the SEEK conferences. Through SEEK, I joined Digital Outreach, since we didn’t have FOCUS on my campus at the time, and other formation programs like FOCUS Summer Projects. I also joined Bible studies and discipleship groups!

Through FOCUS, Jesus convicted me to understand that He is abundantly generous in His mercy and desires a deep personal relationship with me. He thought of me at the beginning of time, His agony in the garden, at the crucifixion, and His resurrection. Through this, He is saying that it is good that I exist. That I’m a beloved son of the Father. 

In this time the Lord put a desire in my heart to be a FOCUS Missionary. To go out and search for others whom He wants to call back home to His heart and tell them:

“I have called you by name, you are Mine… because you are precious in My eyes, and honored and I love you.” Isaiah 43:1,4

The Lord Jesus and I need your help! If it weren’t for the supporters who were on mission with the missionary whom I encountered, I wouldn’t have had these amazing encounters with Jesus the past couple of years.

That’s why I want to invite YOU on this journey with me! To help students encounter Christ Jesus and know that He thirsts for them personally! Your financial support can go a long way. Imagine the work we can do together through our yes.