Hello, I’m Asher Mersereau and my wife Mikayla and I are serving as FOCUS missionaries at Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Go Wolves!

Asher’s Story: I grew up in a very active and faithful protestant family. However, beginning in middle-school and high-school my life began to be steeped in sin and my faith began to fade. Throughout this time I was miserable, and my life became very dark. In the midst of this time the Lord called me back to himself. In my searching I found the Catholic Church and the intimacy with Christ it provided. I entered into the Catholic Church on April 25, 2020. FOCUS was with me through my conversion, and into my new found faith. I am a FOCUS missionary so that I can lead others to Christ as I have been led.

Mikayla’s Story: Similar to Asher, I was raised in a faithful family. As a mormon, I grew up going to church every Sunday and participated in youth group activities. I enjoyed my faith in my upbringing, but it was not something that became solidified in my heart. When college came, I completely fell away from my faith and did not know if God loved me or cared about me. Through two students involved in FOCUS at our Newman Center, I was introduced to the Catholic faith, and entered into the Church on April 3, 2021. During my conversion, however, I lost all of the friends I had made at the beginning of college. Seeking community, I turned to our Newman Center, where I was invited into a FOCUS bible study and began walking with others in discipleship. It was through FOCUS that I found the community that I needed to live out my faith during my college years, and I hope to be a faithful friend and leader to students.

When we answered the call to join FOCUS, we made the decision to rely on the spiritual and financial support of mission partners to help us through this mission. We’ve been blessed with the most amazing people who have journeyed with us as we serve on campus. The work we do ministering full time to the students at NSU would not be possible, if not for the generous support of our partners.  If you are interested in partnering with us, please let us know of the best way to reach you and we will schedule an appointment. We’d be honored to share in this mission with you.