Benjamin Ostertag

Where I serve

Hi! I’m going be hanging out at Northern Illinois University this year with my teammates Lauren, Zach, and Andie! Go Huskies!

My Story

As I grew up and prepared to be confirmed in the Catholic Church, many of my big questions felt unanswered. My doubts and curiosities (along with many distorted views of life and fatherhood) led me away from the Church a week before getting confirmed.

6 years of building self-made morals and wavering beliefs led me searching for meaning in a life of recklessness. I was a broken person looking for ways to fill my innocent desires; most of the places I looked turned out to be disordered and were like putting a band aid on a broken arm.

At the start of 2022 (my Junior year at UW-Eau Claire), someone finally got to me. Our Lord Jesus Christ asked permission to speak to me. I said “yes” out of curiosity, dismissing the possibility of it being God. In that moment, he spoke truth and love into my being I’ve never heard before. This was more intense than anything else in my entire life. I was sick and alone in my house. I could not help but cry and wail for hours. He changed my life here, showing me True meaning where I thought I had to make meaning up for myself. He gave me everything.

I gave such a small “yes” out of simple curiosity; now Jesus has brought me here to FOCUS to share in faith, hope, and charity with others who search so diligently for identity and fulfillment as I have. I am absolutely convicted of this mission because a small invitation can turn into a lifetime of purpose and peace. For God to use me as a simple pencil to write His mysteriously perfect story is the highest honor I could imagine. Being a FOCUS missionary is my small “yes” to this call.

Your Impact

Our partnership gives students the opportunity to gain a new, more deeply experienced life! I gave my “yes” to rely on the spiritual and financial support of mission partners to help me through this mission. The amazing people who accompany me on this mission remind me of my purpose: to share the fruits of our energy, finances, and ultimately our Faith with young adults desperately searching for identity! If you are interested in partnering with me, I’d love to connect and schedule a meeting. It is an honor to walk alongside people like you on mission!

Find other missionaries

FOCUS brings the joy of the Gospel to colleges and parishes across the United States (and beyond)!
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.

FOCUS Find A Missionary Build Virtuous Friendships Together

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.

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