Brennan & Lizzy Connelly

No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

John 15:12

Where We serve

We have had the gift of serving with FOCUS for five years. In past years, Brennan has served at Benedictine College and the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and Lizzy has served at Indiana University. Together, we currently serve as campus missionaries at Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Missouri.

Our Story

Brennan: I was a professional athletic trainer and had reached a point where I had practiced in four different countries and worked personally with World Series Champions, World Cup Soccer competitors, future NFL players, and even an Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling. I was pretty proud of my resume but eventually came to the realization that my relationship with Jesus was taking a backseat to the world of athletics. Through a tough decision process, I decided that what I needed more than anything was to devote more of myself to God.

Lizzy: I was studying at the University of Missouri – Columbia (Mizzou) when I had a profound encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist. I was a self-professed agnostic, raised in the Catholic Church but convinced that Church teachings were hateful and unnecessary. After experiencing Eucharistic Adoration for the first time at age 21, I took an intellectual deep dive with an open heart to understand Christ and His Church while interning at the Catholic News Agency in Denver. My decision to join FOCUS is the result of a radical change of heart. Each year I serve with the ministry, Jesus gives me a greater desire for people to know His Eucharistic love.

We met through FOCUS and were married in December of 2023. The Lord continues to give us immense zeal for souls as a couple, and we are joyfully responding to his call to raise a family while doing mission work.

Your Impact

When we answered the call to join FOCUS, we made the decision to rely on the spiritual and financial support of mission partners. We’ve been blessed with some wonderful people who are joining us on mission. If you are interested in partnering with us, please contact us at 4026013133 or [email protected] and let us know the best way to reach you. We’d be honored to share this mission with you. God bless!

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

By building genuine friendships, we meet students on a deeper level.

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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.

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