Hey all, I am first year missionary and I am excited to announce that I am being sent to Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC with my team (Josh, Mary Wilson, Brigette, and me)!! I am really excited to serve with my team and to encounter the students at Wake Forest!

I have been blessed to grow up Catholic, and I became more involved with my faith during my junior year in high school, which helped me to choose to attend Belmont Abbey College, where I encountered two people who would change my life. First, I met my FOCUS missionary Quinn, who walked with me during my four years on campus, and I also met my fiancé Emily. Through Quinn I quickly got involved with FOCUS. Something that always stuck with me about my missionaries is that they always encountered me intentionally and desired me to grow in my faith and deeper in my relationship with Christ.

I felt the calling to join FOCUS in the summer of ’23 when I was able to participate in FOCUS’ Summer Projects. In those 10 weeks, I was actively pursued and poured into by men who I didn’t know but who desired my sanctity. Through them and their constant perusal of me, I was open to the call and pursue mission as a FOCUS missionary.

The college campus is a battlefield where young men and women face choices that determine how their lives will play out. Spiritual attacks are common, and many young men and women lose their faith because they give in to the temptations of the world. The Lord says this of the path to Heaven: “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14) How can they enter if they have not been shown the way?

I have been given a great blessing of my faith and the opportunity to pursue it while at college. This opportunity is not given to all, and it is my desire to go out and encounter students. I was given many opportunities at Belmont Abbey, and I hope to use my experiences to encounter students while serving on campus. I have seen the impact that FOCUS has had on my life and desire to go out and encounter others as I was encountered and give them the opportunities I was given.

Mission is not done by us alone. The Lord provides the opportunities for us to encounter others who desire to serve alongside us by giving of their prayers and support. We are all called to serve, but not all in the same way. It is through the generosity of our mission partners that we can go out and encounter others. I would like to invite you to prayerfully consider how the Lord is calling you to serve and how you can best spread the truth of the gospel! Please pray for me as I go out on mission and know of my prayers for you!