David Di Nardo

“The victory has been won but the margin has yet to be determined.”- Jack Crisafi

 

Where I serve

Hello! I serve at Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, NC as a Varsity Catholic missionary. I am super excited to get to know the students in the valleys of North Carolina during my first year and to bring them the Word of God!

My Story

I joined FOCUS out of excitement for the embrace of a mission worth pursuing. I grew up in a strong Catholic household but really only saw my faith as going to church on Sunday. In high school I was inspired my youth minister to prioritize my relationship with Jesus Christ above all else, and through my years of college I’ve come to find out what great advice this is.

The striking reality is that without this counsel, I, like the vast majority of my Christian brothers and sisters, could have easily lost my faith due to the hyper secular and damaging culture that is the college world. 80% of Catholic college students will no longer practice the faith after graduating. My goal is to bring that number down as much as I can.

My friends have always described me like a golden retriever. For so long I’ve struggled with the distraction of always looking for the next big thing to do, the next crazy adventure, never making God the focal point of my labor. After (literally and metaphorically) running myself into the ground and coming to terms with my unsatisfaction my senior year, I decided to pour more into the relationship with Him that I never really prioritized. Soon, I saw lots of fruit.

 

Your Impact

I hope to use my background in college athletics as an avenue for reaching students that are susceptible to the overwhelming nature of being a college athlete. I know firsthand how easy it can be to wear your sport as a badge, making it the center of your life, and allowing it to claim your identity. As an engineering student, I also know how easy it can be to get consumed by your studies. I can’t wait to encourage athletes and students to approach their tasks with a healthy disposition and to avoid the same mistakes I made. The men I’ve had the pleasure of leading in bible study and discipleship have shown strong resolve and commitment towards making prayer and sacraments something to run towards!

Having seen so many of my own friends lose their way on the journey of college I know what’s at stake, but I’ve encountered the medicine. With a diversified college experience, in transferring from a small catholic college to a large secular university, I’ve seen the incredible presence FOCUS has and the effective role it plays in spreading the message of the Gospel. But the mission isn’t possible without the support of friends and family. So, I want to invite you to join me in this God-centered endeavor. It would be an honor to have you join the team!

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If you have any questions or need help setting up your gift, please contact us at [email protected].

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