I am serving my first year as a missionary at Dickinson State University in North Dakota. I will be reaching out to athletes on campus, helping them to grow in their spiritual life despite having busy schedules with sports and classes.

Growing up, I always had an appreciation for my faith, yet as I got into college, I came to realize that there was something missing from the way I was living. I had begun to just go through the motions, going to church without really having my heart in it. I found that, there were many aspects of my faith life where I had become complacent, having a “That’s good enough” attitude. I was putting myself and my desires before my family, friends, and my faith. As time went on, I found myself continually needing more things to feel satisfied. The more I strived for material things and success, it became apparent that I was missing something.

Through the involvement of FOCUS at Ohio Northern University, I came to grow in my faith and relationship with God in a way that changed my life. I met someone who truly wanted what was best for me and someone who could be an excellent example of what it means to live a life for Christ. I became a FOCUS missionary so that I could share with others the true freedom that we can have by choosing to follow Christ in our everyday life, and to help students foster the desire to grow in relationship with God throughout and after college.

Growing in my relationship with God has changed my life in a way that I never would have expected. Finding my identity rooted in Christ has given me confidence and a joy that I never even knew I was missing. Building a stronger relationship with God has radically changed my outlook on my faith and life, and I am excited to go out and share that joy with the college students I meet on campus.