We encounter God in an intimate relationship through daily prayer, the sacraments and the Scriptures.
Hello! My name is Doug Gerda. I’m a FOCUS missionary at Bowling Green State University!
I am blessed to serve at Bowling Green State University!
I grew up Catholic and regularly attended Sunday Mass, but I never developed a personal relationship with Jesus. When I entered college at the University of Cincinnati, I drifted into a party lifestyle that left me feeling empty and isolated. Eventually in my second year a friend invited me to a Bible study, where I experienced authentic Christian community for the first time. That experience led me to seek God through Scripture, Mass, and prayer, and over time He transformed my heart. God revealing my need for a personal relationship with Him and a life fully devoted to His will.
The next semester I got involved at the Catholic Newman Center and started praying more consistently. I continued attending Bible study and found leaders who pushed me deeper in my faith through discipleship. Eventually, I became a Bible study leader myself and started walking with others through discipleship. Through both my own experience and the experiences of other students, I saw firsthand how much more fulfilled our lives became when we placed Jesus Christ at the center. I went from feeling lost and alone to being completely fulfilled through God’s love and mercy. I want to help people come to know God and build a relationship with him they way others helped me in college.
From this desire, I felt God calling me to serve as a full-time missionary with FOCUS. I now have the incredible opportunity to walk alongside college students who are searching for meaning and purpose, just as I once was. I cannot wait to help accompany them discover the joy, freedom, and fulfillment that comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
We are all called to serve the Lord in different ways, and when I answered the call to join FOCUS, I chose to rely on the spiritual and financial support of mission partners to walk alongside me in this mission. Your support allows me to build authentic friendships with students, disciple them in their faith, and help them become the men God is calling them to be. If you are interested in partnering with me, please let me know the best way to reach you, and I would be honored to schedule an appointment to share more about this mission with you. As much as it will be my work on campus, it will truly be through your support both financially and spiritually in leading souls to Christ!
If you have any questions or need help setting up your gift, please contact us at [email protected].

We encounter God in an intimate relationship through daily prayer, the sacraments and the Scriptures.

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

We teach students how to share the gospel, who in turn teach other students how to pass it on.