We encounter God in an intimate relationship through daily prayer, the sacraments and the Scriptures.
I have had the privilege of following in the footsteps of two notable and saintly missionary disciples during my time in FOCUS. I served my first two years at Carroll College, the stomping grounds of the late Father Stu, in Helena, Montana. Now, I am serving as the team director at South Dakota State University: one of the four schools that Michelle Duppong was able to serve at during her time with FOCUS. Saint Paul says to “be imitators of me as I am of Christ”; pray that I can do just that, imitate others who have already walked in the dust of the Rabbi.
My story begins like many others in my generation; I was born into a family that desired to raise me and my siblings up in the sacraments. However, as I began involving myself in extracurriculars, the life of Faith took a backseat to things I found more important: sports, school, friends, social life, and the liking. By the time that I got to high school, I was not attending Mass outside of Christmas and Easter.
Things started to change when I arrived at North Dakota State University and was invited into a bible study by some of my friends. I had never actively read scripture before and while I didn’t recognize it at the time, my life was transformed in that invitation. In between then and my college graduation, many things have happened that I have seen God’s hand in, but in summary, after a providential encounter with the Eucharist and a failed attempt to have me leave the Catholic Church I was soon after asked to interview with FOCUS.
I fell in love with Jesus while I was in college. Now, I enter my third year with the organization, inviting others to meet Him too. He will do the rest.
When I answered the call to join FOCUS, I made the decision to rely on the spiritual and financial support of mission partners to help me through this mission. I’ve been blessed with the most amazing people who have journeyed with me as I serve on campus. If you are interested in partnering with me, please let me know of the best way to reach you and I will schedule an appointment. I’d be honored to share this mission with you.
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.