Elias Whaley

‘We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.’

2 Corinthians 4:7-10

SUPPORT Elias

Where I serve

My name is Elias. I am now serving my second year as a missionary at Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA, alongside three other missionaries. We are excited to reach the students on our campus and share God’s love and His church with them!

My Story

I was born and raised in South Dakota. I received the inheritance of the Catholic faith from the moment I was born, but it was not guarded or cultivated. When I left home for this first time, I left my faith behind. I spent my life in loose living and experienced a deep restlessness. It was during this time that I realized that the things I was pursuing could not give me the peace or purpose I was looking for.

After two years apart from the faith of my childhood, the Lord met me in a profoundly personal way and completely changed the direction of my life. Through prayer, scripture, the sacraments, and the witness of faithful Catholics, I began seriously returning to the faith. This quickly became a desire to commit my life to Christ. As I continued growing into a disciple; I became increasingly convicted that I was being called not only to know Christ more deeply, but also to help others come to know Him.

That desire eventually led me to serve as a missionary with FOCUS. I know firsthand what it is like to search for meaning apart from God. And so, my desire is to walk with students and help them to encounter Jesus Christ, grow in the sacramental life of the Church, and discover the identity and purpose they were created for.

Your Impact

Being a FOCUS Missionary, I have the privilege of sharing the mission with others through their prayerful and financial support. Some people give by going on mission and others go by giving to mission. Without supporters there is no mission, so I eagerly ask your hand in allowing me to devote my time to leading students in bible study, discipleship, and friendship. All of this with the goal of bringing them closer to Jesus Christ.

Give Now

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

Find other missionaries

FOCUS brings the joy of the Gospel to colleges and parishes across the United States (and beyond)!

GET STARTED

FOCUS Find A Missionary Know Love Serve God Monstrance

Know, Love and Serve God

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

Build Virtuous Friendships

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

FOCUS Find A Missionary Teach Others Share Christ Smiling

Teach Others to Share Christ

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

Host	Retreat Type	Start Date	End Date
Tulane University	Way of the Disciple	09/05/24	09/07/24
University of Nebraska Lincoln	The Sanctifier	09/13/24	09/15/24
Parish Outreach	The Father’s House	09/16/24	09/18/24
Kansas State University	The Father’s House	09/20/24	09/22/24
University of Delaware	Rec	09/20/24	09/22/24
University of South Carolina – Columbia	Rec	09/27/24	09/29/24
St. Francis University	The Father’s House	10/04/24	10/06/24
Nicholls State University	The Father’s House	10/04/24	10/06/24
Northwestern State University	The Father’s House	10/11/24	10/13/24
University of Memphis	The Father’s House	10/11/24	10/13/24
Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville	The Father’s House	10/18/24	10/20/24
Ohio State University	The Father’s House	10/18/24	10/20/24
University of Dallas	The Sanctifier	10/24/24	10/26/24
Central Connecticut State University	The Father’s House	10/25/24	10/27/24
Universidad de Monterrey	The Father’s House	10/25/24	10/27/24
California State University – Fullerton	The Father’s House	10/25/24	10/27/24
Sts. Anne and Joaquim, Fargo, ND	Way of the Disciple	11/01/24	11/03/24
University of Krems	Men’s	11/01/24	11/03/24
University of Mary	The Father’s House	11/08/24	11/10/24
DePauw University	Rec	11/08/24	11/10/24
Philanthropy Engagement	Way of the Disciple	11/15/24	11/17/24
University of Passau	Rec	11/21/24	11/23/24
Texas A&M University	The Sanctifier	02/07/25	02/09/25
FOCUS Greek Southeast	The Father’s House	02/14/25	02/16/25
FOCUS Greek Midwest	The Father’s House	02/14/25	02/16/25
Worcester Polytechnic Institute	The Sanctifier	02/14/25	02/16/25
FOCUS Greek Southwest	The Father’s House	02/21/25	02/23/25
Wayne State University	The Father’s House	02/21/25	02/23/25
University of Illinois-Chicago	The Sanctifier	02/21/25	02/23/25
Queens College of the City University of New York	The Father’s House	03/07/25	03/09/25
Nicholls State University	Way of the Disciple	03/07/25	03/09/25
Grand Valley State University	The Father’s House	03/28/25	03/30/25
University of Northern Iowa	Way of the Disciple	04/03/25	04/05/25
University of Nebraska Lincoln	The Father’s House	04/04/25	04/06/25
Arizona State University	Men’s	02/07/25	02/09/25
University of Nebraska at Kearney	Rec	09/27/24	09/29/24