Emilie Nelson

“Some give by going, some go by giving.” – St. Pope John Paul II

Where I serve

05.31.2026 PlacementDay JO 13

I am being sent to Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina. Above is a picture of my awesome new teammates! Left to right: Kailyn, David, and Sam. I will also be serving as a Varsity Catholic missionary, so I’ll be reaching out to athletes on campus especially!

My Story

I was raised Catholic and learned about the faith from my parents and the Catholic schools I attended. It was always clear to me that my faith was not something I could just set aside, but it took many others inviting me into deeper relationship with Christ to truly learn what this meant. At the Steubenville conference and my Confirmation, I was invited into real relationship with God for the first time. I began to invest more in my faith, but it was mostly on my own. It was when I went to Benedictine College to study architecture and run cross country and track that I was welcomed into a tight-knit community that challenged me to go deeper in my trust in God. My teammates and coaches showed me what it means to love God fully: mind, body, and soul. They acted as Christ in my life, encouraging me to do the same for others.

God has been hinting at FOCUS for a little while, but it wasn’t until this past Christmas Eve that I decided to join FOCUS. God has called me to “give without measure” and put my architecture career on hold so I can dedicate myself fully to the service of others. I am so grateful for those who brought me closer to God and I would love to do the same for others. I want to meet students where they are and be the friend to call them into deeper surrender to Christ and into authentic relationship with a community that truly cares for them.

Your Impact

By saying yes to being a missionary, I have committed myself to relying on the generous spiritual and financial support of mission partners like you! I am so excited to partner with you in reaching hearts and bringing them closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. If you would like to join me in this mission, feel free to reach out and I will schedule an appointment. My phone number is 541-232-4731 and my email is [email protected]. I would be so honored to share this mission with you!

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)!

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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