Isabella Padilla

Hi! My name is Isabella, and I am a FOCUS missionary.

Only Jesus knows what is in your hearts and your deepest desires. Only He, who has loved you to the end can fulfil your aspirations.

Pope St. John Paul II

Where I serve

In my second year as a missionary, the Lord has called me to continue to serve at New York University in New York City. It has been such a joy to share the heart of the Gospel with my students in one of the best cities in the world.

My Story

But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, Jacob, and formed you, Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine.

Isaiah 43:1

In a most radical and beautiful way, the Lord has called me by name. He has called me to give Him my life; and it has ultimately led me to a path of pure freedom and transformation. When I began my freshman year at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., I had no idea the ways in which the Lord would pursue me, challenge me, and love me. I was raised Catholic, but never knew it was possible to have a deep, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It wasn’t until a FOCUS missionary asked me how I wanted to grow in my faith that a curiosity for Christ formed inside of me. Through Bible studies, discipleship, fellowship, and the sacraments, the Newman Center at GW became my home; and most importantly, the Holy Spirit ignited a fire inside of me that is only growing.

With Jesus at the center of my life, I have been made new. I have been transformed; and my heart has become so full of peace and joy. My heart beats for Jesus, and I have fallen in love with His most Sacred Heart. He has called me and continues to call me into a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him; and the best part of it all is that His abundant love calls every single person into perfect union and love with Him. That is the joy of the Gospel. God thirsts for His children; and yet so many people do not know of His thirst or have never encountered His love.

And, thus, to share with others the love of Christ is a joy I never thought I could experience. Like the Samaritan woman (John 4), an encounter with Jesus changed my life, and it calls me to proclaim the Good News. When the Lord asked me to give Him my life, it became so clear that He was calling me on mission through FOCUS. It is such an honor to get to walk with students at such a critical time in their lives when they long for something more. I get to be a witness to their encounter with our Lord and watch as their whole lives are transformed. Jesus has called me to serve, and there is no greater gift.

Your Impact

In my “yes” to the Lord through FOCUS, I made the decision to rely on the spiritual and financial support of mission partners to help me through this mission. By serving as a mission partner, you will play a vital and beautiful role in fulfilling Jesus’ mission on a college campus. Your support will bring me to campus and help me to share the love of Christ with others. If you are interested in partnering with me, please let me know of the best way to reach you, and we can schedule an appointment. You can contact me at 561-801-5855 or [email protected]!

It would be an immense honor to journey with you on this mission!

Find other missionaries

FOCUS brings the joy of the Gospel to colleges and parishes across the United States (and beyond)!
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By building genuine friendships, we meet students on a deeper level.

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Teach Others to Share Christ

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

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