Isabella Pavlis

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

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Where I serve

I serve as a first year missionary at the University of Minnesota – Duluth, go Bulldogs! As a Varsity Catholic missionary, I walk intentionally with female athletes in order to show them their true identity in Jesus Christ rather than be weighted down by the pressures of athletics.

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My Story

I was raised Catholic, but for most of my life, I didn’t truly know Jesus. By the time I entered college at the University of South Dakota as a track and field athlete, I was weighed down by the pressures of the world and carried deep shame from my past. I had no plans to live out my faith, but God had a different plan.

Through His providence, I was placed with a Catholic roommate, and together we decided to give church a try. That small step opened the door for a FOCUS missionary to enter my life. She saw something in me that I couldn’t yet see in myself. She walked with me, invited me into Bible studies, and patiently helped me discover the joy of a relationship with Jesus.

Later that year, I attended my first FOCUS conference called SEEK. There, I went to confession for the first time in a long time. I’ll never forget what the priest told me: “You’re not supposed to carry that all by yourself.” It was in that moment I finally understood: Jesus Christ had already carried it for me. He died for my sins so that I could live in freedom.

That truth changed everything. Since then, I’ve continued to grow closer to Christ and have felt a burning desire to share His love with others. The Gospel is too good to keep to myself—I want everyone to know the freedom and joy that only Jesus can offer.

Your Impact

When I said “yes” to God’s call to serve as a FOCUS missionary surrendered to depending entirely on Him to provide through the generosity and faith of others. This mission is not something I can do alone. I’ve been incredibly blessed by those who have already chosen to partner with me, walking beside me both spiritually and financially as I work to bring souls back to Christ on campus.

I believe God is calling others to be a part of this mission. If your heart is stirred, I would love to connect with you personally, share more about the mission, and see how God might be inviting you to join in His work. Please feel free to reach out or let me know the best way to contact you. I’d be honored to set up a time to talk (605-864-8232).

Together, we can bear fruit that will last for eternity.

God bless you.

Give Now

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

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

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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.

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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.

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