Jacob Avard

“The reason for our existence is to quench the thirst of Jesus. When he asked for water, the soldier gave him vinegar to drink—but his thirst was for love, for souls, for you and me.”

(Mother Teresa of Calcutta)

Our Story

Born and raised in Texas, I learned of Christ in 2012 through a Baptist Church in my hometown. In 2016 I decided to be baptized. Until 2019 I remained on the fence, one foot on a life seeking God, and the other seeking the world. Two faithful men sat me down and asked, “What is the Gospel?” This catalyst led me down a search for full and absolute biblical truth.

I began to understand the fullness of the Gospel, the need for full trust in Christ, and to become deeply rooted, my faith grew over the years through the investment of faithful men within my fraternity – Beta Upsilon Chi, a local ministry, and my community at Texas State University. I encountered Catholicism for the first time after meeting Mikayla. After years of discourse with Catholics, I took a step of discernment – after coming face to face with the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time at Seek.

After a deep study of Holy Communion, and other challenges I had with the Catholic faith – through deep prayer, fellowship, and Sacred Scripture I decided to become Catholic. After this period of discernment, I was confirmed on Easter Vigil of 2023. Post-graduation Mikayla has served at Texas A&M as a missionary, while I worked at Dell Technologies. I actively volunteer with FOCUS as an affiliate, dedicating his time and energy to support their initiatives.

Your Impact

Your impact propels the gospel. Students stepping on to campus for the first time are in need of truth, beauty and goodness. The next leaders of our world are seeking community and desperately need God. God called me to mission, relying on mission partners spiritually and financially. By your gift, I will be able to share the Gospel, disciple and serve students, host bible studies, and bring God to all in need of his love. Let’s fulfill the Lord’s great commission together and I’d love to share this mission with you!

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