James Turner

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

SUPPORT James

Where I serve

God has called me to serve in the Bosco Project at Elmhurst University & North Central College in Naperville, Illinois!

The Bosco Project is FOCUS’s way of hiring more men who need more formation before going out on full-time mission. Don’t worry, I will still be a missionary, but I will have extra time for formation to become the man which God has called me to be!

My Story

I was born and raised Catholic and attended Catholic school my entire life, but for most of it, I never truly understood what it meant to have a relationship with God. By the time I went off to college at Central Michigan University, I had convinced myself I was leaving my faith behind. I even remember walking past the Catholic church on campus during a tour and thinking, “I will never step foot in that building.”

That changed during my sophomore year after experiencing significant heartbreak that forced me to make a choice: continue pursuing the college lifestyle or begin pursuing God seriously. By God’s grace, I chose Him. I started going back to Mass, praying regularly, and returned to confession for the first time in eight years. Eventually, I even became a custodian at the same church I once swore I’d never enter.

Around that same time, FOCUS missionaries arrived on campus. Their love for Christ was unlike anything I had seen before. Through Bible study and discipleship, I began building a real relationship with Jesus, though I still struggled to fully surrender my life to Him. During my senior year, I attended a FOCUS interview weekend in Chicago convinced I would not become a missionary. Instead, God completely changed my heart. I left ready to say yes, and a month later I officially became a FOCUS missionary, excited to help lead others to Christ.

Your Impact

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

– 2 Corinthians 9:7

Part of my mission as a missionary is not only to reach college students with the Gospel, but also to invite others into that mission through prayer, encouragement, and financial partnership. Through your support, I will be able to accompany students on campus and share the love of Christ with both them and you and your family.

If you feel called to support this mission, or would just like to learn more about it, I would love to schedule a meeting with you to discuss more!

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