Jessica Taylor

Maria Taylor

Hey! My name’s Jess. I’m a FOCUS missionary at Mississippi State University!

Where I serve

God has called me to serve a fourth year with FOCUS as the new Team Director at Mississippi State University! Hail Mary and Hail State!

My Story

As I began my freshman year at Southern Methodist University, I was instantly overwhelmed with the typical college lifestyle and was unsure of how to balance this and my faith life. It was during my first semester when I was invited by a missionary to attend a FOCUS conference, SLS 2018, in January. She offered me a scholarship to attend and it was there that I experienced, for the first time, thousands of students my age, alive in their faith and pursuing a personal relationship with Jesus.

Coming back to SMU for the next semester, I pledged Alpha Chi Omega. For a while, I tried to keep my faith life and sorority life separate, out of fear of rejection from my new friends. This lasted about a semester until an older girl in my sorority began to walk with me in friendship and faith. Because of this friendship she was able to challenge me to be bold in my faith. During my sophomore year, I started going to daily mass, a weekly Bible study and was making time to pray daily. I encountered Jesus not only in my friendships but in the Eucharist! My junior year, I started to lead an Alpha Chi Bible study and had the amazing opportunity to walk with girls in my chapter just like someone had done with me!

My desire is to meet women where they are at and help lead them to Jesus because I wouldn’t be where I am today without my Alpha Chi sister and FOCUS missionaries willingness to let Christ work through them!

Your Impact

When I answered the call to join FOCUS, I made the decision to rely on the spiritual and financial support of mission partners to help me through this mission. I’ve been blessed with the most amazing people who have journeyed with me as I serve on campus. If you are interested in partnering with me, please let me know of the best way to reach you and I will schedule an appointment. I’d be honored to share this mission with you!

[email protected]

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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