The Lord has called me back to serve at my alma mater, the University of California – Irvine with my wife, Rebecca, and our daughter, Maria! Zot Zot Zot!

I was born into a catholic family, but for most of my earlier years I didn’t regard my faith as important. However, after a powerful prayer experience in Eucharistic Adoration during high school, my life was completely changed to follow Christ and His Church. But my faith journey was just beginning.

Transitioning into my first year at the University of California-Irvine, I knew that I wanted to maintain my catholic faith. My plan seemed perfect: each week attend a Bible study, prayer meeting, Sunday Mass, and as often as I can, go to Confession. Unfortunately, despite staying involved doing “good Catholic things,” my faith started to become a checklist rather than a deep and abiding relationship with God. This mindset of having to “perform” to remain in God’s love ultimately distorted my view of Him and placed an unnecessary burden of feeling “never enough” for the Lord. 

This all changed when I attended FOCUS’ SLS20 conference. Myself and thousands of other attendees had the privilege of entering into Eucharistic Adoration right after the New Year countdown into 2020. The song “Run to the Father” by Matt Maher started playing and this line cut to my heart: “My heart has been in Your sights / Long before my first breath / Running into Your arms / Is running to life from death / And I feel this rush deep in my chest / Your mercy is calling out / Just as I am / You pull me in / And I know I need You now”. For the first time I truly felt convicted that the Lord knows, sees, and loves me, and desires a relationship with me, not because of anything I have done or will do, but because of who He made me to be: beloved. 

From this point, I set out to share this truth with those around me. As a student, I began leading Bible studies and my friends in discipleship. Then, towards the end of my senior year at UC Irvine, I made the radical decision to serve as a FOCUS missionary – two years at UC Berkeley, and this most recent year at UC Irvine with my wife, Rebecca. Through it all, the goal has been the same: to make known the goodness of God and the truth of who we are as made for relationship.

After three years as a FOCUS missionary, my experience has been characterized by surrender, humility, and joyful sacrifice. I recall the interactions I’ve had over the years of people yearning and hurting in their pursuit of truth, purpose, and meaning. As I continue on in this work of evangelization, not just as a single missionary now, but with my family, I bring with me “not silver nor gold” but what I do have: the Good News of Jesus Christ. I’ve encountered many souls during my years as a FOCUS missionary, and I am grateful for the opportunity to encounter even more souls at UC Irvine. 

When I answered the call to join FOCUS, I made the decision to rely entirely on the spiritual and financial support of mission partners to help me through this mission. On the importance of mission partnership, a popular quote goes, “Some give by going. Others go by giving. Without both there is no missions.” Without your help, I cannot do the work God has called me to. But with your help, together, we can bring the light of Christ to those in desperate need of it. If you are interested in partnering with me, please contact me ([email protected]). Let’s build up the kingdom of God together!