Julia Herndon

It brings me great joy to be on mission with you! Thank you for being you.

Where I serve

I’m a second year missionary serving at Middle Tennessee State University! Go Blue Raiders!!!

MTSU team pic

Team MTSU! From left to right: George, George Daniel, Hannah, Caitie, and myself!

My Story

I would not be Catholic if it weren’t for FOCUS missionaries. In my second year of college at the University of Northern Colorado, I realized that my understanding of myself and of God was very far from the truth. As a fallen away Catholic, I saw myself as a project to be fixed and God as a distant Father.

As the missionaries won my heart to Jesus through friendship, my heart was being softened. We had so many good conversations and shared so many deep belly laughs! I was challenged and deeply loved by them. I am so grateful that they were there to tell me the truth about who I am and what I am made for. I needed to hear it several times.

Olivia, the missionary who walked with me

While growing in friendship with them, I started to frequent the sacraments again and prayed daily. The trajectory of my life completely changed. I loved praying in our chapel next to our Catholic center and spending time with Jesus. His gaze for me pierced my heart. Even as I struggled with my own weaknesses, wounds, and the call of the Catholic Church, He never stopped looking at me with delight and joy. He showed me that I’m not a project to be fixed, but His daughter and that He is an attentive and completely engaged Father. Even though I wasn’t present in my relationship with Him, He was always present to me.

I know there are so many women who see themselves as projects to be fixed or that God is distant, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth! I have experienced the power of God’s love and desire for others to experience this healing power.

The Chapel where I fell in love with Jesus

Abby, Emily, Claire, Leelah, Carol, Gabby, and Alyssa are in my Bible study, and I have the honor to walk with most of them in discipleship

Your Impact

One of the greatest gifts we could ever receive is knowing that we were made for something more. Made for a relationship with a God who loves us, who saved us from sin and death, and who invites us into a beautiful and meaningful life as His children.

It is both humbling and powerful to be used by God to share this gift with students. But this mission isn’t possible without you. Your support makes it possible to reach students who are searching for truth, belonging, and purpose. Even one transformed life can have a ripple effect. It impacts relationships, families, parishes, businesses, and entire communities. I have experienced this in my own life and have witnessed it in others.

If you feel called to be a part of this mission with me, I would love to connect. It would be an honor to share this mission with you.

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)!

GET STARTED

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