I serve at Middle Tennessee State University! Go Blue Raiders!!!

Growing up, I desired many things—friends, happiness, and fun—all of which were rooted in a deep longing to be loved. To fulfill this desire on my own, I grasped to the things I had placed my identity in: others’ opinions of me, academics, and athletics. These things satisfied me temporarily, but never satisfied my deepest longing.

When I got to college, I practiced my faith on my own terms—praying when I needed something and going to Sunday Mass only when I felt like it. Even as a child, prayer and Mass often felt like I was just going through the motions. They never held personal meaning for me.

In my second year at the University of Northern Colorado, I met a missionary named Olivia, who was helping run a golf tournament for our campus ministry. She invited me to her Bible study, took me out for coffee, invited me to help one of her teammates move in, celebrated my birthday at Bible study, and even shared her morning stretching routine with me—which we would do together. I loved being friends with her! Eventually, I joined one of her discipleship groups, began praying holy hours with the FOCUS team, attended daily Mass, and returned to the Sacraments.

The Chapel where I fell in love with Jesus!

Olivia and I at the golf tournament where we met!

By living out the four habits of a disciple (Acts 2:42), not only was the deepest desire of my heart being fulfilled, but it was overflowing! It finally clicked that from the start of existence, God has made me His daughter. Even though I wasn’t present in my relationship with Him, He was always present to me. That realization transformed my beliefs about who I was and the purpose of my life. My actions began to reflect that truth, and I experienced more freedom and joy than I ever had—and I continue to!

It’s because of the Holy Spirit and the presence of Jesus in the FOCUS missionary who discipled me that I now have a relationship with Him. She, along with many other amazing men and women close to my age, modeled for me what it means to follow Jesus. Following Jesus has led me to so many wonderful things—one of them being on mission through FOCUS!

“My life is worthless”

“No one loves me”

“I’m all alone”

These are just a few of the thoughts that college students experience every day—and perhaps these thoughts aren’t unfamiliar to us either. All of us, especially college students in this crucial season of life, are asking the same questions: “What is the purpose of my life?” and “What was I made for?” We were made for a relationship with God from the start of eternity.

“I chose you when I planned creation.” (Ephesians 1:11)

But it’s not enough to simply know about God—we’re invited to truly know Him. If we truly knew who God is, our loving and merciful Father, the purpose of our lives, and what we all are made for, it would not only make sense, but would bring us no other joy or freedom than anything or anyone else can.

This is where you guys come in. The greatest gift that we could ever receive is knowing that we were made for something more—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.

This is a gift that you can give by joining me on a mission with FOCUS. One life transformed can impact relationships, families, parishes, businesses—entire communities. The college students today are our future. They desire something more. I want to accompany these students and help them to know that this fulfillment can only be found in a relationship with God.

If you are interested in joining this mission, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I would be honored and delighted to share this mission with you!