For our first year with FOCUS, God has called us to serve at MTSU (Middle Tennessee State University) in Murfreesboro, Tennessee! I Am True Blue, Go Blue Raiders!

Julian Rodriguez: I am from Edmond, Oklahoma, where I had an amazing childhood. Growing up, I was in and out of my faith, and it wasn’t until high school that I got more involved. The turning point of my life was when I attended the Steubenville conference, where I first encountered Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. From there, there was no denying His existence and my desire to grow a deeper relationship with him. College rolled around, and I began my career at the University of Oklahoma. I quickly got caught up in what the world had to offer and slowly drifted away from my faith. At this point, I was partying and living a life rooted in the world. I then went to a FOCUS conference called SEEK, where I encountered Jesus once again in the Blessed Sacrament.

My journey back to the church slowly began there! It was through the help of a FOCUS missionary and some incredible friends that I began my journey back to Christ. That summer, I had the opportunity to participate in one of FOCUS‘ programs called Summer Projects. My first summer, I was formed by working on a resort and attending classes on the faith, as well as experiencing mass, adoration, and great community every day in Michigan. During my second summer at Summer Projects, I was a student director leading students through the same experience, just as it was on the first one, but this time in California. It was this summer that led to my discernment of becoming a missionary. Through that process, I felt a strong call that the Lord wanted me to be a missionary on a college campus, to make an impact on so many other students. The exact same way that a missionary had truly invested in me.

It was through this amazing encounter with Jesus and walking with Him that I was able to meet my soon-to-be bride, who will also be joining me on mission this next year!

Brittney Tran: It is my greatest joy to join Julian on this incredible mission that has too made a lasting impact on my life. I was blessed to have grown up in the church and have the Catholic Church be the center of my life for a multitude of years. However, it wasn’t until I got to Oklahoma State University that I began to ask myself if I truly even had a relationship with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It was through the invitation to join a FOCUS bible study and SEEK that I slowly began to desire this deep and intimate relationship with our Lord. During my final summer before senior year, I decided to take on my missionary’s invitation to Summer Project. That summer, I built a foundation for my life where my relationship with Christ was the center of it all! With nothing in my way and my focus completely on Christ, I went into my last year of college on fire and ready to lead bible studies and walk with others in faith! It is now my greatest honor to walk alongside Julian in our pursuit of Heaven and souls!

We both joined FOCUS, eager and excited to share the Gospel but also share our vocation with those around us. It truly is a blessing to be on a mission together, and we can’t wait to see all that the Lord has in store for us. We have also truly seen how we will be truly relying spiritually and financially on the Lord through the aid of you, all our mission partners! So, in the same way the Lord has called us to proclaim His name, He too is inviting you in a unique way to deepen others’ faith and trust!

If you would like to hear more, please let us know the best way to contact you to set up an appointment by clicking the little email or phone icon underneath our photo, and we can’t wait to share this mission with you!