We encounter God in an intimate relationship through daily prayer, the sacraments and the Scriptures.
I am serving as the team director at the University of Oregon! Sko Ducks!!
From the start of my freshman year of college I wanted very little to do with Jesus and His Church. I sought my identity in my sport (running XC and track at UC Santa Barbara), as well as what others thought of me, and living life for my next accomplishment that would bring me happiness. I looked for this lasting happiness everywhere the world told me I would find it, and was always left unfulfilled. I attended mass on Sundays for the first time in my life in a desperate attempt to possibly find something more. It was there I met a FOCUS missionary that I developed a friendship with. She invited me on a FOCUS Varsity Catholic mission trip to Belize, where I had an encounter with the one true God. I was surrounded by other students and missionaries striving for a life of virtue and holiness for the first time in my life. I saw they all had something that I didn’t have; a relationship with Jesus. I recognized that I had never tried to let God become my source of happiness and fulfillment and for the first time I wanted to let Him in, and know who He truly is.
Building my relationship with the Lord was a gradual journey and did not happen over night. Returning to campus my junior year I was discipled by another missionary who walked with me in understanding my faith, building my prayer life, and sparking my desire to share my faith with others. The desires for my life had completely changed and I couldn’t help but want to share this gift of faith with other students. I recognized that if the Lord had pursued me and called me into a relationship with Him, there was no child of His He didn’t want to experience His abundant love. I felt the call to continue to live out the Great Commission that Jesus invites all of His disciples into in Matthew 28: 16-20 by saying “yes” to FOCUS!
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.
If you have any questions or need help setting up your gift, please contact us at [email protected].
We encounter God in an intimate relationship through daily prayer, the sacraments and the Scriptures.
By building genuine friendships, we meet students on a deeper level.
We teach students how to share the gospel, who in turn teach other students how to pass it on.