Welcome to my support page! My name is Lilly Carlson and I am honored to be serving as a FOCUS Greek missionary at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Roll Wave!

Growing up Catholic I knew on paper what was ‘expected’ of me, the guidelines to live by, and just went through the motions. From joining Life Teen and getting involved at my Catholic private high school when I moved from Arizona to Utah my junior year, I realized I was becoming a master at the ‘good Catholic’ exterior persona. When I arrived at The University of Texas at Austin, I quickly only prioritized academics, sorority life, and social activities over a relationship with God. I would pass by the Catholic center, head down and avoiding eye contact with what I knew was calling me from the inside. Junior year, I reluctantly joined a Bible study per my mom and sister’s request (and that the study so happened to be right after chapter at my sorority house where I lived). I became a regular attendee at Bible study and mass and the exterior persona was perfected again. That year, my mom and sister informed me that a five day Catholic conference called SEEK would be happening coincidentally in our backyard, Salt Lake City, and that we were all going! (You’ve got to be kidding me).

However, while I was there, I encountered Christ in a deeply personal way through the talks, confession, and especially Eucharistic Adoration, realizing for the first time that God truly loved me and desired a relationship with me. For the first time, my interior softened and I felt my soul come alive. SEEK provided a unique opportunity to witness thousands of college students become enamored with the Lord and leave eager to grow in their faith. Likewise, I then went on to join discipleship, lead a Bible study, and then commission my own disciples. Where I found my own faith continuing to deepen as I watched these women that I adore, come to know Christ’s heart fully.

As I continue my walk with the Lord, I feel called to serve as a FOCUS missionary and reach the souls of women waiting to be set ablaze with Christ’s love.

“Some people give to the missions by going, others go to the missions by giving. Without both, there are no missions.” – St. John Paul II

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. Thank you for considering joining me in the mission of sharing the Gospel with students. Your support, both financial and prayerful, will impact the lives of countless students who are seeking to understand who they are and what they believe at this pivotal time in their lives. Through your generosity, I will be able to encounter these students with Truth, the Truth that is Jesus Christ Himself. 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.