Mary Sarife

My name is Mary Sarife and I am a FOCUS missionary at The University of Southern California.

Where I serve

I am blessed to be a third-year missionary at The University of Southern California!

My Story

As a freshman film major at the University of Texas at Austin (Hook ’em), I never imagined I would be a missionary: I wanted to be a screenwriter and director! I searched for a place of belonging in my sorority, my major, and the greater Christian community at UT. I made friends by throwing myself into a million bible studies and organizations. After freshman year, I wondered how I could have many friends but still feel alone and lost.

A wise priest once told me, “Mary, you let people know a lot about you, but you don’t let anyone know you.” He was right. No one actually knew me because I believed lies about my identity: I am what I do, produce, say, and feel. As I identified with my actions, I identified with my sins and fell into shame.

I was at a silent retreat, Junior year, sitting in the chapel, telling God, “Nothing you ever say is personal.” All of a sudden, a chapter comes to mind. Isaiah 43. “I don’t think I’ve read that before. What are the odds it will mean something to me?” The first verse says, “Do not fear, for I have REDEEMED you; I have called you BY NAME, you are MINE.” This chapter impacted me in numerous ways, but I will share two main points:

God knows and loves me personally. The Bible is a love letter written for me.
My identity is that I am God’s beloved daughter. That’s it. I am not my past.

My missionary at the time, Kallin, taught me that my identity is exclusively in my daughterhood. I am made by love, out of love, for love. My identity is not in being a bad friend, bad student, bad sister, or bad Christian, but a GOOD daughter.

I led a bible study for women in sororities, so I could do what Kallin did for me – be an authentic friend and bring Greek women to Christ. Mother Teresa explains, “Until you know deep inside that Jesus thirsts for you you can’t begin to know who He wants to be for you. Or who He wants you to be for Him.” Jesus’ thirst on the cross was not just for a drink; it was a thirst for His beloved. I said “yes!” to God’s calling to be a missionary because I long for others to know they belong with the Father who longs to know them intimately.

Your Impact

When I answered the call to join FOCUS, I made the decision to rely on the spiritual and monthly financial support of mission partners to help me through this mission. I have 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 the best way to reach you and I will schedule an appointment. I would be honored to share this mission with you.

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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