We encounter God in an intimate relationship through daily prayer, the sacraments and the Scriptures.
“if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14
Hello! My name is Matthew and I’m a FOCUS missionary!
I will be entering into my Fourth Year on Mission as Team Director at The University of Alabama in Huntsville! I am beyond excited to see how God continues to work in the souls of the Chargers, please keep our campus and ministry in your prayers 🙂
The Team (Cody, Erin, Lillie, and Myself)
Despite having grown up Catholic and attending Sunday Mass all my life, it was not until High School did I begin to question why I attend and professed the Catholic beliefs. As Confirmation time came around, I knew I was lost. My heart had been pierced empty as personal struggles in High School grew, and so I clung to the classes and began altar serving. As I studied the teachings of the Church I was affirmed in the Truth that She has taught the world for generations… however, I still lacked a relationship with the person of Jesus Christ.
As I continued into college the worldly struggles continued to grow, quickly finding myself into the typical college lifestyle. After a difficult freshman year of filling myself with what I thought to be appeasing, He led me to the Catholic Campus Ministry at NC State. I began to attend Mass there and joined my first bible study, it was from this point God began slowly working in my heart. Knowing that I wanted to be a part of this beautiful community of young striving men and women, I threw myself into a leadership position. It was the Fall of my Sophomore year that I finally experienced Christ at Wolfpack Awakening 7, going to Confession contritely and experiencing Eucharistic Adoration for the first time in my life.
It was in the latter half of my college experience that I truly began to know and understand the beauty of our relationship with the Lord. Having once felt like an outcast, I made it my mission as a ministry leader to never let any other student ever feel rejected or neglected from the love He has to offer. I grew in my role as head of Liturgy and Retreat, but it was quickly cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, while the world found itself in a stand still I found myself growing more than ever before. It was the St. Joseph Consecration that healed many wounds from my past, learning what it meant to live out an authentic Catholic manhood. I knew there was so much more to this journey of faith and made the decision to work at St. John’s Summer Program over the summer. It was in this summer I found a deeper growth in my relationship with Him. Realizing that when God willing I enter Heaven, I wish to be able to say to Him that I did everything I could to bring souls back to Him. Thus, my zeal for evangelizing souls began.
Coming back into my senior year I was on fire with the Spirit and poured it all out to the ministry. It was at this same time that our Campus brought in FOCUS missionaries for the first time, I immediately fell in love with them and their mission. It was their way of life, the Spirit that radiated from them and the way they loved souls so deeply; I knew that was the type of life I wanted to live. This call led me to where I am today and I am beyond blessed to have this opportunity to serve the Church in this mission to bring others to Christ!
I spent my first two years of Mission serving at Coastal Carolina University and this past year at East Carolina University. Check out some pictures below:
1st Year at Coastal Carolina University: The Team (Erin, Gabrielle, Me, Adam). SEEK 22 Conference held in Columbia, SC with nearly 250 students in attendance.
2nd Year at Coastal Carolina University: The Team (Me, Matthew, Prebble, Gabrielle). Easter Vigil in which three students entered the Church!
3rd Year at East Carolina University: The Team (Me, Jess, Abbie, Sabrina and Duke). Eucharistic Adoration on Spring Mission Trip to Guyana.
When I answered the call to join FOCUS, I made the decision to rely completely on the spiritual and financial monthly support of mission partners in order to serve on campus. In this opportunity of Mission Partner Development (MPD) I not only rely completely on the generosity of my partners, but it opens an opportunity for me as a missionary to serve you! As you, a mission partner, invests in me in order that I serve the students of Huntsville. I want to be able to invest in you as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, in order for you to invest in the souls He has brought specifically into your life! 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.
Cell: (919) 333-2930
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.