Matthew Means

Hi! My Name is Matthew, and I am a FOCUS Missionary!

Be who you are, and be that well

– St. Francis de Sales

SUPPORT Matthew

Where I serve

I am excited to share that The Lord is sending me to The George Washington University in Washington, D.C!

My Team! (As seen left to right: Me, Gabriel, Tessa, Felicity)

My Story

I have been Catholic my whole life, and the faith has been an important aspect within my family. But during high school, I lacked a proper relationship with Christ, which carried into my college life. This distance hurt me in ways I was never aware of. I felt that I was living a life that had no fulfillment within. I didn’t know my true identity.

I would still attend Mass at my Newman Center at the University of Nevada, Reno, but the communication with Christ was subpar.

It wasn’t until I met a FOCUS Missionary who truly invested in me in Reno, when I started to see scripture with clarity by attending my first Bible study, that I realized God the Father desires us to abide in His love. After some time walking with this missionary, I attended my first SEEK Conference in 2024 in St. Louis. This changed everything for me. For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel like I was alone in my faith anymore. Thousands of college students coming together for Christ in a football stadium!

During this conference, I felt loved and seen in the presence of the Eucharist during Adoration, knowing with confidence that He is truly present and how He wants us to recognize that.

After this life-changing conversion, I felt the desire to grow more in my relationship with Christ. Attending daily Mass, Adoration, mission trips, and learning how to share the Gospel by leading a Bible Study.

Through these small opportunities, I recognized the importance of giving more of myself for the sake of others. This became more recognizable during the mission trips where me and other students did homeless outreach in Denver Colorado in 2024, and construction work for the people of Rio Grande in Costa Rica in 2025.

After 2 years of hearing the call to drop everything and follow Christ in His Great Commission, I said yes and applied for FOCUS to become a missionary! Knowing that His love needed to be shared with as many college students as possible, to help remind them of their identity, and building authentic friendships with them.

Your Impact

When I said yes to FOCUS, I put my trust in God’s plan entirely by agreeing to fundraising 100% of my salary, which not only goes towards my living expenses, but also goes back towards the students I will reach.

Whether it’s buying a student lunch, or covering the cost for a mission trip or a conference, it’s about being there for the students in any way possible.

With YOUR help, we can work together by sharing the Gospel with the students in the DMV. Through prayers and financial support, this goal can be set!

Let’s share Christ’s name together! Will you walk with me?

Give Now

If you have any questions or need help setting up your gift, please contact us at [email protected].

Find other missionaries

FOCUS brings the joy of the Gospel to colleges and parishes across the United States (and beyond)!

GET STARTED

FOCUS Find A Missionary Know Love Serve God Monstrance

Know, Love and Serve God

We encounter God in an intimate relationship through daily prayer, the sacraments and the Scriptures.

Build Virtuous Friendships

By building genuine friendships, we meet students on a deeper level.

FOCUS Find A Missionary Teach Others Share Christ Smiling

Teach Others to Share Christ

We teach students how to share the gospel, who in turn teach other students how to pass it on.

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