Matthew Morrow

Hey! My name’s Matthew. I’m in my fifth year as a FOCUS missionary.

Where I serve

I serve at the University of Düsseldorf in Düsseldorf, Germany as the team director. I’m in my third year in this role in Düsseldorf and am excited to see all that the Lord has in store!

My Story

“For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, ‘Abba, Father!'”

-Rom 8:15

As I have grown in the faith, I have learned to see God more as Father rather than simply as law giver. I have always known that serving the Lord was good and I have never doubted that my life needed to lived according to what the Church teaches. I could argue almost any moral position, I could tell you many things about the mass and its history, I could explain why all other religions weren’t correct, but what I couldn’t tell you was more important.

I couldn’t tell you how God was impacting my heart, I couldn’t tell you what God’s fatherhood looked like in my life, I couldn’t tell you why I kept sinning even when I knew intellectually it was not right, I couldn’t tell you why God’s mercy is unfathomable. In fact I couldn’t tell you anything which concerned the heart.

This did not stop the Lord from working in my life though because when one is faithful to the sacraments and desires to grow, how could the Lord not enter in? His grace was being added into my life mysteriously and secretly. He used every small opportunity to work in my life.

In high school I knew enough to pray and ask for the Lord’s guidance in making the decision on where to go to college. Thankfully, He made it rather obvious! Many signs and coincidences pointed me toward the University of Idaho and toward deeper conversion. It was there that I began down the road that eventually led me to being a FOCUS missionary and not only that, but a FOCUS missionary in another country! Thanks to the many wonderful mentors and people I met there, the faith began to be much more than a set of rules to be followed and much more a great adventure.

My very last semester though was one of the most impactful, I decided to do Exodus 90 because of the persistence of the FOCUS missionary leading me in discipleship, Andrew Graupmann. During those 90 days I prayed a daily holy hour for the first time in my life and I let go of many of the distractions of the world. I was gaining a happy and joyous freedom I had never known. I was realizing how focused I always was on me and my own needs rather than on others. I was realizing just how insecure I was and how pride and vanity kept me from living in reality. FOCUS was having their recruitment weekend during this time as well and praise the Lord I said yes to attending.

I was challenged during this interview, “what if you had done more for the mission of evangelization?” I had no answer, but I wanted to see what a life given to evangelization could look like. After much prayer, I decided on becoming a FOCUS missionary and the Lord has blessed that decision greatly over the course of 2 years. I never thought it was possible that I could one day become a saint, but I think its possible now. The Lord has already given us everything we need, we just need to accept it again and again, day after day.

After two years serving at Colorado State University, the Lord called me to abandon myself to Him more by moving to Europe to serve in Germany. I did not want to be like the rich young man who went away sad because of his many attachments, but rather I wanted to go, give up my attachments and follow the Lord. This was a chance to deny the Lord nothing and He was prompting me to take the jump. I have already seen my heart changing from this decision and I’m excited for what the Lord will continue to do in my heart!

Your Impact

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.

Find other missionaries

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

FOCUS Find A Missionary Build Virtuous Friendships Together

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.

Give
CLOSE
EXPERIENCE KEYNOTES AND TALKS FROM SEEK24 FOR FREE ON SEEK REPLAY. SIGN UP NOW!
This is default text for notification bar