We encounter God in an intimate relationship through daily prayer, the sacraments and the Scriptures.
I have the honor and privilege to serve at Valparaiso University in Indiana! I am excited to start my first year with a great team and the love of God and his mission for me!
Growing up Catholic, I thought I understood what that meant. I went to Sunday Mass, waited for my parents to finish talking to everyone, and then either went home to nap or out for brunch. My parents found deep joy in their faith, so I followed their lead—not out of conviction, but because I wanted to make them happy.
When COVID-19 hit during my first semester of college, everything shut down—classes, restaurants, sports, and even Mass. It gave me an easy excuse to stop going to church, and without even realizing it, I lost a big part of myself.
But the Lord never stopped pursuing me.
Toward the end of my sophomore year, a friend invited me to a non-denominational church service. I figured it couldn’t hurt—it had been a while since I’d been to any church, and I knew I needed something. That night, back in my dorm, I felt a deep yearning to know Christ more. I couldn’t explain it—I just felt this strong pull home. I made plans to visit the St. Stephen Catholic Student Center, and what started as a visit quickly became a home.
The two years I spent at St. Stephen’s changed my life. I learned how to pray, how to serve, and how to truly belong. And the more I said “yes” to God, the more fruit I saw in my life.
This year, I’m giving my biggest “yes” yet: I’ve accepted the call to become a missionary. It’s a new and exciting chapter, and I’m ready to “go and make disciples” (Mt 28:19), to know Jesus Christ, and to help fulfill His great commission.
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.
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.