We encounter God in an intimate relationship through daily prayer, the sacraments and the Scriptures.
Hey! My name’s Rachel. I’m a FOCUS missionary.
“Woe to me if I should prove myself but a halfhearted soldier in the service of my thorn crowned Captain.” – St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen
The Lord has invited me to serve students and my teammates as team director at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA! Go mountain hawks!
After two years on campus at the University of Maine, I am excited to share the Gospel with students and form my teammates at a campus brand new to FOCUS!
Just as He replied to His disciples in the Gospel of John, Jesus has continually invited me to come and see. This was an open invitation to receive His love, realize my identity as His daughter, and be sent on the mission He has entrusted to me to share the Gospel.
Entering college at Grand Valley State University in Michigan, I thought clocking in my one hour on Sunday was enough. But the Lord placed friends and missionaries in my path who encouraged me to go deeper. These opportunities came through participation in our Catholic student ministry, a Bible study, and SEEK19 in Indianapolis. The Catholic Church was no longer ancient and inactive, but vibrant and fully alive. The depth of Christ’s love is reflected in His Church and continues to transform my heart.
During my junior year, I went on a mission trip to an Indian Reservation of the Zuni tribe in New Mexico. We taught students the Gospel at a Catholic school. I saw my younger self in these middle schoolers who didn’t understand why they participated in Mass or know Jesus desires a personal relationship with them. Through intentional conversations with one of the missionaries, I learned more about the importance of mission. Upon returning to campus with a zeal for souls, my friend began to teach me what it meant to live out my faith. It was the beginning of Christ instilling a missionary heart in me. I not only wanted to learn more about Him, but make Him known to others.
My deepest desire is for students to know the life-changing truth of the Gospel. Jesus Christ died and rose for them, and now calls them to a relationship with Himself. This good news was the cause of death for martyrs and drastically changes our way of life if we choose to accept it. Once we experience Christ who is love Himself, we recognize the urgency of mission.
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.