Rafael Avila Jr

Rafael Avila Jr.

Where I serve

This Year I am serving at Elmhurst University (Elmhurst, IL) & North Central College (Naperville, IL) with FOCUS as a BOSCO missionary. Let me tell you that I am fired up!

I’m looking forward to walking with students in authentic friendship, helping them build their relationship with Jesus personally. I’m very excited to see how God will work on campus this year and I’m grateful to be one of the instruments He uses to be apart of His mission!

20260627 160844 3236E9 — Naperville Team

My Story

From small town Perry, Iowa to answering a high call – I’m a cradle Catholic. I’ve known the faith my whole life. As a family, we would go to mass weekly and pray the rosary daily. I knew who God was in my head, but never who He was in my heart. Becoming a freshman at the University of Northern Iowa, I had no real intention of continuing my faith life, and it was easy to choose so.

By the end of my sophomore year – I had transferred schools three times and switched my major twice. I was “loving” the college experience, but my life had no direction. I was struggling, depressed, and in a bad spot.

Finding myself back at UNI, Thru the invitations of friends & FOCUS missionaries, I started going to mass and joined a bible study

This led to daily prayer and more frequent reception of the sacraments. Eventually I was going on retreats, mission trips, and by the time of my Senior year I was running a bible study and challenging my boys to do the same.

UNI friends – Me (Missionary), Ryan (Engaged), & Luke (Seminarian)

Your Impact

We are all called to be a part of God’s mission in our daily lives. Whether it’s at home, work, or the local community, we are called to love and serve others.

I cannot do this mission alone. It is through your spiritual and financial support through mission partners like you that souls are being reached, transformed and loved.

With more 60% of high school graduates attending college after graduation, there are so many students on campus trying to find their purpose during these four years, and the world doesn’t make it easy. It’s full of vices, hurt, and addictions.

As FOCUS missionaries we meet students where they’re at. They discover Christ through encounters. Whether we’re at a bible study, discipleship, retreats, mass, or simply sharing our lives with them, they are finding the Love of Christ.

If you are interested on learning about how you can join me on mission, I’d love to talk to you!

You can reach me at [email protected] or 515-410-5716

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)!

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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