Rebecca McCartney

“Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.”

John 17:3

Where I serve

My name is Rebecca and I am the Team Director at Western Kentucky University located in Bowling, Green Kentucky. Go Hilltoppers! Here is our 2025-2026 FOCUS team at WKU.

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Left to right: Juliette, Daniel, Rebecca, Raphael

My Story

I graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a bachelor’s degree in Emergency and Disaster Management. My original plan was to become a first responder—someone who could use their training to save lives and serve those in crisis. I’ve always been drawn to a life of service, and I longed for a career that would both challenge and inspire me. With that in mind, I began college full of hope and excitement about the future.

But early on, I found myself swept into the party scene. Despite the appearance of fun, I felt deeply empty—more than I had ever experienced before.

One night, I came across an announcement from the Newman Catholic Center about a Mass being held on campus, followed by confession and adoration. I knew something was missing from my life, and I felt a strong pull to go to confession. That night, I had a profound encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist. After receiving His mercy and forgiveness, a peace washed over me that filled every empty corner of my heart. I knew I had found what I had been missing.

But that was just the beginning.

Living as a Catholic on a college campus wasn’t easy, and I needed guidance. Through the incredible patience and persistence of the FOCUS missionaries at Northwest, I discovered what true friendship looked like. I slowly began to trust them and allowed them to walk with me in my pursuit of virtue. I found myself surrounded by people who genuinely cared about my soul and who were eager to journey with me toward heaven.

Through their invitations, I joined a Bible study—and I fell in love with the Catholic faith. My life was radically transformed. I was joyful, fulfilled, and the happiest I had ever been. I was excelling in my program and loved working with those in need. But as graduation approached, something deeper stirred in my heart. I realized that as important as physical needs are, the soul is eternal. I couldn’t ignore the desire to help other college students discover that not only does God exist—He knows them personally and loves them deeply.

I had entered college believing the lie that living my Catholic faith would leave me isolated and unfulfilled. The truth was just the opposite. When I look back on those years, my memories are filled with joy, laughter, and deep, authentic friendships. Now, I have the privilege of being on the other side—serving as a FOCUS missionary and helping students at WKU encounter the same transformative love that changed my life.

After four years as a missionary, I am continually humbled by how God has used my “yes” to deepen my own growth and sanctification. And honestly—I really, really love my job. FOCUS has played such a meaningful role in my story, and it’s an honor to now be part of this incredible mission.

Your Impact

When I answered the call to join FOCUS, I accepted the task to rely on the spiritual and financial support of mission partners to help me get to campus. I’ve been blessed with the most amazing people who have journeyed with me in serving. 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.

It is Jesus that you seek when you dream of happiness; He is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you; He is the beauty to which you are so attracted; it is He who provoked you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise; it is He who urges you to shed the masks of a false life; it is He who reads in your heart your most genuine choices, the choices that others try to stifle.

It is Jesus who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives, the will to follow an ideal, the refusal to allow yourselves to be ground down by mediocrity, the courage to commit yourselves humbly and patiently to improving yourselves and society, making the world more human and more fraternal.

 Pope John Paul II

Give Now

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

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