Ryan DeBenedetto

Ryan Debenedetto

Hi! My name is Ryan, and I am a FOCUS missionary!

Where I serve

This year, I am serving at the University of Nebraska-Omaha! Go mavs! I am incredibly excited and honored to walk with the men there and share the joy of the gospel with them!

My Story

Being born and raised Catholic but never really diving into my faith, I knew of Jesus but I never truly knew Him. This lack of relationship with God continued into my time at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I quickly fell into that stereotypical college lifestyle where I was focused on things from this world, and not on what really matters.

That changed junior year of college when I began to consistently attend Bible study. Through the grace of God, I had this desire to take a small step and continually show up to Mass and Bible study. As it turns out, taking small steps can often lead to dramatic change in our lives! I began to understand that Jesus truly presents himself in the Eucharist each Mass, and that has meant everything to me. Having that opportunity to be with Jesus on a daily basis, along with the great love that other FOCUS missionaries have shown me, is why I decided to become a missionary myself!

Ever since I’ve encountered this love with the Eucharist and with other FOCUS missionaries, my life has changed and I’ve known I wanted to help others. To be able to help those who were once in my position of being lost in college is such a spectacular opportunity. Even if I only ever help one person along their journey, that would be a huge success. There are many students out there who have nowhere to go, and I would love nothing more to show them the great love that Jesus has for them.

Your Impact

When I answered the call to join FOCUS, I ultimately made the decision to trust in spiritual and financial partners as I go along this journey. I am incredibly excited to completely and virtuously love these men on campus so that their lives may change. I would love to talk with you about this mission and potentially become mission partners! If you are interested, please reach out to me and we can set up an appointment!

[email protected]

952-242-4649

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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