Samuel Rhodes

Hi, I’m Sam and I’m a FOCUS Missionary.

Thanks for visiting my page!

“Fight to the death for truth, and the Lord God will fight for you” Sirach 4:28

Where I serve

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I am blessed to enter a role with FOCUS as a student and missionary at the University of Louisville until I graduate in December 2026. After that I will be sent to any campus that needs a new missionary. In my time as a student I have served as a student leader in our Campus Ministry and our Students For Life Chapter. As a Missionary I get to continue to lead Bible Studies, Small Group formation, and Praise and Worship for our Campus Ministry!

My Story

My story starts in the small town of Whitesville, Kentucky as the youngest of 9 kids to my wonderful parents Monica and Russell Rhodes. From a young age I was raised to cherish my relationship with Christ and His Church through active participation in Summer Bible School, Youth group, and, most especially, Gasper River Catholic Youth Camp. Gasper is the biggest moment where my faith went from my family’s to becoming my own. In the Summer of 2021 I began volunteering at Gasper and came to realize that pursuing a “life with Christ is a wonderful adventure” as St. JPII says. Not only that, but I got to witness what it looked like to be a young person pursuing a life of virtue. I would go on to make some of my best friends in my whole life during my time at Gasper and I would learn of a passion and skill for witnessing the beauty of the Gospel. I would continue to volunteer at gasper for the next year and then work as a summer staff in ’23, ’24, and ’25.

IMG 1394.jpg — 2023 (Caroline, Sakura, Landon, Sam)

After graduating high school I knew that I wanted to find and continue to grow in relationship with Christ and find others who want the same thing so I felt right at home with UofL Catholic. After some time I would begin to join a FOCUS bible study and small group formation. I would be continuously invited deeper and deeper into mission by my friend and missionary Justin. Eventually he would invite me to apply to join FOCUS and, upon interviewing, I accepted an offer to be a December-Grad Student missionary.

1000002183 — 2025 UofL Catholic Hog Roast (Justin and Sam)

Your Impact

Upon answering the call to join FOCUS, I have been blessed with the opportunity to rely exclusively on the spiritual and financial support of mission partners to help me through this mission. I am currently looking for those mission partners in order to give my all to my students, campus, and team.

“Some people give to the missions by going, others go to the missions by giving. Without both, there are no missions.” -St. Pope John Paul II

If you are interested in joining me financially, please let me know of the best way to reach you, and we can schedule an appointment. I’d love the opportunity to share with you the beauty of Mission and how you can become a part of it!

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