Sarah Bissell

“The future starts today, not tomorrow,”

-St. John Paul II

Hey, I’m Sarah! And I’m a second-year FOCUS Missionary!

Where I serve

The Lord has called me to Birmingham, Alabama! And I said “YES!” There I get the privilege to serve the students at the University of Alabama Birmingham/Samford University!

Team UAB/Samford: Madi and Michael, Kevin, Emily, Connor and his wife Katie

My Story

I grew up cradle catholic, was always involved in my faith, and looked for a catholic community when choosing a college; but I had no idea what an impact my friends at NSU Catholic would have on my life. I met FOCUS missionaries and student leaders that showed me authentic friendship and how to live out a deeply personal relationship with Jesus. They invited me to bible studies, national conferences, and mission trips, constantly challenging me to step out of my comfort zone. They empowered me with confidence to reach out to and lead other students in the faith!

NSU Catholic at Holy Cross, Natchitoches, LA

I graduated from Northwestern State LA with a degree in Sacred Music and moved to Birmingham where I have the opportunity to answer the call to discipleship and evangelization in a radical way! This next generation of college students are the future doctors, lawyers, teachers of our world and leaders of our church. It is such a gift to play a small part and see how God is moving in their lives!

Students of Birmingham Catholic

Your Impact

I cannot do this mission without you!

I would like to invite you to prayerfully consider where is the Lord calling you? Who is He asking you to love? Does it feel radical or outside your comfort zone? Are you willing to say “yes?”

It is because of generous mission partners like you that I am able to continue to “say yes” to living and working with the students in Birmingham, AL as a full-time missionary!

Some go to give, others give to go. I would love for you to prayerfully consider joining me in partnership on this mission through your prayers and financial support. Together we can help fulfill the Great Commission of making disciples of all nations!

I would love to schedule an appointment to hear your experience and share more about these students and this mission! Please email me at [email protected]! Can’t wait to talk to you soon! Thank you for your “yes!” to the Lord (whatever it may be)!

SUPPORT Sarah

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