Simon Neta

Hello! My name is Simon. I’m a Team Director at California State University Stanislaus!

Where I serve

The world is crying for connection and does not know it.  The abandonment of our unitive identity of our nation, our families, and ultimately from God is a great tragedy.  Unfortunately, the world tries to offer solutions that it cannot provide. On college campus, these questions are most divisive.  It is where many young people like me in four short years make consequential decisions effecting their entire life. Hence the urgency of my mission.

God has called me to serve as a collegiate missionary at San Francisco State University. In tandem with the student club and St. Stevens Parish, there is great opportunity for evangelization. As a missionary, I serve to open the space for God s work in a place so quickly covered with things that do not satisfy. You could find me at the university caf , in the quad, on the beach encountering young adults in authentic friendship. In a culture of transaction, the witness of a free gift of self is what is needed to share God s love. With this understanding I hope to be a unitive witness to those I encounter.

My Story

The words of Jesus great commission Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them, teaching them to observe all I commanded you (Mt 28:19-20), took many years to resonate my heart for mission.

My journey with Jesus and mission started back in middle school.  I had the privilege to attend the March for Life in Washington D.C. and two service trips to New York and Michigan with a youth group from St. Bernard Parish in Green Bay. The witness of the pastor and group leaders initiated true curiosity in faith. I saw joy and confidence the world of money and prestige could not match. Although I was inspired, I did not know how I could live like them. There was something that I had not yet understood. This sentiment stuck with me to college.

Attracted to the order of truth in an adventurous field, I chose to study petroleum engineering. While at the University of North Dakota I continued to attend Sunday mass at the Newman Center. Here I met FOCUS missionaries. Again, I saw the same conviction and joy from middle school. They invested personal time to open an interior space for a relationship with God. Finding my identity as His son in prayer softened my stony heart. As my heart opened to God, so also to others, until I was leading Bible studies and personally investing in others too.

God s goodness propelled me to mission with FOCUS. What a gift!

The Gospel is for the heart of all of humanity. It is a privilege to set aside a lucrative career to be a witness to what is eternal. California may seem quite a change up from the upper Midwest of Wisconsin and North Dakota. Fortunately, the fundamentals of the Gospel are never changing but always new to each heart. I am excited to allow God to complete the work He has started.

Your Impact

With your spiritual and financial support in a true partnership, the goodness of the Gospel will multiply. As a FOCUS missionary, I rely completely on the generosity of supporters like you to invest in the good work of evangelization. By the assurance of God, we will reach this generation. Please email or call to join me on the mission to make disciples of all nations.

Find other missionaries

FOCUS brings the joy of the Gospel to colleges and parishes across the United States (and beyond)!
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Know, Love and Serve God

We encounter God in an intimate relationship through daily prayer, the sacraments and the Scriptures.

FOCUS Find A Missionary Build Virtuous Friendships Together

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.

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