Sophie Zell

Hey! My name is Sophie. Jesus changed my life in college, and now I want every college student to know Him!

“Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything.” – Pope Benedict XVI

Where I serve

The Lord has generously called me to serve the students at Indiana University! I am so grateful to be on mission in Bloomington. Go Hoosiers!

Team Indiana University 24-25 — Team Indiana University 2024-25!

My Story

Throughout high school and early in my college experience, engaging with my faith was merely a fun activity, no more than an add-on to my already hurried daily schedule. I was a “successful” student, with good grades, competitive leadership opportunities, and a popular sorority, but it all lost value when my freshman year ended abruptly in the spring of 2020.

Up against hopelessness and fear, Jesus entered into this small place of need in my heart and revealed my insatiable thirst for one thing that couldn’t be earned by perfectionism, one thing that I already possessed as a free gift: a personal relationship with Him.

This reversion continued as a missionary on my campus encouraged me to participate in daily prayer, more frequent sacraments and perhaps most importantly, the opportunity to invite other women at Mizzou into a life of freedom, fellowship and faithfulness, just like she did for me.

Above are Clare and Erin, two women that I walked with in my time at Mizzou, who are now missionaries with FOCUS alongside me!

And the best part of my experience is this: my ‘yes’ was not just a one-word response as a sophomore in college. It has become a ‘yes’ every day to the conversion that Christ wants to continue in my heart, drawing me closer to Himself. This ‘yes’ led to mission trips, FOCUS’ Summer Projects, helping my disciples make disciples of their own, and ultimately following the invitation from the Lord to serve as a missionary with FOCUS. My experience in college deeply convicted me of the necessity of missionaries on the college campus, and I can’t wait to continue this impactful mission in Bloomington.

Your Impact

One of the beautiful things about mission is that no one can do it alone. God does not need our help, but He desires to bring us closer to Him through mission, together.

When I joined FOCUS, I said another radical “yes” to relying on spiritual and financial generosity from generous mission partners to make this work possible.

If this mission or my story inspires you, I would love to talk with you! Please reach out to me at (469) 426-7518 or by email at [email protected]. It would be a privilege to share this life-changing mission with you.

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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.

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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