God has given Rachel and I such an amazing opportunity to serve through FOCUS as missionaries at Belmont University in Nashville Tennessee! Let’s go Bruins!

We first encountered FOCUS when we were freshman in college at the University of Northern Colorado. While Travis was raised Catholic and had a faith foundation, He did not have a personal relationship with Christ. Because his life wasn’t centered on our Lord, he sought after many identities that weren’t in imitation of God. A FOCUS missionary entered into his life and lived very Christ-like which caused Travis desire to live just the same. By pursuing him through Bible study and intentional friendship, that missionary showed him how worthy he was for salvation. Not only did he have the opportunity to reorient his life toward Christ, but he was given many chances to share Christ with other men around him.

Rachel was also raised Catholic but entered college fallen away from the faith. She attended a Christian conference which set her on a journey of answering many questions about the Church and it’s theology. While she was on that journey, she was accompanied by a FOCUS missionary who patiently invested in her until Rachel was able to receive the trusts of the faith. During a retreat put on by Bear Catholic (The UNC Catholic Ministry) she met Jesus in the Eucharist and saw herself in the light of her truest identity, a daughter of God. Since then, her devotion to the Eucharist has flourished. Side note, that was the same retreat where Travis saw her for the first time (Love at first sight!). Rachel soon after began chasing after Christ and bringing many women along with her through discipleship and bible studies.

As we began to date, FOCUS missionaries continued to invest in us and walk with us as we were finding our vocation and how the Lord wished to work through us. The rest of our time in college was spent growing with one another as a couple in the faith. We both led bible studies and had men and women to walk with toward heaven.

Now 6 years later, we have entered our vocation and have the amazing opportunity to dedicate our whole life to sharing the Gospel with other students like us in need of loving brotherhood and sisterhood based in Christ. We have our little missionary, Benedict (and another little girl on the way in August!) alongside us as we live out our ministry. We hope that the Lord will work through our family to bring many souls to His merciful heart.

When we answered the call to join FOCUS, we made the decision to rely on the spiritual and financial support of mission partners to help us through this mission. We’ve been blessed with the most amazing people who have journeyed with us as we serve on the battlefield of the college campus. If you are interested in partnering with us, please let us know of the best way to reach you and we will schedule an appointment. We’d be honored to share this mission with you!