Carly Smith

Hi! My name’s Carly. I’m a FOCUS missionary : )

Where I serve

After serving for 3 years in California at Cal State, Fullerton, California State, Northridge, and San Diego State, I am returning to San Diego for my 4th year of mission! I am stoked to go deeper with the students I’ve built relationships with and meet SO many more on campus this year. I cannot wait to invite them into the very life of Christ through bringing them the Gospel, walking with them in the richness of the Catholic faith, and jumping into His mission of “making disciples of all nations!”

Please pray for Tim, Mary Beth, Michael and myself as we encounter students at SDSU this year!

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My Story

I was born and raised in Manhattan, Kansas. Growing up, my life consisted of Catholic schooling, youth group, incredible parents, the sacraments, and various events with my diocese – all the external ingredients for a great faith life! I checked all the boxes and had a firm desire to make Christ important in my life, but I never made an effort to make Him the center of it. When college hit, I was still in the habit of “going through the motions” in my faith, but I didn’t have a personal relationship with God. With this area being fairly weak, I fell into the party culture of college. I began seeking temporary happiness where my heart was longing for lasting joy. The way of the world seemed “easier” and more “appealing,” but I was left time and time again with a thirst for something greater.

The second semester of my sophomore year, a FOCUS missionary, Kelly Guilbeau, started pursuing friendship with me. She saw my deep longing for something more, and began to walk with me in inviting Jesus, little by little, into all areas of my heart.  This took time, of course, since letting go of a life of sin is no walk in the park. But Kelly continued to point me time and again back to the Lord and His compassionate heart. She led me to the sacraments in a way I had never experienced before and taught me how to begin developing a deep relationship with Jesus.

Over time, I was able to build up a habit of daily prayer and a desire to receive the Lord in the Eucharist as often as I could. I was finally able to see that even if I was “doing all the right things,” without a deep rooted love of God through prayer, I would never reach true joy! Through the encounters I have had with God, I have come to know who I am and what I am made for (relationship with the Lord)! In Him, I am fully alive – saying yes to FOCUS has given me an opportunity to invite other college students into a life of greatness with Christ!

Your Impact

As a full-time missionary, I have the privilege of placing full trust in God by fundraising my entire mission budget. This is the beauty of the faith – Jesus does not want us to rely on ourselves, He wants us to rely on Him for everything! In order to radically invest in students’ lives at San Diego State, I cannot fulfill this call to mission alone. I need your help!  By generously joining this mission, you will be accompanying me in fulfilling the great commission, winning souls for Christ, and giving hope to this world! If you are interested in partnering with me, please let me know of the best way to reach you and I will schedule an appointment. I’d be honored to share this mission with you!

Please feel free to contact me at anytime with any questions or prayer intentions you may have!

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

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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.

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