John Paul Hernandez

“For the daily life we live, apparently so ordinary, can be a path to sanctity.”

St. Josemaria Escriva

Where We serve

After two years of serving at Texas State University, we are thrilled to be leading FOCUS’s first team in Arkansas at the University of Arkansas. Woo pig!

Our Story

John Paul: Coming into college, I thought I had it all put together. I went to Church on Sundays. I prayed before bed. I thought I was a missionary disciple of Christ ready to tackle the world. Looking back, I can see the pride in myself thinking I had all the answers. My freshman year, I realized that I was lacking. I was finding that joy, peace, and love were not entering my life and that my friendships were severely lacking depth and love. I did not realize that the missing part of my life was a relationship with God that was intensely personal. Jesus was not someone that I could feel, grasp, see, or touch. He was the abstract perfect man that I served, but not the one that sought to draw close to me. Through deep friendships with a priest and two FOCUS missionaries, I began to see Jesus in them. They were examples to me of how to live out my faith, and I wanted to be like them. I realized that in imitating them, I was actually pursuing to be like Christ. These two men were Christ to me, and through them, my life has come to know a love that never ends.

Evelyn: The oldest of seven children, I grew up in the foothills of Colorado. I was the girl who knew all the right answers in Sunday school and never missed a week of youth group. Others had told me that Jesus was the way and so I tried to follow Him. But the reality is that while I knew a lot Jesus, I did not really know Him. During my time at Benedictine College, through bible studies, theology classes, and deep friendships, I began to develop a more consistent prayer life and really come to know the Lord. I learned that He is my Father King who will do anything for His beloved daughter. I began to share this peace and security with other women in my life and before I knew it I was saying yes to becoming a FOCUS missionary. Having the freedom to serve students fulltime fulfills one of the greatest desires of my heart.

Your Impact

Being on mission fulltime gives us the freedom to be radically available to our students. But this would not be possible without the support of some very dear friends who have joined our mission by financially supporting us. We believe that God desires every person to share the Gospel and make Him known. However, He does not call us all to do that in the same way. We are so grateful to be able to provide an opportunity for others to go on mission without ever leaving their homes. If you are not yet on our team we would love to share more about it with you; please reach out. If you have already said yes to coming on mission with us, thank you so much. We are honored to be sharing this work with you.

Find other missionaries

FOCUS brings the joy of the Gospel to colleges and parishes across the United States (and beyond)!
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.

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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