I serve with FOCUS by working remotely out of Saint Charles, Missouri as a member of the Philanthropy Engagement Team. My job is to engage mission partners and share with them about  how FOCUS is impacting the world, especially on college campuses, and how their kindness is making that possible!

I was born and raised Catholic in a small town in south-central Minnesota. I attended Catholic school kindergarten through senior year of high school, but faith was never really a priority in my life. Once I went to college at Minnesota State University in Mankato, Minnesota, my faith became something that was only practiced when I would return to my hometown and go to Mass with my family. My freshman year of college was a very trying time in my life, and I always felt like something was missing. It was during my sophomore year of college when one of my friends started to invite me to events put on by the Newman Center. I was very hesitant to go with him, but ultimately agreed. It was at the Newman Center where I encountered so many wonderful people living such joyful lives. I could not stop thinking about “what am I missing? Why are they so joyful and I am not?”. Through attending more events and entering deeper into the community, I realized the reason for their joy was that they were living out their Catholic faith and living for Jesus. Eventually I began to attend Mass regularly again, join a Bible study, pray daily, and spend most of my time with this Catholic community. I became friends with the FOCUS missionaries and they invited me to the yearly SEEK conference. It was here that I had a profound encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist during a time of adoration and knew that I needed to live my entire life for Jesus. Fast forward to the end of college, and I made the decision to become a FOCUS missionary. I spent two amazing years at Lindenwood University serving the students there. After my two years there, I ended up getting married to my wife, Katelyn, who I met through FOCUS, and I started working as an accountant for the Archdiocese of Saint Louis. I enjoyed my position with the Archdiocese, but I felt the Lord was calling me back into mission. That is when I made the choice to come back to FOCUS and work as part of the Philanthropy Engagement Team. It is such a blessing to be part of an organization that impacts so many souls.

Pictured below is one of the athlete Bible studies that I led at Lindenwood University. And a group of the Newman Center Community from Mankato that traveled from Minnesota to Saint Louis to celebrate my wedding!

Saying “yes” to being a FOCUS missionary also comes with saying “yes” to rely on the spiritual and financial support of supporters like you. Together we are able to be part of this organization that has a goal to go out and reach every soul on college campuses and beyond! I truly believe that  FOCUS is going to change the world by bringing people to know, and be in relationship with, Jesus Christ. This mission would not be possible without the support of you and many mission partners like you. Thank you so much for your gift and your continued loyalty to supporting FOCUS in this mission!