Mary Mother of the Church Parish

Moments before Jesus ascended into heaven he commissioned his apostles, and all people to: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold: I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Mt 28:19-20) I have been striving to live out Christ’s command by staying close to Jesus in Holy Communion and prayer, as well as by witnessing to His presence and work in my life and the life of the world. There are so many people in the world who do not know God or His incredible love for them. There are so many who have not experienced the healing, freedom, and blessing of living in the salvation offered to them by Jesus Christ. Through God’s grace and a lot of prayer, I share this good news by building intentional, Christ-centered friendships with others and helping them grow in holiness and mission so that they might go out and do the same. My family and I are committed to investing deeply in relationships by inviting others to share in the life of our family as well as through our involvement in their lives. I also accomplish this mission through discipleship groups, Bible studies, and large group events. It is our hope and prayer that by witnessing to those God puts in our lives many will come to know the truth and love of Jesus Christ and His Church.

I was not raised in the Church or in any particular faith background. As a youth I lived without God and led a sinful life full of partying, drugs, fighting and other poor choices that go with that sort of lifestyle. I had a powerful encounter with God when I was 19 and was soon after led by Him into the military. I was on active duty for almost nine years and got married to a beautiful, virtuous and faith-filled woman named Johanna during that time. God has blessed us with five beautiful daughters so far: Felicity, Lydia, Faustina, Sophia, and Josephine. After my time of service, God led me to study theology and catechetics at Franciscan University of Steubenville. It was there that he called our family to full-time mission with FOCUS and brought us first to UW-Platteville. After serving there from 2014 to 2016, I was invited to become the team director at UW-La Crosse and served there for 6 years. Now I am a parish missionary with FOCUS at Mary Mother of the Church Parish where I am also assigned as a permanent Deacon (ordained in 2022). Thanks be to God, our time in this mission has been incredibly blessed and fruitful. Three of the men I have worked with have entered the seminary, dozens of others have entered into full-time mission and ministry in the Church, and many more are serving God and others through living lives of holiness and mission in their family and friendships. It is truly amazing to see these people give themselves to God and then watch Him transform their lives with His mercy, grace and love!

You can join us in two ways: with your prayers and/or your financial support. We appreciate your prayers so much because we know we can do nothing without God. And, as a FOCUS missionary, I fund-raise 100% of my mission budget, which includes everything I need to provide for my family as well as everything I need to reach people with the Good News of salvation in Christ. By joining our support team, you will help us share the Gospel with the people of La Crosse unreservedly and do our part to reach the world for Christ! Thank you very much for your time and prayerful consideration!

“So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord” (2 Tim 1:8) because “if you are what you are meant to be, you will set the world on fire” (St. Catherine of Sienna). Let’s set the world on fire!

God bless you,

Deacon Terry Bell and Family