After serving as a campus missionary at Ramapo College of New Jersey and George Mason University, I now get to be a missionary to the missionaries in my role as a Program Director for the East Area! 

You may be asking, “What is a Program Director exactly?” I’m glad you asked! Through my role, I have the privilege of serving the needs of the East Area, which consists of the 40 campuses we serve from Virginia to Maine. My role allows me to take on a servant leader’s heart and wear many different hats in the process, and it is all to equip and encourage our staff to live out our mission statement, “To know Christ Jesus and fulfill His Great Commission.”

Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted are the most terrible poverty.

Coming into college, I had no intention of practicing the Catholic faith that I grew up with. Then, a FOCUS missionary reached out to me in some simple yet genuine ways. She ate meals with me, explored the city with me, and invited me into her life. Thanks to her friendship, I began to go to Bible study, attend Mass, and spent time in prayer. It was then that I discovered the beauty of the Eucharist, grew in my relationship with Jesus, and had a true reversion to the Catholic Church. 

God has now called me to be His instrument in changing our culture by serving with FOCUS. I believe in this mission specifically because we minister to college students. College is a pivotal time as it forms the habits that will stay with a person throughout their life. Students will graduate and enter the work force, get involved in parishes, and pursue their vocations. If we can share the joy of Jesus with our future mothers, fathers, teachers, lawyers, politicians, and businessmen, our world will be set on fire with the love of Christ! 

Some give by going, others go by giving. Without both, there is no mission.

When I answered the call to join FOCUS, I made the decision to imitate Christ fully in ministry and be radically available to serve. For this reason, I rely on the spiritual and financial support of mission partners. Through their generosity, my entire salary is fundraised so that I am able to have the freedom to devote my time and attention to serve this mission. In return, they are able to partake in all the graces of this ministry!

I’ve been blessed with the most amazing people who have journeyed with me in this mission, and I would love for you to be part of our team! If you are interested in partnering with me, please contact me and let me know the best way that I can reach out to you. I’d be honored to share this mission with you!

Email: marissa.elli[email protected]         Phone: 301-904-6202

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20