For many alumni, the years spent at Father Gabriel Richard High School provide a foundation that bears fruit long after graduation. For Ashley Christopher ’21, that foundation of daily prayer, thoughtful discernment, and the encouragement of teachers who pushed her to think deeply led to a life of intentional faith. After further developing a more personal relationship with Christ during her college years at Grand Valley State University, Ashley felt called to serve others in the same way she had been accompanied. Today, she works as a FOCUS missionary at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts, walking alongside students as they navigate college life, faith, and purpose.
In our conversation below, Ashley reflects on the teachers and experiences at FGR that shaped her, the moment she felt truly called to mission, and the joys and challenges of serving college students today. She also shares heartfelt advice for current FGR students discerning their own paths.
How did your time at Father Gabriel Richard prepare you for the path you’re on today?
My time at Father Gabriel Richard has prepared me in many ways for the path that I am on today. It was there where I first learned what discernment was and that we have to give God all of our decisions, so I was able to carry that into my discernment with FOCUS. The most important preparation I received from FGR was the reminder to pray before everything we do, so that everything we do is for the glory of God!
Looking back, were there particular teachers, classes, or experiences at FGR that helped strengthen your faith or leadership?
The teachers at FGR that helped me strengthen my faith were Mr. Peter during his theology class and Ms. Lawrence in her AP Language and English classes. Mr. Peter always led Socratic discussions throughout the year so that we weren’t only learning from him but also learning from each other’s questions. Ms. Lawrence did a great job of choosing a curriculum of literature and readings that related to deep theological topics that allowed us to think more deeply about our faith. At FGR I was given so many opportunities to strengthen my faith, like yearly retreats, monthly confession, and weekly adoration. I was also given the opportunity to lead the Kairos retreat, which was great for exposing me to leadership in my faith.
You mention in your FOCUS profile that your faith became more personal during your college years. What advice would you give to current FGR students about keeping their faith strong in college?
My advice for students keeping their faith strong in college is setting intentional time in your schedule for prayer and looking into Catholic club events for good Catholic community so that you can be held more accountable in your faith life.
What inspired you to become a FOCUS missionary after college, and what does a typical day in your ministry look like?
I became a FOCUS missionary because God has placed the desire in my heart to share the truth that has been shared with me and has changed my life. It’s because of the FOCUS missionaries that poured into my life as a college student that I was able to see the joy and freedom that comes from a life with Christ at the center. The moment I said yes, God opened my heart to a freedom I have been looking for and I knew He was truly calling me to serve with FOCUS.
A typical day in my life always begins with either Mass or Holy Hour. After that we have a team meeting and formation. The rest of the afternoon and evenings are usually spent with the college students sharing meals, leading them in Bible studies, and personal discipleship formation. Specifically, we have our big Newman Nights every Thursday open to all college students that begin with Mass, followed by dinner and a talk. We also throw fun events throughout the week like game nights, swing dance nights, and karaoke!
You now serve students at Bridgewater State University — what do you find most rewarding about working with college students in their faith journeys?
The most rewarding part of mission with college students has been seeing the joy and freedom they receive when they choose a life of discipleship and make the changes necessary in order to live out that vocation!
How has your experience walking with others in faith shaped your own relationship with Christ?
The biggest thing it taught me is that I can’t pour into other students well unless I am steadfast in my own personal prayer. No one can teach people about Jesus without personally knowing Him first, so giving Christ my daily yes by serving these students has kept my relationship with Christ growing daily.
Many of our current FGR students are discerning what comes next after graduation. What advice would you give them about following God’s call in their lives?
My biggest advice for discerning God’s call after graduation is to bring it to prayer first, then follow what brings you peace and not relief. The Lord desires what’s best for your life and if you feel called to something, take that next step and allow Him to either close or open doors from there!
How can FGR families support the work of FOCUS and the work you’re doing? Or learn more about it?
If anyone is interested in joining the mission of FOCUS, we missionaries need both spiritual and financial support. To learn more about the mission of FOCUS you can go to the website, focus.org and if you want to support my account you can go to “Find a Missionary” and search my name, “Ashley Christopher”. Thank you in advance for your support and prayers, and please know of my prayers and gratitude for the FGR community!