Nashville, TN 2015

SEEK 2015! Check out how things went in Nashville, TN.

(Please note that all pictures are either my own personal photos from the event, or downloaded from seek2015.com. Enjoy!)

SEEK 2015: total attendees 9,578

96 students, 12 hours, and
2 charter buses later...

...and team Omaha arrived in Nashville!

Speakers: 

There were over 65 talks given at SEEK. A few of the titles are listed below, if you are interested you can purchase all of the talks at shopfocus.org. Also, check seek2015.com as a few of the talks are on the site for free. I highly recommend them all!

Jill, Colleen, Rachel, and I after one of the talks.

Just a few of the 65+ talks given at SEEK 2015: 

-The Evidence for God from Contemporary Science - Fr. Robert Spitzer

-Suffering and the Love of God - Fr. Robert Spitzer

-People are Souls: What Moves You in Your Relationships - Lisa Cotter

-Mary & the Bible: What Catholics Really Believe About Mary...and Why - Dr. Edward Sri

-Getting Hammered vs. Hilarity: How to Enjoy Alcohol - John Leyendecker

-Four Levels of Happiness and Purpose in Life - Fr. Robert Spitzer

-Abortion and Sidewalk Counseling 101 - Abby Johnson

At one of the Women's only talks with Samantha!

Each missionary has particular duties and tasks while at SEEK, and I was honored to be given the opportunity to serve on the hospitality committee! So I guess I am putting my degree in hospitality to good use after all! ;) In all seriousness, it was such a joy to serve the students and my fellow missionaries in a different way that I get to on campus, and it was something I am passionate about! (4 years of Hotel management put to great use!)

As a member of the hospitality committee my tasks included taking care of the guest speakers, and introducing them at the break out sessions. (Might I mention that I had to introduce them in from of 500-1,000 people!) Below is a picture of one of the speakers I had the privilege of introducing.

As a member of the hospitality committee,
I introduced Jeff Runyan, and Paul George (2 guest speakers)
in front of this crowd.
(4 talks in total with 500-1,000 students at each)

Praise and Worship (Adoration):

This was a time for prayer, and many of the students had very personal experiences with God. There was praise and worship music, a procession of Jesus in the Eucharist, confession, and prayer teams available if anyone wanted to be prayed with. This was a time last year at SLS that God chose to speak to me. Hear from our students how God spoke to them this year. 

Adoration of the Jesus in the blessed sacrament. 

What the Students have to say:

"Adoration night was what really impacted me. God spoke to me; I heard his word and what he had planned for me. God told me that we go through bad things, as this world is not perfect, and that there is a better place in the afterworld with Him."- Johnny, sophomore at UNO 

"Adoration was the most memorable night for me. I had never experienced something so powerful or moving. For the first time in my life, I had actually felt God's presence in my life." -Rachel, Senior at UNO

If you have ever had questions or want to hear more about the Eucharist follow this link to a talk by Fr. Mike Schmitz. He gave this talk at SEEK just before adoration began.

(The Emcee Chris Stefanick gives a brief talk that is awesome, but if you want to skip this Fr. Mike's talk begins at 12:20min.)

https://www.shalomworld.org/tv/videos/shalom-world/382

Thousands of College Students waited over
and hour to receive the sacrament of Confession. 

Prayer was available for those who desired it.
Ali and Colleen both expressed to me how
 much they enjoyed being prayed with! 

Mass: 

Each day mass was held at 8:30 am. Surprising or not, most of the students sacrificed their sleep to be there. Students who, after talking to them, do not even make it out of bed for their 8:30 am classes everyday. 

Watching the 215 Priests process in to celebrate
 mass each day was  an experience unlike anything
 I had experienced before. 

14 Bishops and 215 Priests. And the stage did not collapse!

Fr. Taphorn (above) and Fr. Hoesing were both able to
 join us and out students for the conference!

Entertainment:

Each night there was a particular form of entertainment provided for the students. Matt Maher performed, along with Jim Gaffigan (a comedian that is often featured on Comedy Central.) In true country style, FOCUS threw a country party for all the students, complete with live country music, two stepping lessons, line dancing, and a mechanical bull! 

Matt Maher Concert 

Country night: Complete with Two stepping,
 a mechanical bull, live music and line dancing! 

There was live music at most events, John mark (center) is
 a FOCUS missionary serving as the team director at UNL. 

Conclusion

It is clear to see the transformation that the students have had since returning from SEEK. New bible studies have been started, I have been seeing some new faces at our events, there is greater commitment from the students, and overall their prioritization of where they place God in their life has completely changed! We have also had 4 new applicants for staff, with another 3 considering submitting an application! To be honest, now is when being a missionary is really becoming fun because I get to work with young people (like myself) who are on fire for Christ, His Church and the mission. Continue to pray for us here in Omaha, as I pray for you! Thank you. <3

My goofy friends, and fellow missionaries!

It was so great to see them in Nashville.