Livin U

06/06/2026

Want to stay connected to what God is doing through Livin U?

We're building something bigger than any one event or mission trip — we're building a community of people who believe in the next generation and want to walk alongside them.

Sign up for our e-newsletter and stay in the loop on mission trips, retreats, stories from the field, and ways you can be a part of it all.

🙏 When you sign up, drop a prayer intention in the message box — we read every single one and bring them with us on mission.

It's free. It's worth it. And your prayers make this work possible.

06/01/2026

So proud of Gabe! I met his brother ten years ago. Gabe in 2022 came on the first ever Livin U retreat and went through all 4 years. He came back this past retreat and gave his testimony. Take a listen to hear more about his story and love for the Lord! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Gabe James Episode 382 1 JUNE 2026  (Caution: sad testimony shared by this guest) He is a

05/31/2026

Mmmmm 😉

05/26/2026

No Problems only opportunities
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05/22/2026

VEHICLES OF THE MINISTRY Part 2: Black Lightning

Every ministry has an origin story. Ours has a car named Black Lightning, a subwoofer in the trunk, and a road trip that changed everything.

The name just came to me and it stuck. Black Lightning became so much more than a car.

It started with a Christmas gift. The first major trip was Florida, to spend time with family and meet with Church leaders. That's where I met Pastor Kevin. I shared my heart for the Lord and for youth, and he opened the door. He let me speak to his youth group at his Church. That one conversation planted a seed for a friendship and mentorship that lasts to this day.

From there, Black Lightning took me to Cincinnati for follow-up with the IHM Youth Group and the Comboni Missionaries. Then came two years as a missionary in Syracuse, NY, driving missionaries across the city through freezing temps and icy roads. (And yes, we figured out how to put an indoor subwoofer in the trunk. So many stories from those years.)

Texas came next, serving alongside SHINE Catholic Missions and reconnecting with youth from the previous trip. That's always been the heart of this ministry: our ministry isn't one and done!

But the trip that changed everything. What I now call "Follow Up Tours" began in 2019, when I decided to follow up with Churches and youth I had previously served.

We visited St. Margaret Catholic Youth, then drove to Wisconsin to watch two of our youth play basketball. They won both games I was there for and went on to the State tournament. Sitting in those bleachers, watching kids we had poured into compete at that level, I knew I had to focus on the ministry full time.

After that trip, Black Lightning started having problems and we had to retire him. He gave everything to the mission. Florida. Cincinnati. Syracuse. Texas. Wisconsin. He never let us down.

Now, years later, our current vehicle is nearing that same chapter. The miles are adding up. The mission isn't slowing down.

We are raising money for the Livin U Mission Van, a fully built-out mobile base that will take this ministry further than any car ever has. We are nearing the time to retire our current vehicle.

Please consider supporting or sharing the link to the Van Fund. Every dollar moves us forward. Every share opens a new door and continues the vision I have carried for 16 years.

https://paypal.com/donate/?campaign_id=ST7U522E74EFE&source=url

05/18/2026

So grateful for these saints. Have worked with most of them since they were 8th graders🙏🏽🫀🧠

“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”St. Catherine of Siena.

05/11/2026

🙏 May Newsletter is live — as we near the close of the Easter season, grateful for all God has been doing on the road!

The Midwest has been full of incredible moments — a 22-mile Walk to Mary, speaking to classrooms in Minnesota, watching a student hit her first home run, and wrapping up this weekend at a Graduation Mass for seniors who were 8th graders when I first worked with them. Time flies.

This summer we head to an Apache Reservation in New Mexico in July and back to San Diego for year three. Big things ahead.

Before I leave the Midwest I'll be stopping at the Grotto at Notre Dame to light a candle. Send me your prayer intentions — I'd love to carry them with me.

Our van still needs your support before July. Read the full update and consider donating or sharing the link: https://mailchi.mp/5774fc29cb00/livin-u-newsletter-4-month-tour-11006548

05/06/2026

One of the “programs” we offer is Youth Lead Youth Group. Which has produced alot of fruit over the past 3 years. Your support makes this possible. Here is what one of the leaders has to say about this unique approach to Youth Ministry!

“Livin U has helped me to grow in faith but also meet some of my best friends. Through service and leadership I have grown closer with youth at the church and been able to step up, growing my relationship with God and learning more about myself. I have enjoyed leading lessons because I was teaching other kids but also learning more about topics such as humility, friendships, and vocations. Livin U has impacted the way I view leadership it doesn’t have to be an adult or someone with lots of influence it can be a group of 9th and 10th graders who love their faith and want to grow. I am so thankful for this experience and would highly recommend it to be implemented into other youth groups.”

https://www.livinu.org/impact

05/06/2026

May 5th is always a special day for me. In 2009, I was confirmed and felt the Holy Spirit calling me to do what I am doing today. In 2016, I thought I had sabotaged my dream and that I could no longer do ministry, but by God’s grace, I am still livin out the passion and dream! 🙏🏽🧠🫀