The Joy of Encounter: SEEK 2026

Con-solatio attended the SEEK conferences, organized by FOCUS in January, in Fort Worth, Texas, and Columbus, Ohio, which gathers thousands of university students for five days of prayer, talks, and mission testimonies. Here are some words from our returning missionaries who gave their time and hearts to share about the beauty of our mission with the conference-goers.

“With over 16,000 people attending and four days for them to walk around the hundreds of booths, we had many encounters with young adults, some in college and some working, that came to our booth to find out what we were about. With a team of five and an eight-by-ten feet booth, the mission was to share about our experiences and invite others to experience doing a mission abroad for one to two years, in other words: outreach. Even though this time the mission was not in an impoverished or difficult neighborhood like what I was doing in Uruguay, or Italy, we lived the mission the same way- to be a presence for those who are in need, for those who are in want, for those who are seeking.” –Jaime B. (Uruguay, 2023-2025)

“It was a joy to see so many college students, families, and religious, and to share a bit of the mission with them. I was struck by their wonder when I spoke about my daily life on mission and the people I encountered in Ecuador. Although I only recently returned from mission, I think I needed to be reminded of the gift that it was to live in Ecuador for 15 months and to encounter Jesus in so many people that I would have never had the chance to meet otherwise. It reminded me that while our presence at the booth was meant to share the mission and encourage others to go, our greater mission is friendship and sharing Christ’s love, which is truly what people are seeking.” –Sarah M. (Ecuador, 2024-2025)

“The best moments for me were in adoration when I was able to reflect each day on the different people I met and blessings God gave us to carry out our mini mission of spreading the word about Con-solatio. When I returned home, my family asked me if we got any people to go on a mission. I responded honestly with, “I don’t know!” Our God works in mysterious ways, and we may never know exactly how we touched certain souls or how they touched ours.” –Laura G. (Brazil, 2023-2025)

“I wasn’t sure at first if I was going to be able to make it to this conference or not. I wasn’t sure what was in store for me, or if I was qualified enough to be there and talk about the mission. But it was moments like these that reminded me that our mission is simple. That the Lord simply is asking me to exist. To be a small light and to bring that light with me. To be open to what He has to offer. To extend my hand in friendship without worrying about what will come of it. To thank God for bringing me wherever He wills. To give and to receive from all those around me.” –Maya A. (Romania, 2023-2025)

“During the first few days Meg and I would chat a bit, and she stopped by our booth a few times.  She didn’t seem that interested in going on mission, but on Saturday when we were making plans to have dinner with some of the SEEK attendees, I felt inspired to ask Meg to join Michelle and I for dinner.  During dinner it became apparent that Meg was not interested in becoming a Con-solatio missionary, and I prayed, “Lord, what do You have for this conversation?”  As we continued talking, we discovered some connections such as the fact that we live only a few hours away from each other and we both help lead women’s houses. As I have continued to ponder these encounters with Meg, I am becoming convinced that perhaps “the reason” for our meeting was simply that: to encounter a fellow human and delight in that person’s being, for no other reason than that that person is made in God’s image.” –Emily M. (Uruguay, 2023-2025)