VAGABOND MISSIONS PODCAST
Andy Churray interviews fellow Vagabonds about their experiences on mission and how it has shaped them as missionary disciples of Jesus Christ and His Church. New episodes out every other Friday. Listen and subscribe today!
Episode 3 - lauren alley
A Mobile, AL missionary, Lauren Alley, shares about her call to mission in the inner city. Starting a site with nothing but hands and feet excited to share the good news.
young people see All
Jesus, a young man who had drifted from his Catholic faith reluctantly attended a conference due to family pressure. There, he encountered Jesus in a powerful way during Adoration, transforming his belief into a personal relationship. He returned home with a renewed commitment, attending daily Mass and changing his habits. Now, he is discerning a vocation to serve God despite outside doubts.
Egypt, an 18-year-old new mother with a painful and unstable past, unexpectedly gave birth to her son Jedidiah after a high-risk pregnancy and soon found herself searching for belonging and hope. Through the steady love and support of Vagabond Missions, Egypt encountered Christ in a new way, experiencing God’s personal love through the Mass, the Eucharist, and a welcoming parish community. That encounter led her to be fully initiated into the Catholic Church alongside her son, and she now draws daily strength from God’s grace to face life’s challenges.
Before encountering Vagabond Missions, Maribel felt isolated and stuck at home in a life marked by conflict and emptiness. Through the support of the missionaries and the youth center, she found a safe and loving community, grew in her faith, and is now pursuing becoming Catholic as she seeks lasting joy and a deeper relationship with Jesus.
Antoine first met Vagabond Missions in eighth grade on a neighborhood basketball court, where the missionaries’ unexpected kindness and presence made him feel seen and valued. As he formed deep, family-like relationships with them, Antoine began healing from past trauma, discovering belonging, and developing a more hopeful understanding of God. A powerful encounter with God during adoration at Life Teen Camp confirmed his renewed faith and solidified his sense that God had always been with him.
Missionary See All
Daniel felt called to be a missionary after SEEK 2015 but had to wait six years before joining Vagabond Missions in 2021, a time that helped him grow in empathy and life experience. He served in Pittsburgh from 2021–2023, building relationships with young people, witnessing moments of faith and transformation, and learning lessons in forgiveness and patience. In 2023, he moved to Oklahoma City, where he continues his mission by mentoring youth, fostering community, and sharing his faith through outreach, social media, and personal connections.
In my teenage years, I was involved in drugs, alcohol, and gang activities until I encountered Vagabond Missions. A male missionary in Wichita invited me and my cousins to the Underground, where I began attending Mass and Bible studies. Although I wasn’t fully committed at first, the love and consistency of these events began to change me. In spring 2018, I chose to get confirmed and committed to following Jesus. After high school, I decided to help other teens escape similar cycles in the inner city by dedicating my life to God as a Vagabond missionary.
I chose Vagabond because it challenged me in many ways, despite my initial fears about relating to the teens due to my suburban California background. I realized that even helping one person encounter Jesus would make it worthwhile. This desire fueled my involvement with Vagabond and significantly impacted my faith journey. I’ve learned that there are experiences beyond my understanding, and while I may not be able to change their circumstances, my prayers and presence can still make a difference. I am grateful to be part of these teens’ lives, despite my imperfections.
I said yes to the mission because I felt called by the Lord to do something radical with my life. Vagabond has significantly shaped who I am today, prioritizing and nourishing my faith daily through our rule of life. I met my wife while on mission, and now I have the incredible opportunity to raise a family while continuing this work. What I love most about Vagabond, aside from the amazing people I work with, is witnessing God perform miracles in the lives of teens in inner-city and urban areas, experiencing the Gospel in real and tangible ways.