Narrative Summary
Interview with Stefanie Reinsch by Katelynn James
As I began thinking of who I was going to interview for this project, I knew I wanted to
find someone I could relate to—someone who has been making changes with her life and always
willing to help others. Stefanie “Stef” Reinsch was the one person who I have not gotten to know
very well, yet she is someone I looked up to when discussing her journey with Christ. On April
11, 2011, I got the pleasure of interviewing Stef and learning about her past and where she is
now with her work and journey with the Lord.
Stefanie Reinsch was born in the 1980s in Nebraska to J. Reinsch of Nebraska and D.
Reinsch of Indiana. Her parents both grew up in Catholic families, and they passed the belief and
faith in Catholicism to their daughter. They wanted to provide Stef with a wonderful education,
and with that, Stef was enrolled in private Catholic schools from kindergarten through her senior
year in high school. Stef was involved with Bible studies and other organizations throughout
high school. After graduation, she decided to attend University of Nebraska-Lincoln beginning in
the mid-2000s. Stef eventually graduated with a major in psychology and three minors, including
history; sociology; and child, youth, and family studies. Prior to graduation, she became involved
with a social sorority on campus known as Gamma Phi Beta. Stef worked to keep her faith and
relationship with Christ, and at the beginning of her four years at the university, she found it
wasn’t the easiest of jobs. Stef began to push against her faith after much education and time
spent during her younger years in Catholic schools. Stef knew other women in her sorority who
were active in their faith as Catholics, but during her first two years, she keep telling herself she
knew who she was and that she was on the right path with her faith life.
During her junior year in college, Stef met a missionary involved in the Fellowship of
Catholic University Students (FOCUS), and began a friendship with the woman. This missionary
Missouri State University
Spring 2011
Religious Lives of Ozarks Women
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was, like Stef, a sorority alumnus, and someone passionate in her walk with Christ. Stef began to
learn from this missionary about how to live a life following Christ, and how to believe in Christ
when things got tough. Over the years, Stef began to see her life be more open and freeing. After
that year, the FOCUS missionary left, and another one came. The new FOCUS missionary that
came during Stef’s senior year was also an alumnus of a sorority. The missionary was able to
relate to those who were involved in sororities, showing them how to go about their lives, living
them as God wishes them to.
During Stef’s senior year, she began to learn the actual meaning of prayer and how
important it is to improving one’s life. Stef attended the FOCUS National Conference in Florida.
It wasn’t until then that she considered becoming a FOCUS missionary. Stef always thought the
idea was great, but she wanted to attend grad school first. Apparently, God had a different plan
than she did. Stef applied to become a FOCUS missionary that spring semester, went through the
interview, and accepted a new position with the group. Stef has worked as a missionary at
Missouri State University in the Catholic Campus Ministry.
Over the past nine months, Stef has impacted many lives because of the work she does
for FOCUS. Being given the opportunity to interview Stef has helped me learn about her life and
her journey, and it has also opened doors for me in my ongoing journey with Christ. I knew from
the first time I met Stef that she was a very unique individual who has put her whole heart in
everything she has ever done. She is not only a role model for me, but also for all women out
there who are striving for a better life with Christ. I am pleased to share her story.
Missouri State University
Spring 2011
Religious Lives of Ozarks Women