Glory Story: Chris + Filip

Chris and Filip, both UIC alumni, had previously spent time at the Newman Center during their time in school, but their paths never crossed.

Meet Chris

Chris was deeply involved in the Newman community – he was an altar server, Bible study participant, and was discipled by Daniel, a FOCUS missionary. As he began to discern his next steps after graduation, Chris considered becoming a FOCUS missionary. Chris recalled Daniel telling him,“Regardless of what you do, you’re still going to be a missionary, it’s just whether or not you’re going to be a FOCUS missionary. Your main calling is still to evangelize no matter what.”

This gave Chris the insight and guidance that he needed. Now, Chris works as an Academic Interventionist for high school students who are struggling with grades and behavior. He’s continued to grow in his faith after college and wears his faith on his sleeve.

Meet Filip

Filip found the Newman Center as a freshman, but he was only slightly engaged. He had a one-foot-in-one-foot-out mentality and struggled with depression and loneliness. He reflects, “It could have been a better experience if I had dove in and committed to the Newman Center. The friendships I made weren’t deep enough because I was just waiting to graduate and move on with my life.”

The same FOCUS missionary, Daniel, had made many attempts to disciple him, but Filip was silently battling his own demons.

After graduation, Filip found success as a salesman in Columbus and put his faith aside. He began abusing drugs and following a lifestyle of self-destruction. He reflects, “I couldn’t feel the consequences then, but I was developing a horrendous lifestyle. I had moments where I would have breakdowns, but then I would get back on the fun train and forget about it. I was extremely successful at my job but lost my dignity in the process.”

This downward spiral lasted for a few years until he finally decided to move back home and seek professional treatment. He was hospitalized due to drug withdrawal and experienced incredible despair. He quit his job and began the long journey of healing. It was around this time that he felt a tug on his heart to go back to his roots and seek solace in Jesus. But he didn’t know where to begin.

An encounter at the gym

One afternoon last summer, Filip headed to the gym after spending the morning binge-watching a show about Vikings. As he was working out, he saw a guy who resembled a Viking, and noticed he was wearing a crucifix necklace. Filip thought to himself, “I think God probably wants me to talk to this person”. So he approached him and simply said, “I see you’re wearing a cross, can you tell me more about that?”

That man was Chris, and he responded to Filip saying, “Well I’m Catholic and I believe its the Truth and its a small reminder throughout my day that we are fallen and we need Christ and we need his grace to make it through even the smallest moments.”

Filip was astounded and began to ask more questions. They continued to talk and found out they had quite a bit in common. When they made the connection that they both went to the Newman Center at UIC and knew Daniel, the FOCUS missionary, they realized that this encounter was no coincidence.

Growing in friendship

Fast forward six months, and these men have cultivated a friendship from seeds planted years ago. They attend Mass, participate in Exodus 90, and grow in their faith together. Filip is continuing to work through recovery, turning to the Lord for guidance instead of worldly things. He says, “So much transformation has already taken place. I don’t take myself or my life as seriously anymore, because I know there is more after this life in heaven.”

Just a few weeks ago, after Mass, Chris gifted Filip the crucifix necklace that he was wearing on the day they met at the gym, as well as an icon of Sts. Peter & Paul, who are models of a Christ-centered friendship. Chris said, “I hope that he will wear the crucifix so that the same encounter might happen to him – that someone sees it and starts asking him questions too, and will be drawn to the faith as well. It’s a symbolic gift about the power of evangelization and the openness to serve God at any point in time.”

The power of evangelization

Chris reflected on his friendship with Filip,

“This story is a testament to the power of evangelizing other people. Even though Daniel didn’t reach this guy, he reached the guy that would eventually reach the guy.That is the true glory of the story. God may not be using you for a specific time, he may be sowing the seeds, but you can be sure that the seeds are being planted for a good reason.”