Jennifer Conrad
DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRY
Hailing from Western Kansas (Rush Center to be exact), I attended the University of Kansas and earned my degree in speech-language-hearing disorders with a minor in leadership studies in 2006. At KU, I was very active at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center, leading mission trips to Mexico, March for Life pilgrimages, and coordinating many of the social events offered by St. Lawrence.
After my four years in Lawrence as an undergraduate, I moved to the Pacific Northwest, where I attended Oregon State University to get my M.S. degree in College Student Services and Administration with a minor in Counseling. During my time at Oregon State, my “official” ministry experience began; I created many ministry internships for my program, including coordinating the Confirmation classes for our parish as well as leading a pilgrimage to the Walk for Life in San Francisco. As I was discerning God’s next steps for my life, I landed right back in Lawrence in 2008, and am so blessed to live in such a great community.
Here at St. John, you’ll find that I don’t keep consistent office hours; you can expect to see me running across campus with a tub full of Bibles or Catechisms or snuggled up on the couch at Signs of Life reading the newest ministry publication. I coordinate the Youth Programs here, including the middle school youth nights, Confirmation prep, youth adorations, high school youth nights, mission trips, leadership retreats…and more. I love engaging students in conversations about the bigger questions in life and providing them and their families opportunities for spiritual growth, challenging students as they form their own identities in today’s difficult society.
My husband Keith and I were married on December 17 here at St. John. We met on EHarmony a year and a half ago, and I am so blessed to have him in my life. We love football, Mass Street, and watching American Idol. We are so blessed to live in Lawrence and be a part of the St. John community.