We are excited to have new Howies join the Gradsfund in 2026, expanding our vision and discipleship on campus. They each have their own stories, but they are all united in their desire to share the good news of Jesus with university students.

For Mac Green, the EU Vision inspired him to become a Howie this year with the Health faculty.

“I love the EU vision for equipping and sending young people out into the world that love Jesus, that know what he says, that want to live a life completely for him, and they’re fired up to share that good news with everyone they meet,” Mac says.

Mac is excited for how God will use him over the next couple of years to bring God “glory and honour.”

“I’m super excited for how God is going to shape and grow me as a more faithful disciple of Christ, (…) as well as help prepare me for gospel work in the future.”

Jacob Madden used to work as an accountant, but he has decided to become a Howie because of the impact student ministry had on him.

“When I was a student myself, my Howie had this deep, joyous relationship with Jesus,” Jacob says. “I saw that, and I thought, ‘Oh, I want to have a faith that looks like hers.’”

“The way that she lived out her faith transformed mine, and I would also love to have that impact on students.”

Jacob will be serving in the BizLaw (Business and Law) faculty this year, and hopes to become equipped for a lifetime of Christian service.

Making a lifelong promise to serve God seemed “crazy” to Miranda Read in Year 10, but her faith grew after Christian leaders and staff workers invested in her throughout high school and university.

“After a year of throwing questions around, thinking about, ‘Is this really my faith?’ I think that’s when things came together,” Miranda says. 

“In uni, I grew a lot in making my faith a personal one with my saviour, rather than just ‘my faith is about ministry.’”

Miranda is now serving as a Howie, and looks forward to working with student leaders in the Con and Science faculties, hoping to give them the same investment she received. 

“(Student leaders) can come up with amazing ideas,” Miranda says, “I’m really keen to see students grow in these next few years and be part of that.”

Timothy Ra hopes the students he serves as a Howie will grow in faith, but he is also challenged by the gospel needs of international students, with many having no knowledge of Jesus.

“At Sydney Uni, we have such an amazing opportunity to share the gospel with people who probably have never heard about it,” Timothy says.

Timothy hopes that he will grow his love for God and discern if full-time ministry is right for him during his time serving with Focus.

“My prayer is that the students that I serve alongside will also consider whether they can serve in full-time ministry, but if not, to serve faithfully for God wherever He sends them.”

Like Tim, Erin Cahill also aims to give students the capacity to serve God in their lives.

“I’m really excited to learn how to train others to do kingdom work wherever they go,” Erin says.

Since Erin’s faith grew at youth group, Erin has developed a love for ministry. However, she believes being a Howie is “quite different.”

“I’m excited to be challenged in really new ways, learn new skills and do something hard.”

Check out our Facebook group to hear from our new Howies in greater detail as they share their stories!