Matthew Seattle, Washington

Hey. I'm Matthew, and I was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. It was thanks to my friends there that I first attended an MI Youth retreat as a kid. I was confronted with the startling a that the Catholic faith was a reality and not an opinion or family tradition, and subsequently gave myself up more and more to the delight of trying to serve God. As a proud product of the MI, I look to Mary in this hope of serving God: her desire to be a saint spills over into my tendency to be a chump and overpowers me. I am grateful for that and the adventures which have been brought my way so far, excited to be involved with MAX '09 right now, and curious to see where it is going to take me!" We are Knights of the Immaculata, ready for any expedition, any place, anytime."

Shevawn Honolulu, Hawaii

Hi everybody! I'm Shevawn and I am totally in love with Our Lady! I was first sent to do an MI retreat when I was a teenager, and learned quickly that when you give your life to Our Lady, you better hold on tight because she's going to take you for the ride of your life! She is our Heavenly Mother who ponders each one of us in her heart and understands that, as Pope John Paul II said, we are not simply the "sum of our weaknesses and failures; we are the sum of the Father's love for us!" I am so blessed to now work full-time for the MI and to travel across the world to help spread the love of Christ and pull more souls into the MI family.

Nick Libertyville, Illinois

During my teenage years, I was fortunate enough to live only 3 miles from Marytown, the National Center for the Militia of the Immaculata. Willingly or unwillingly at different times, it was key to the formation of my faith over the years. I daily attended Mass there, took part in MI Youth Retreats, and went to get away from the world and enjoy the company of the understanding friars. I heard about the MAX tours and, when I became old enough, intended to join my MI friends in that work. However, my philosophy and theology studies at Thomas Aquinas College kept me in California for several years. After graduating last spring, however, my schedule was open to do Our Lady's work. Hopefully I'll be able to let her use me as an instrument of grace, to assist others as she helped me through my teenage years to form a relationship with her Son.

Claire Deerfield, Illinois

Hi all! I am Claire and I am so in love with Our Blessed Mother, because it's through her that we can get to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus! I'm on the team because of a testimony I heard at an MI summer retreat when I was 14. It was the spark to get my heart loving my faith again, and I have ever since wanted to pass on that gift and that impact that one leader had on me. Now, being on the MAX team, the Immaculata has given me that opportunity! I love being on the MAX '09 team because I can express and live my faith in a way that I was never able to before. Tous pour ca Immaculata! (All for the Immaculata!)

Shevawn Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hello everyone! My name is Shevawn and I am from Michigan, America's high-five! This is my first full year with the MAX Evangelization Crew and I am so grateful to be traveling the country with such awesome teammates. I made my consecration to Mary as a young adult only two years ago and let me tell you it has been a crazy trip ever since; they aren't kidding when they say to hold on tight after you make your consecration! I have learned that when you step out in Faith you are never stepping out alone when you are part of the Militia of the Immaculata.

Michael Lakemoor, Illinois

Hello everybody, my name is Michael and I live in the suburbs of the world's greatest city, Chicago, IL. I have been involved in the Militia of the Immaculata ever since I was born. I attended the New Years Retreat in 2008, which was when I decided that I was going to join the MAX Team. However, I was only a junior in high school and had to finish before I went anywhere. But I had the desire to get onto MAX, and with this in mind I set up my senior year schedule so I would be able to graduate a semester early. Our Lady made everything fall into place, and here I am!

Andrew Las Vegas, Nevada

Hello, my name is Andrew and I am pleased to be the first person to represent Las Vegas on a MAX Team. As the year kicked off I found myself going to take part in the annual New Years Retreat at Marytown. While there, I commended myself to the will of Our Lady, and then quickly discovered precisely what it means to be swept up in the arms of the Immaculate. Before the week was out, my regular life had been suddenly left behind, and I decided to join Max 2009. I'm not sure what Our Lady has in store for me, but I am eager and determined to ride it out and give it my all.

Greg Chicago, Illinois

I'm Greg from Chicago, IL. I wanted to be a part of MAX because it was an opportunity to share with teens the importance of their faith and it is also a chance to continue grow in my faith. On MI retreats I have witnessed teenagers have life changing moments by the grace of God and I wanted to be a part of that. To think that one teenager might have a better and totally different life because they attended one MI retreat inspired me to join MAX. I look forward to being a part of Max 2009 and pray that we will be successful in bringing more people "to Jesus with Mary."