Introducing Jeffery Shott
“When I started at Catholic International University a little over two years ago in the Summer of 2022, I was stocking shelves at a grocery store full time – a high school dropout who had just recently earned his GED. I was relatively recently married, a relatively new convert (of five years) to Catholicism, and a father of only one child (at the time, two years old). Our family was struggling financially, and I was consumed with a desire for a more fulfilling life. I knew that would involve pursuing higher education. At the time, my primary interest, as a former atheist who had converted to Christianity eight years prior, was theology. Particularly, I was fascinated with apologetics and jumped at any opportunity to share my faith with others. Thus, I knew that if I were to pursue a college degree, I would want to study Theology – and I would want to do so at an institution where I could receive orthodox instruction. That is how I found Catholic International University.
Two years later, and I have since earned my AA in Theology, summa cum laude, from this fine institution. I have learned much along the way, and much has changed. Halfway into my AA program, I was blessed to have the opportunity to share my conversion story on national television as a guest on EWTN’s “The Journey Home.” I’ve had work published by The Coming Home Network. I was also able to make a career change, from stocking shelves to serving as a legal assistant for a local Catholic attorney. More importantly, I am now the father of two, with another on the way. In every way, the spiritual, academic, and intellectual progress I’ve made over the past two years thanks to your work at Catholic International University has facilitated these life changes, and for that I am most thankful.”
Jeffrey’s story of conversion to Catholicism is truly inspiring. Raised in a fundamentalist Baptist family, Jeffrey left Christianity as an adolescent due to unanswered questions about young earth creationism. He then identified as an atheist for several years before sincerely asking God to lead him back to his Church. Eventually, God answered this prayer and led Jeffrey to Catholicism. To hear his full story, click the link below: