Jamie Baxter

My mom and dad had a conversion through the Cursillo movement. And I remember life before Christ and life after Christ in my family. One of the things that really struck me was the prayer life of my father. I would walk downstairs every morning to eat ice cream and watch cartoons, and I’d see my dad with his head up and eyes closed with the Mass readings on his lap. This image seared into my imagination.

During high school I was active in a young men’s fraternity at my parish. I was fortunate to have the support of brothers and mentors in the faith. It was in these years that two profound things happened for me: I was introduced into the contemplative life, and grew my in my friendship with the Lord; and I fell in love with the Church, my first love, and I wanted to spend my days in her service.

Though I intended to go to business school, I called it off the week before classes started to go to seminary. I had never been to the state of Minnesota before when I showed up for my first day at St. John Vianney College Seminary in St. Paul. I was introduced to the Catholic intellectual tradition through the Center for Catholic Studies. There, I learned too see with Catholic vision: that the Cross is the measure of history, and that all truths unite in the Truth, Jesus Christ. I cherished this time with other men striving after the same ideals.

One summer during college my father took my brother, Doyle, and me up a mountain on a hike that I will never forget. At the top, he prayed Psalm 24 (Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord?) and he wept over us as he said: “The grace of my conversion was that it was not too late to pass on the faith to my sons.” This was a literal mountain top, and it was then that I came to see the impact of my father upon me.

I discerned that God was calling me to marriage and family life, and to a task in the world. This would become Exodus, which I’ve been working on ever since. Exodus invites men into uncommon freedom, so that we may love God and neighbor more fully. Exodus is symbolic of the gift that my father gave to me, and it’s my hope that in every man we reach, we are supporting him in passing on his faith to his sons and daughters.

Jamie Baxter is the Founder & CEO of Exodus (Makers of Exodus 90). Our mission is to share the uncommon freedom of Jesus Christ with men so that they may love more fully. He lives in Westfield, Indiana with his wife, Colleen, and three children.