FOUNDER

A.J. Barker previously taught at an all-boys school (St. Thomas Academy). Most recently he was the Principal of a K-8 Elementary Catholic School.

A.J. received his Master’s in Catholic Studies from the University of St. Thomas and his Catholic School Leadership certification to qualify him as an administrator in Catholic Schools through the Archdiocese in conjunction with the St. Paul Seminary.

A.J. & Colin met while teachers at St. Thomas Academy. A.J. converted to the Catholic faith in the spring of 2018.

Background: In college A.J. starred as a Wide Receiver for the Minnesota Gophers, leading the team in receptions, yards, and touchdowns for the 2012 season. He graduated from DeLaSalle High School where he set (and still holds) the Minnesota All-Time receiving record for yards (4,047) and touchdowns (51) in a career.

A.J. lives with his wife, Laura, (both of whom grew up in St. Paul) and two kids, Ara & Matthan, in South Minneapolis. They are expecting their third child this summer.

CO-FOUNDER

Colin Faust previously taught at an all-boys school (St. Thomas Academy). Most recently he has served as the Director of Religious Education at Our Lady of the Lake in Mound Westonka.

Colin graduated with a Master’s of Theology from the St. Paul Seminary.

Colin & A.J. met while teachers at St. Thomas Academy. Colin also converted to the Catholic faith in the spring of 2018.

Background: Colin served in the Marine Corps after high school where, while deployed in Sangin, Afghanistan nearly died in 2010 when he stepped on a pressure plate I.E.D. (landmine). Colin lost one of his legs in the explosion and suffered major damages. At the time he was not Catholic, but was wearing a Miraculous Medal that his Catholic grandmother had given him prior to his deployment. A sequence of necessary miracles occurred on the day of his injury to keep him alive.

Colin grew up in Waconia and currently lives in the West Metro with his wife, Julia, and their three boys: Leo, Fulton, and Benedict.