Teammate Spotlight: Brenden T. Fitzpatrick

Resides In: Grand Saline, TX

Before NET: Graduated from the University of Riverside with a bachelor's degree in Philosophy.

First Encounter: At Music Training, one of the first new NET Missionaries I met this year. He was a guitarist, and he loved playing praise and worship music. He was working very hard learning all the songs in our worship aid at Wapo, and I loved watching his dedication.

Initial Thoughts: Seems like a pretty stoic person, but also a very strong Catholic with his life experience living out his faith at college.

(Left) The Easter Sunday fits! Brenden always seemed to look so fly when he dressed up, with his blue tie to match his blue button-up, the solid leather belt to go with his khakis, but most importantly, the cowboy boots. His beard was also an iconic topic of conversation, as he threatened many times to shave it this year. Seeing photos of him without a beard scared us, though, and many of us supported him keeping the facial hair, plus it adds an extra layer to his professional look. Mans takes pride in how he looks, so you know he always kept himself well groomed. (Right) Now this is a side I did not expect when I first met him. This is Brenden wearing his sleeping bag cover upside-down back in November in Missouri, waiting for his moment to scare the ladies. He would always do or say the goofiest things, and despite being the oldest on the team, loved to act like a "fwee-year old" child for our entertainment. He was so funny in the most unexpected ways possible, and I really appreciated that this year.

Favorite Memory: One day, Brenden and I were sitting in the back of the van. Now, we called the van, "The Deep Fryer", because nothing healthy ever comes out of it, it's always just dad jokes and really dumb kid humor. While sitting, I shared with Brenden this idea I had during quarantine called, "You Just Might Be A Netter". This is a spinoff of Jeff Foxworthy's, "You Just Might Be A Redneck", where he exposes the redneck stereotype with niche situations only a redneck could fit into. I wanted to do the same but with NET Missionary stereotypes, so for a full hour Brenden and I (with others) wrote down four pages worth of niche situations, and it was freaking hilarious. We then wanted to share it with all of NET, so at Wrap-Up Week, we got to present this bit with all the missionaries and staff, and they LOVED IT!! It was so much fun collaborating with Brenden, and doing it all in redneck voices too. And yes, we picked those voices up being in the south all year.

Something Brenden taught me: Humility and Openness. Now, Brenden may be confused when he reads this, but let me explain. Brenden is the oldest on the team, so he could have used his age many times this year to step on authority, do his own thing, or assert authority himself over the team. He never once did that. Instead, he was always eager to follow and quick to learn. I would argue he grew the most this year in so many different ways, and it stemmed from his humility to follow orders from Grace and I, who are younger than him, and his spirit of openness to continue searching for truth and to be the best he could possibly be. Even when it came to basic knowledge like theology he was always excited to learn something new every day, and it was inspirational. Plus, he was never afraid for asking for help or accountability whenever he needed it. He led by being a follower this year, and I am super grateful for his service through that.

What the world should know: He is basically a dad: he loves coffee, dad jokes, and is super cheesy in every way possible, but embraces the heck out of it. He is also super engaging, you are always drawn into what he has to say. He is tough, a true man's man, and an incredible servant. Most importantly, though, he is a fighter, you can never keep this man down from anything. The one thing you are guaranteed from him is that he will always get back up and look forward to the next moment, the next day, and the next opportunity, and that resilience has brought him a long way.

What’s next?: Brenden is moving from Riverside, California to Grand Saline, Texas, almost two hours west of Dallas, to move in with his dad. He plans on going to EMT school, and continue to find opportunities in the medical/law enforcement fields.

To Brenden:

I am so proud of you my man. You have made leaps and bounds this year far more than you probably recognize, and I was so honroed to have grown with you this year. Thank you for your service this year, for your daily "fiat", and most of all, being an incredible brother in Christ. I'm so excited for where the Lord leads you, know of my constant prayers for you through your journey. Love ya brotha!