Newman Ministry 
Newman Connection 
Newman Student Housing 
Called 
At Newman Ministry, our team is driven by a shared mission: to empower believers and build communities that uplift and inspire faith journeys. Made up of passionate leaders, innovators, and visionaries, we work together to create the tools, resources, and experiences that make faith-centered communities possible. Each team member brings unique expertise and a deep commitment to fostering spaces where faith can grow, connections are meaningful, and believers find purpose.
Together, we’re shaping a movement that invites everyone to belong. Join us as we inspire growth and belonging in communities across the nation—building a future where faith thrives and lives are transformed.
St. John Henry Newman
Patron/Visionary
St. John Henry Newman, our patron, was a man driven by a relentless pursuit of truth. Once a leading figure in the Anglican Church, Newman’s spiritual journey led him to embrace Catholicism in 1845. His deep intellectual curiosity and commitment to education are central to our mission at Newman Ministry. Through works like The Idea of a University, he emphasized the harmony of faith and reason—values we strive to embody.
One of the most striking stories about Newman is how, during his conversion to Catholicism, he lost many friends and endured harsh criticism, but his faith never wavered. His courage in the face of such adversity reminds us to stand firm in our beliefs, no matter the cost.
Matt Zerrusen
Co-founder and Chief Innovative Discipleship Officer
As founder and president of Newman Ministry, Matt is dedicated to bringing faith communities back to their roots—where connection, belonging, and faith are at the heart. Recognizing the challenges of today’s Church, his mission is to reach the 70% of young Catholics who feel disconnected, inspiring them to return to faith through authentic community. Inspired by Saint John Henry Cardinal Newman, Matt works to help the Church engage people as individuals, not as an institution. His work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Our Sunday Visitor, and he’s a regular guest on Sirius/XM radio. Through his leadership, Matt is championing a Church that speaks to who we are—people on a shared journey of faith.
Bill Zerrusen
Co-founder and Chief Blessings Officer
Bill Zerrusen is the co-founder, serving as the mission’s dedicated prayer warrior and foundational leader. Alongside his son, Matt, Bill launched Newman Connection in 2009, inspired by the work at St. John’s Catholic Newman Center at the University of Illinois. Driven by a deep commitment to faith, Bill traveled extensively to unite dioceses and lay the groundwork for the mission’s future success, helping connect over 600,000 high school students to campus ministries nationwide. His dedication to prayer and faith-centered leadership ensures that each step of the mission is rooted in purpose. In addition to his role as Chief Blessings Officer, Bill serves as President and CEO of his family business, Three Z Printing. He currently resides in IL, with his wife, is a proud father of five, and has eleven grandchildren.
Shaun Coleman
Chief Operating Officer, Newman Ministry
Shaun Coleman serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Newman Ministry, where he leverages a unique blend of business acumen and nonprofit experience to drive the organization’s mission. Overseeing operations for Newman Connection, Called, and the Newman Student Housing Fund, Shaun has played a key role in making Newman Ministry a national leader in creating faith-centered communities within secular spaces.
Inspired by the vision of Saint John Henry Cardinal Newman, Shaun brings innovative thinking and a disciplined leadership style that supports the organization’s core values of God, Family, and Country. His commitment to Catholic community-building and strategic insight enables Newman Ministry to expand its reach and make a meaningful impact on youth and young adults across the nation.
