About FOCUS

Adapted from FOCUSonline.org. Fore more information, please visit FOCUSonline.org/about.

What is FOCUS?
Founded in 1998 by Curtis Martin, FOCUS, The Fellowship of Catholic University Students, is a national outreach to college campuses, to secular and Catholic schools. Through small group Bible studies, large group leadership training, and one-on-one discipleship, FOCUS brings the fullness of life and truth in the Catholic Church to college students and gives the tools to help them share this good news with their friends. FOCUS is working to play a vital role in the new evangelization called for by Pope John Paul II.

FOCUS Missionaries
FOCUS teaches recent college graduates, trains them in the teachings of the Church, Scripture and practical aspects of ministry, and sends them out typically in teams of four to serve on college campuses. FOCUS staff members make an initial two-year commitment to this full-time work. FOCUS works with the blessing of the local bishop and the support of the pastor and existing ministry(ies).

Our Mission Statement
To know Christ Jesus, and fulfill His Great Commission, by first living and then communicating the fullness of life within the Family of God, the Church.

What it Looks Like on Campus
FOCUS helps college students to allow Jesus Christ to be the Lord of their lives and gain true Vision for Life. This is done in nubmer of ways, such as:

Small Group Bible Studies

Scripture is systematically studied according to the Church’s guidelines. Bible study leaders are either FOCUS missionary staff or student leaders who have been trained in our program and demonstrate depth of faith.

The goal is two-fold:
1) to know Jesus Christ better and to understand and love the Church He established
2) to establish and deepen Christian friendships

Personal Discipleship

Bible study leaders mentor many of the students in their Bible studies using the model of heroic generosity Jesus and the early apostles used. In discipleship, students are encouraged to pray, grow in virtue and become more involved in the local parish. They are also trained in leadership, to be able to take the faith out to their friends and the rest of campus.

Large Group Leadership Training

Our large group events are a place for brand new students to get a non-threatening introduction to the Christian life, and a place for student leaders to be challenged. FOCUS missionary staff invite those students who show leadership potential to organize large group events on campus, featuring skits, music, testimonies and a short teaching.

The FOCUS Student Leadership Conference bringings college students together for prayer, talks, breakout sessions, fellowship and participation together in the Eucharist. The first conference began outside of Kansas City in January of 1999 with 25 students. In January of 2005, over 1,500 participants gathered from across the country in Denver, CO for the seventh annual FOCUS National Conference.

Fellowship

Fellowship is essential to the Christian life, and it naturally draws in others. Take the example of charcoal: when the coals are all together, they glow with heat for hour. Pull one coal away from the pile, and it quickly cools off. Intramural sports teams, ski trips, BBQs and conference are opportunities to deepen bonds of friendship and help keep the fire burning.

Trips and Missions

A vital part of the FOCUS program is the involvement by our students and staff in our mission trips and pilgrimages.  They are a wonderful and necessary way for our staff and students to have an encounter with Jesus Christ, grow in leadership, and reach out to their brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the world.  Our missions program began when six FOCUS staff and ten students traveled to remote villages of Peru in the summer of 2004.  Since then, many FOCUS staff and students have traveled around the world serving the poor, building houses and churches, and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

During the summers, FOCUS staff and students have had the opportunity to serve in India, Peru, Spain, Mexico, Ireland, and along the Appalachian Trail right here in the United States.  In addition to our summer mission and pilgrimage opportunities, many staff and students have used spring break as an opportunity to serve the poor.  Their time has been spent everywhere from Rome to Mexico, New Orleans to New York City.  These trips have granted life-changing opportunities for students and staff, providing them a vision for life extending throughout the world and inspiring them to bring what they’ve learned back home.