Ibrahim Gardner
The Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) is an organization that serves on 205 campuses with about 800 missionaries as of September 2021. FOCUS takes recent college graduates, trains them in the teachings of the Catholic Church, Scripture, and practical aspects of ministry, and sends them to serve on college campuses. The organization conducts Bible studies, led by a missionary, where small groups meet weekly to discuss a Scripture passage. FOCUS also hosts conferences, service trips, and retreats for undergraduates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of campuses served | 205 |
| Number of missionaries | 800 |
| Number of states in the US with FOCUS campuses | 41 |
| Number of international campuses | 5 |
| Number of annual conferences | 1 |
| Number of annual Catholic Conferences | 1 |
| Number of annual retreats | Multiple |
| Number of annual international mission trips | Multiple |
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FOCUS missionaries
The Fellowship of Catholic University Students, commonly known as FOCUS, is a Catholic outreach program for American college students. It was founded in 1997 by Curtis Martin and Dr. Edward Sri at Benedictine College. The mission statement of FOCUS is to "Know Christ Jesus and fulfill His Great Commission".
The organisation's work primarily takes the form of Bible studies, conducted as small groups that meet weekly to discuss Scripture passages. These meetings are typically led by a missionary and follow formats and lesson plans distributed by FOCUS. The Bible studies are either all-male or all-female, and leaders often meet one-on-one with select members outside of study sessions in "discipleship" sessions.
As of September 2021, FOCUS has served on 205 campuses with about 800 missionaries. The organisation has a presence in 41 US states and several European countries, including Austria, England, Ireland, and Germany.
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Bible studies
The Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) is an organisation that trains recent college graduates in the teachings of the Catholic Church, Scripture, and the practical aspects of ministry. FOCUS staff members commit to two years of full-time work on campus, serving pastors and lay leaders.
The Bible study aspect of FOCUS is central to its mission. FOCUS missionaries lead small groups of students in weekly discussions of Scripture passages. These Bible studies are single-sex and follow formats and lesson plans distributed by the organisation.
Another person shared their experience of being invited to join a men's group and Bible study by a FOCUS team director: "I didn't really know what to expect going in, but I ended up making some of the most meaningful friends I've made just because FOCUS reached out to me. I also became excited about the faith for the first time in my life and became involved in leadership at the Newman Center because of them, as I felt called to build community and share the joy of the faith with others."
However, FOCUS has also received criticism from some who claim that it exhibits "cult-like behaviours" and is "not mainstream Catholic". One person commented that they felt FOCUS "bulldozes onto campuses and completely takes over the existing ministry on the campus".
Despite these criticisms, FOCUS continues to expand its reach, serving on over 200 campuses in 41 states and several countries in Europe as of September 2021.
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SEEK conference
The Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) is an organisation that serves on over 200 campuses in 41 US states and several European universities. FOCUS takes recent college graduates, trains them in the teachings of the Catholic Church, Scripture, and practical aspects of ministry, and sends them to serve on college campuses.
The SEEK conference is an annual, multi-day conference hosted by FOCUS. SEEK is an educational and social event that invites students from across the country to encounter Christ and to grow in fellowship with others. The conference features daily Mass, Adoration, dynamic Catholic speakers, lively entertainment, and more. SEEK24, which took place in St. Louis in 2024, had over 19,000 attendees, a 28% increase from the previous year. The conference featured speakers such as EWTN News President and COO Montse Alvarado, as well as 44 bishops, and 450 seminarians. SEEK25 is planned to be held in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The smaller alternative to SEEK is the Student Leadership Summit (SLS), which is more directly aimed at training undergraduates and other young and ministerial professionals in the organisation's methods. Both conferences feature high-profile speakers, exhibitors, and social events. The first SEEK conference was held in 1999, with the final SLS taking place in 2019. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the in-person 2021 and 2022 nationwide conferences were cancelled.
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Student Leadership Summit
The Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) is a Catholic collegiate outreach that was founded in 1998. It invites college students to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church, inspiring them to evangelize, disciple, and befriend others so that they may follow suit. FOCUS missionaries are typically recent college graduates who commit to two or more years of full-time work on campus.
The Student Leadership Summit (SLS) is a biennial, invite-only event hosted by FOCUS that aims to train undergraduate student leaders and other young ministerial professionals in the organization's methods. The summit features training sessions and peer-to-peer learning techniques, covering topics such as prayer, evangelization, discipleship, and small group Bible studies. SLS is usually held over five days and includes attendees such as staff, missionaries, chaplains, seminarians, alumni, benefactors, and Catholic lay persons.
The 2016 Student Leadership Summit (SLS16), held in Dallas, Texas, drew more than 3,400 attendees. The conference encouraged attendees to fulfill the Great Commission, as stated in Matthew 28:19-20: "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age." The 2020 Student Leadership Summit (SLS20), held in Phoenix, attracted more than 8,000 young Catholics from across the country.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the in-person 2021 and 2022 nationwide FOCUS conferences were canceled. The final SLS was held in 2019, and the organization's other conference, SEEK, became an annual event.
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FOCUS Equip
The Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) is an organization that serves on over 200 campuses with about 800 missionaries. FOCUS missionaries serve pastors and hundreds of lay leaders throughout the country, working to transform communities through Christ’s model of face-to-face evangelization.
History
FOCUS was formed to address the secular culture that is stealing the hearts of millions of people with a way of life that cannot satisfy. The organization trains recent college graduates in the teachings of the Catholic Church, Scripture, and practical aspects of ministry. These graduates are then sent out, typically in teams of four, to serve on college campuses for a minimum of two years.
Activities
The greater part of FOCUS' work occurs in Bible studies, conducted as small groups that meet weekly to discuss a Scripture passage, typically led by a missionary for the organization. FOCUS also hosts two annual conferences: SEEK, which is educational and social in nature, and the Student Leadership Summit (SLS), which is aimed at training undergraduates and other young and ministerial professionals in the organization's methods. In addition, FOCUS offers Catholic Conferences, international mission trips, retreats, and alumni support.
Testimonials
Testimonials from those involved with FOCUS are mixed. Some individuals have praised the organization for building their faith and helping them to become better Catholics. Others have criticized FOCUS for exhibiting cult-like behaviors and being unhealthy for mental and social health.
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