About FOCUS

 

FOCUS, the Fellowship Of Catholic University Students, is a collegiate outreach program where recent college graduates are sent back to college campuses to reach college students where they are at and help them to more fully encounter Jesus while they are in college.

Most people ask me, "Ok, so what do you DO?"

I will be the first to admit it is a little hard to explain. I'll begin by explaining why we focus on the college campus. College students are the future of our country: the future doctors, lawyers, teachers, and parents. During college 85% of Catholics (the statistic is similiar for all Christians) who go to college will leave their faith by the time they are done with college. This is a time in their life when they are making huge decisions that will affect the rest of their life - such as what they are doing for the rest of their lives, who they "are", who their friends are, maybe who they are going to marry, etc - and this includes figuring out what part Jesus will play in their lives.

During this time of decision making and growth, they are bombarded with binge drinking, sexual promiscuity, moral relativism and academic hostility towards the Catholic faith. Combine that with a general lack of knowledge of the faith and lack of support from family and friends from home and college can be a pretty dangerous place.

How do we reach them?

Our Model

- Win them over through genuine friendships.

- Build up their personal relationship with God and equip them with tools needed to thrive in college and beyond.

- Send them out and share the Faith with their peers.

Our Methods

Large Group Outreach: We host events, conferences and retreats that provide opportunities for college students to respond to God’s love, foster relationships and grow spiritually.

Bible Studies: By facilitating small group discussion, we aid students in understanding and applying Sacred Scripture to their everyday lives.

One-on-One Mentorship: Through personal investment in the lives of our students, we model Christ’s love and guidance; teaching them how to live their faith in the midst of life’s everyday demands and distractions.

So where do I fit into all of this?

My job is to be radically available to the students on campus. I am to enter into genuine friendships with them, invite them into a relationship with Jesus, help them grow in their faith, answer their questions, mentor them, live a genuine Christian life in the midst of the world WITH them - I live their life with them, helping them to understand how and support them in living their lives as a Christian! Yes, that means I work out with them, I eat in the caf with them, I study with them, I have Bible studies and women's nights, I go swing dancing with them, I watch movies with them, I go out for a drink with them... I live their life with them, so that I am always there when they need that support. Then, I mentor them, teaching them how to go out on campus (and someday their parishes, work places, families, etc.) and bring the light of Christ to all those who do not have a relationship with Him.

Ultimately, the point of FOCUS is to raise up future leaders who take their values with them into the rest of their lives. We are trying to teach the students how to be Catholic doctors, Catholic lawyers, Catholic teachers and Catholic parents when the world tells them it's not ok.

As a missionary, I raise 100% of my salary. I depend completely on donations from those who have a passion for this mission. If you would like to support me financially, you may make a donation or set up a monthly donation here. Thank you for your generosity and prayers!