Fellowship of Catholic University Students

The Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) is a Catholic collegiate outreach program dedicated to sharing the hope and joy of the Gospel with college and university students across the United States and internationally.

Founded in 1998 by Curtis Martin and Dr. Edward Sri at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, FOCUS has grown to become a significant presence on over 200 campuses, including nine international locations.

FOCUS missionaries are trained in Church teaching, prayer, sacred Scripture, evangelization, and discipleship. They engage students through friendship, inviting them into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and accompanying them as they pursue lives of virtue and excellence.

This is achieved through Bible studies, outreach events, mission trips, and one-on-one discipleship. The goal is to inspire students to spread the Good News and live out the Great Commission: "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations."

SEEK Conference

A cornerstone of FOCUS's outreach is the SEEK conference, an annual event that has become one of the largest regular gatherings of Catholics worldwide.

The SEEK conference features a lineup of Catholic speakers, fellowship opportunities, prayer and worship sessions, and entertainment.

The event aims to galvanize young people to deepen and share their Catholic faith. In 2024, the SEEK conference in St. Louis attracted over 19,000 attendees, marking a 28% increase from the previous year.

Parish Community Mission

FOCUS also extends its mission to parish communities, serving pastors and lay leaders to transform communities through face-to-face evangelization.

This includes organizing service trips, retreats, and providing support to lay leaders. All efforts focus on fostering a vibrant Catholic community.

Impact and Alumni

The organization's impact is evident in the spiritual growth of its participants. Alumni statistics show significant engagement and faithfulness compared to their Catholic peers.

• 73% of FOCUS graduates have served in their parish versus 24% of their peers
• 90% attend weekly Mass, compared to 29% of their peers
• 76% are likely to live in accordance with Church teaching, compared to 19% of their peers

Locations

FOCUS's headquarters are located in Lakewood, Colorado, USA.

The organization operates on over 200 campuses across the United States and internationally.

International locations include:

• Austria
• England
• Ireland
• Germany