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The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. (2 Corinthians 13:14)

I’ll never forget my first day with FOCUS in December 2022. 

As I was introduced to my colleagues, I was filled with a profound sense of admiration and gratitude. These were faithful Orthodox Christians working hard to ensure that their neighbors had a warm meal and safe place to sleep. 

These were people who were making the Kingdom of Heaven manifest, as the Lord commands us to.

These were people engaged in holy, sacramental work!

As I was getting to know my new colleagues, one of them said something that still echoes in my mind: 

“God loves FOCUS.”

It was a bold thing to hear. Perhaps my face betrayed my discomfort, so my colleague smiled and continued.

“God tells us how He will judge us: not for our clever words or the way we appear ‘religious’ to the world. No, it will be for the simple acts of love we choose to offer or withhold. God identifies with the poor. He loves the poor. How can He not love a ministry that loves His children in His name?”

FOCUS is a ministry that–to paraphrase Saint Paul–shares the love of God the Father, invites people into the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and makes manifest the communion of the Holy Spirit.

Indeed, how could God not love FOCUS?

In the past three years, we’ve seen the ministry grow to an unprecedented extent: while five FOCUS Centers were serving our neighbors in December 2022, today twelve are making the love of God visible across the country.

(We’re also hiring the first Center Director to launch the thirteenth and in the process of stabilizing and acquiring a shelter which will be our fourteenth. Not to mention the three new FOCUS Centers we’ll soon begin developing this year.) 

This explosion of new FOCUS Centers is bringing together Orthodox Christians from all backgrounds to see and serve Christ in our neighbors, as a united Church. It’s mobilizing new volunteers, unlocking the generosity of new donors, and making a tangible difference in the lives of so many. 

At the time when the Church is becoming more visible in the wider American culture, the ministry of FOCUS helps ensure that our witness is grounded in the work of the Kingdom.

God loves FOCUS.

And I’m grateful that so many Orthodox Christians across the country love it, too. 

Indeed, how could we not?

Steven Christoforou, Executive Director

PS – If you would like to support the growing ministry of FOCUS, including New Center Development, please consider making a gift today.