And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. (Revelation 21:4)
What a whirlwind the last few years have been…
In 2023, FOCUS launched its new Center Development Initiative in Cincinnati and Houston. Operations in both cities continue to mature and strengthen, by God’s grace.
Continuing to develop and refine the process, in 2024, we developed four new Centers in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Phoenix. We also began work on a Center in Grand Rapids which, given its complexity, continues this year.
Seeing the growth of the ministry of FOCUS is bittersweet. It would be better to live in a world without poverty, a world where all experience and share the transformative love of Jesus Christ in tangible ways. But reality is far more tragic, so it’s our responsibility—as we grow into the domestic charitable arm of the Orthodox Church—to bring Orthodox Christians together to see and serve Christ in our neighbor.
To the glory of God, Orthodox Christians are answering this call in droves. Last year, we coordinated over 5,115 volunteers and volunteer opportunities to serve our neighbor in need by serving meals, distributing clothing and other essential resources, and leading classes.
Yet FOCUS is not just a nonprofit. Our mission is not simply to share material goods but rather to share a tangible experience of the Lord’s Kingdom. When we sit down with someone to share a meal, we are doing more than simply filling their stomach: we are offering a sign of the World to Come, where hunger no longer afflicts us. When we give someone a new winter coat or pair of shoes, we are doing more than simply keeping them warm: we are offering a sign of the World to Come, where nakedness and cold no longer afflict us.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.
By God’s grace, and through your continued support, FOCUS shared the love of Christ in so many ways and with so many people in 2024. As you flip through the pages of our 2024 Annual Impact Report, we hope you’ll join us in continuing to dream about how the Orthodox Church can remain on the forefront of feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, sheltering the unhoused, and making the Kingdom manifest in tangible ways.
You can view the 2024 Annual Impact Report here.
