by Steven Christoforou, Executive Director of FOCUS
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
(Galatians 6:9)
In your experience, what is the Orthodox Church known for?
Maybe you can think of a few things: our distinctive worship and the depth of our theology, for example. Maybe you can even think of particular influencers and multimedia content that’s becoming more well-known over time.
But, in your experience, is the Orthodox Church known for the quality of our ministry?
At FOCUS, we dream of a world where everyone shares and experiences the transformative love of Jesus Christ in tangible ways. That’s why we work so hard to serve the poor by bringing together Orthodox Christians and community partners to see and serve Christ in our neighbor.
In the past two years, the number of FOCUS Centers operating across the country has more than doubled from five to eleven. And this year, we’re developing new Centers in:
- Ambridge, PA;
- Bridgeport, CT;
- Grand Rapids, MI; and
- San Francisco, CA.
From homeless shelters to feeding programs to support for expectant moms and families, the ministry of FOCUS is making the love of Christ real for people in tangible ways across the country.
That’s never easy, under the best of circumstances. But in times of emergency, that’s even more difficult–and more vital. Consider our efforts in Los Angeles, where FOCUS has long led monthly food distributions for hungry brothers and sisters. In the aftermath of destructive wildfires, we’ve had to pivot to develop new and creative ways to serve our neighbors in need.
One of the families we’ve been blessed to support through our LA Fire Relief efforts is Eshele Williams and her son, Brayden. They lost their home in the fire—along with Eshele’s mother, sister, and cousin. Though nothing can make up for the magnitude of such a heartbreaking loss, we’ve been able to at least help Eshele and Brayden purchase new bedding and simple furniture for the apartment they now call home.
In material terms, this may not be a lot. But how great a blessing it is to experience the love of Christ in one’s neighbors during such a dark and difficult time.
By God’s grace, so many Orthodox Christians are serving their neighbors by participating with existing ministries led by other Christian traditions. That’s a beautiful thing. But when we support other existing ministries, we don’t take on much responsibility: we can help or not help, we have a supporting rather than primary role.
By contrast, when we come together to develop a new FOCUS Center, we aren’t just helping out–we’re establishing an Orthodox Christian ministry to serve our neighbors in need.
We’re making a promise that, when our neighbors are in need, they can come to us.
- In Cleveland, for example, FOCUS operates a 28-bed emergency shelter and 12-bed transitional house. As a united Church, we are making a promise to our unhoused neighbors: if you have nowhere to lay your head at night, you can come to us.
- In Minnesota, FOCUS operates an extensive clothing closet with a variety of items that a personal shopper will lead our guests through as they look at a host of coats and clothes, sheets and towels, personal hygiene items, even toys for kids. As a united Church, we are making a promise to our neighbors who are experiencing some kind of lack: if you need clothes or other items, you can come to us.
- In Saint Louis, FOCUS operates weekly Sunday meals which include an extensive food pantry. As a united Church, we are making a promise to our neighbors who are experiencing hunger: if you don’t know where your next meal is coming from, you can come to us.
None of this is easy. But, strengthened by our loving Lord and the support we show each other as we serve together in His name, we can give people a glimpse of the Kingdom.
We can show our neighbors that we aren’t simply a people with beautiful services and clever beliefs, but that we’re a people who love and serve as the Lord has called us to.
May the Lord continue to bring us together to serve in new communities across the country.
