If you are a graduating senior interested in the First-Time Leader program, please click here for more information and to apply.

The mission of FOCUS is to present Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior, to independent school students to the end that they might come to know Him and glorify God through their Christian witness and through lives of Christian service in the Church and in the world.

We are looking for volunteer leaders to partner with us in this mission as we serve students in our Local Areas and at National Programs. We believe that relationships are critical to effective ministry, particularly those between adult leaders and students. When done well, such relationships have the potential to demonstrate God’s love for students and personify the message of the Gospel. With so many students involved, we are in need of more volunteers to take on this important charge!

Each of FOCUS’ eleven areas depends on volunteers who work with students weekly at meetings and events during the school year. Volunteers help at weekly meetings by running games and teaching Bible lessons, supporting students at sporting events, and meeting with students for coffee or a meal. The relationships formed with students provide an opportunity for conversations about faith and provide a personal connection and support for students.

National Programs are a key component to our mission. The time for students to get away from their routine and spend several days considering the Christian faith and applying it can make a lasting difference in their lives. Therefore, we strive for excellent and effective planning, administration, and leadership of our programs. Every student should not only have fun, experience well-run activities, and build peer relationships, but also be taught effectively from the Bible and be cared for and served by members of the leadership team.

In order to serve students well locally and nationally, we rely on volunteer leaders to work alongside our staff. We cannot function without committed and capable volunteers!

Volunteers are expected to serve in many ways depending on their age, experience, and gifts. Previous experience is not required. Younger and new leaders are often asked to participate in additional training and instruction in order to be equipped to lead well.

Area volunteers are trained by our staff and are an invaluable part of our community. Depending on experience in ministry and the set up of the area or school meeting, volunteers may help with running games, leading music, teaching a Bible study, or running a breakfast meeting. There may also be opportunities to participate in weekend retreats during the school year. For more information about what volunteering would look like in your local area, please contact your local Area Director.

At National Programs, most leaders participate in small group Bible studies and cabin meetings. Depending on experience in ministry, volunteers may be responsible for leading these groups and/or be given other teaching responsibilities. All leaders are given some practical ways to serve (such as setting out and cleaning up snacks) during the program, and all are encouraged to build friendships with students. FOCUS National Programs have a strong sense of community between leaders and students. Leaders participate in group games and most of the activities of the program alongside students.

Volunteers are expected to serve in many ways depending on their age, experience, and gifts. Previous experience is not required. Younger and new leaders are often asked to participate in additional training and instruction in order to be equipped to lead well.

Most leaders participate in small group Bible studies and cabin meetings. Depending on experience in ministry, volunteers may be responsible for leading these groups and/or be given other teaching responsibilities. All leaders are given some practical ways to serve (such as setting out and cleaning up snacks) during the program, and all are encouraged to build friendships with students. FOCUS programs have a strong sense of community between leaders and students. Leaders participate in group games and most of the activities of the program alongside students.

While volunteer leaders are not asked to pay a program fee, they are responsible for covering the cost of their travel to and from National Programs. We do not want the financial burden of travel to be a hindrance to volunteer leaders coming to FOCUS programs. We have a limited amount of travel scholarship money available for each program. Please fill out this form so that as we are able, we can make scholarship money available. In most cases, we do not offer 100% scholarships.