Discipleship Beyond the College Campus: Joe Miller on FOCUS’ Growing Parish Mission

FOCUS is no longer just a college campus movement—it’s a movement for the entire Church.

In our latest on-the-road episode of The Engaged Parish Podcast, recorded live from the Catholic Media Conference in Phoenix, we sat down with Joe Miller, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications for FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students).

Joe walks us through the incredible evolution of FOCUS since its founding in 1998—from campus ministry to a full-fledged presence in Catholic parishes across the country. With over 1,000 missionaries on 200+ campuses and a growing footprint in more than 25 parishes, FOCUS is forming missionary disciples in every season of life.

The key to everything we do at FOCUS is spiritual multiplication. Jesus worked closely and intentionally with a few—then sent them out to do the same.
– Joe Miller, Sr. Vice President of Marketing & Communications at FOCUS

Joe shares how FOCUS is actively equipping parishes with tools for spiritual multiplication through small groups, Bible studies, leadership development, and a renewed focus on personal accompaniment. He also discusses new digital tools like the SEEK Replay app and how FOCUS is seeing some of the highest engagement rates in Catholic digital media.

Whether you're a parish leader, former missionary, or someone who’s simply eager to evangelize, this episode offers an exciting glimpse into how the FOCUS mission continues to grow and adapt—all while staying faithful to the core mission: to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

Watch or listen now and be sure to join us this October for the Engage Virtual Summit, where you’ll hear from FOCUS leaders Curtis Martin, Brock Martin, and (maybe!) Joe himself.