After seven years, the FOCUS Nation Conference once again brought together the FOCUS community from across our Diocese of South-West America for a time of fellowship, worship, learning, and renewal.
Held in the Chicago area from October 2–4, 2026, this year’s FOCUS Nation welcomed more than 250 participants, with individuals, married couples, and families representing every region of our Diocese, along with friends and participants from the Northeast American Diocese. Children were also an integral part of the weekend, with a dedicated children’s program and curriculum designed specifically for them. It was a beautiful opportunity for people of all ages and stages of life to come together, reconnect with old friends, build new relationships, and strengthen the bonds that unite us as Orthodox Christians.
Our keynote speaker for the conference was Rev. Fr. Daniel Mathai, whose messages encouraged and challenged us in our walk with Christ and our vocation as the Body of Christ. He was joined by a wonderful group of workshop leaders, including Rev. Dn. Reuben Thomas, Mrs. Susan Zacharia-Sanders, LCSW, Ms. Sangeetha Thomas, LPC, Mr. George Mitry, and Mr. Mina Awad. We are deeply grateful to each of them for sharing their time, knowledge, experiences, and insights with our FOCUS community.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Diocesan Metropolitan, His Grace Dr. Thomas Mar Ivanios, for his leadership, encouragement, and continued support of the ministry of FOCUS. His guidance and vision have been instrumental in helping FOCUS continue to serve the faithful of our Diocese.
A special word of gratitude goes to the Chicago area for graciously hosting this years FOCUS Nation conference and to all the clergy of the Chicago area for their support and encouragement throughout the conference. We are especially thankful to Abi Achen and the St. Gregorios Elmhurst community for opening their doors and allowing us to use their facility. Their generosity and hospitality played an important role in making the weekend possible.
We are also deeply grateful to all the clergy who attended FOCUS Nation – including many of the regional VPs – and to those clergy who encouraged their FOCUS members to participate. Your presence and support are a powerful reminder that the Church values this ministry and desires to see FOCUS continue to grow and flourish.
We offer a special word of appreciation to the many donors from throughout our Diocese who generously supported FOCUS Nation. Their generosity helped make it possible to bring this gathering back after seven years and allowed participants from across our Diocese to come together. Every contribution, large or small, was an investment in the life of our Church and in the ministry of FOCUS. We are deeply grateful for the trust and generosity shown by so many.
After a seven-year absence, it was truly a blessing to be together again. The joy, fellowship, and enthusiasm throughout the weekend made it evident that there is a great deal of momentum within FOCUS. This gathering reminded us of the importance of coming together, encouraging one another, and creating opportunities for individuals and families to deepen their relationship with Christ and His Church.
As we look toward the future, it is our hope that we can carry this momentum forward and strengthen our FOCUS units in each city and region of our Diocese. FOCUS Nation was not simply a weekend gathering, but a renewed beginning—a reminder of the potential this ministry has to bring people together, build relationships, and strengthen the life of the Church.
We give thanks to God for everyone who contributed through prayer, participation, service, encouragement, and generosity to make FOCUS Nation 2026 possible.
Please continue to keep this ministry and its continued projects in your prayers. May God bless this ministry, strengthen each of our units, and guide us as we seek to build upon this momentum and continue growing together in Christ and in His Holy Church.
To God be the glory!
In Christ,
Fr. Renin Cherian
The Diocese of South-West America was established on April 1, 2009, by Order No. 145/2009, issued by His Holiness Baselios Mar Thoma Didymos I, then Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, on the Apostolic Throne of St. Thomas.
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