The Ascension of Focus

Have you noticed that the lunch lines on Wednesdays are especially short? Thank Focus Bible Study. Focus is the Christian affinity group where people from diverse backgrounds can come together to delve into God’s word and learn more about Scripture. This affinity group is now one of the largest in the Tri-Schools. 

The News met with History Department Chair Kevin Hudson, the Focus’s faculty leader for over ten years. Mr. Hudson used to lead bible studies and weekly worship at his old school, The Westminster Schools, in Atlanta. After he moved to Baltimore about ten years ago, Mr. Smythe asked him to lead a Christian bible study at Gilman. 

The club’s mission is “to present the gospel in a truthful way to students who want to come in attendance. We believe in teaching that the Word is the truth, and it’s God’s word, and we also believe in the power of prayer and praying for one another,” said Mr. Hudson.

At the first meetings, only around ten students attended each week. But, each year it grew. Soon, there were twenty, then forty, then fifty. After passing seventy-five student members last year, Focus relocated from the Gilman Room to Centennial Hall to accommodate the larger numbers.

This year, the club has only continued to grow. On October 15, over one hundred and twenty boys were in attendance, and both sides of Centennial were filled up. Jackson Armacost '25, Director of Communications at Focus, believes there is a correlation between the surge in attendance and the younger generation. “I think so,” he commented, “there are a lot of freshmen attending. The more people that come, the more people that tell their friends to come, and then it just spreads. Shoutout to the freshmen.” 

Dr. John Mojzisek, co-faculty advisor of Focus, told The News that if it continued to grow, he would want it to be more of a community. He stated that a goal was “for kids to go for small groups and get together with their small group throughout the week. Maybe we could expand the retreat and small groups, and other places for people to explore their faith.”  This year, the club expects to have 100 students on the Focus retreat in February, which is 30 more attendees than last year.

At the end of every meeting, there is a time of prayer and thanksgiving, where boys can either pray aloud for everyone to hear or silently. This is a foundational part of how we listen and talk with God. Co-president Noah Lawrence ’25 believes students should attend Focus because it “is a place where you can take a break from your busy day in the middle of your week to relax and learn more about the Christian faith.” 

So, if it is a Wednesday lunch and you're hungry for the word of God or just want to experiment, come to Centennial Hall, where Focus will greet you with warm welcomes and open arms.