Ann & I traveled to New York City with Elizabeth & Al Zadig to attend a celebration by FOCUS of its 50th Anniversary to honor its founder, our very own Rev. Dr. Peter Moore.
FOCUS, which stands for “Fellowship of Christians in Universities and Schools,” was established as a Christian evangelical ministry to young people attending independent schools. FOCUS began with a vision given to Peter Moore, who founded and led the ministry for its formative years. Later, Peter even returned to serve as its Director for several more years. FOCUS has grown dramatically since its inception and has changed an enormous number of lives.
The celebration began on Saturday with a packed house of hundreds of attendees for a seminar featuring speakers and panel discussions, including a keynote address by Dr. Tim Keller (author of Reason for God, among other books). The house was packed for the seminar, filled with supporters of FOCUS, people whose lives have been touched profoundly by FOCUS, all of whom seemed to know and love Peter. We talked with both young and old, and it was obvious to us how important FOCUS has been and still is in their lives. There is no doubt that Christ has been introduced to many through this gentle, yet very “focused” organization.
A dinner celebration was held that evening at the Harvard Club. Over two hundred people gathered in the impressive hall of the Club for a cocktail hour before dinner. At dinner as we enjoyed a delicious meal and the company of many brothers and sisters in Christ, we listened as one after another person spoke about Peter and Sandra and the impact they had had through the founding and nurturing of FOCUS. It was clear to us that from its humble beginnings at a prep school 50 years ago, FOCUS has grown across the country with great success, all because a young Peter Moore saw a need and asked God to help him fill it. We were uplifted and excited about FOCUS and awed (once again) by the work that God has done through Peter and Sandra Moore.
Along with the Zadigs, we planned to leave on Monday to allow an opportunity to attend Sunday worship services and to enjoy exploring the City. We began our Sunday at a small Episcopal Church on the lower east side where we experienced a sedate, worshipful service of Holy Communion. Later that day, we attended a worship service at the Hunter College auditorium where Redeemer Church, led by Dr. Tim Keller, has a college ministry. I’m not sure what we expected, but when we entered the large auditorium with kids pouring in, we knew something special was happening. A gospel jazz group was on stage, and with what soon became a filled to overflowing space, we were surrounded by music and praise for Jesus Christ. Dr. Keller spoke and we shared communion with what must have been over 1000 people.
I am thankful to have had the experience of celebrating with Peter and FOCUS and witnessing the Christian outreach going on in NYC. As always seems to happen when God is involved, I came away blessed. I also brought home with me a greater appreciation for what God has given us in the ministry of Peter and Sandra Moore in Charleston and at St. Michael’s. God is so good. ~ Fred Willis