What is FOCUS?

FOCUS is a Catholic collegiate outreach whose mission is to share the hope and joy of the gospel with college and university students. Trained in Church teaching, prayer, sacred Scripture, evangelization and discipleship, FOCUS missionaries encounter students in friendship where they are, inviting them into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and accompanying them as they pursue lives of virtue and excellence. Through Bible studies, outreach events, mission trips and one-on-one discipleship, missionaries inspire and build up students in the faith, sending them out to spread the good news and to live out the Great Commission: Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations (Mt. 28:19). You can find out more at FOCUS.org.

What does FOCUS offer?

Meet Your Missionaries

Margaret White

Team Director

Hey y’all, my name is Margaret White and I am the current team director for the FOCUS team! I grew up in north Alabama and graduated from Troy University with a degree in Elementary Education. After serving my first two years as a missionary in the bayous of Louisiana, my heart is so happy to be back in Sweet Home Alabama! Quality time & acts of service are my top love languages so I’m always down for a good coffee date, movie night with friends, or baking sweets to share!

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Matthew Trushaw

Second Year Missionary

Hey y’all,  my name is Matthew Trushaw and I’m currently a FOCUS missionary at UAB.  I grew up in Minster, Ohio but I went to college in Alabama at Auburn University (War Eagle) and I graduated in mechanical engineering.  After serving a short stint in Mississippi at Southern Miss I’m glad to be back in Sweet Home Alabama.  I’ll be getting married to my lovely fiancée in December.  I love all things sports, cards, and board games.

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Matthew Lauderdale

Third Year Missionary

My name is Matthew Lauderdale and my hometown is Tulsa, Oklahoma. I attended Conception Seminary College for two years and received my Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy. My hobbies include reading, rollerblading, disc golf, and spending time with my beautiful wife, Sarah, and our daughter, Josephine.

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Madeleine Huber

Second Year Missionary

Hi, my name is Madeleine! I was born and raised in Saint Louis and graduated from Mizzou, where I studied Interior Design while competing on the gymnastics team.  After graduating in December, I moved to Birmingham and am thrilled to serve the students here another year.  I enjoy photography, hiking trails, reading, anything sports, and talking about the Lord!

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Sarah Beam Lauderdale

FOCUS Spouse

Hey! My name is Sarah and I'm from Tulsa, Oklahoma. I studied Graphic Design at the University of Tulsa, but I'm much more fond of my minor in Art History. I spent my first two years with FOCUS on mission in Southern California at UC Irvine. I enjoy reading, board games, and drinking lots of coffee.