(OSV News) — A longtime Catholic youth ministry is welcoming a new leader whose work draws on Church history while developing new evangelization outreaches.
FOCUS, or Fellowship of Catholic University Students, announced Oct. 7 that Jonathan Reyes has been selected to succeed founder Curtis A. Martin, who announced his retirement in December 2025.
The organization, founded in 1998, now has more than 1,000 missionaries serving on over 200 college campuses and in close to 40 parishes throughout the U.S. Earlier this year, FOCUS’ annual SEEK conference drew some 26,000 participants to its three locations in Denver, Columbus, Ohio, and Fort Worth, Texas.
Reyes — who will take over from interim CEO Tim Toman effective Nov. 16 — comes to the role after serving most recently as the Knights of Columbus’ senior vice president of communications.
Prior to his tenure with the Knights, Reyes was the executive director of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops‘ justice, peace and development department, and later the USCCB’s assistant general secretary for integral human development.
A year spent earlier with FOCUS was transformative for Reyes
Having been FOCUS’ vice president of ministry and formation from 2004-2005 — a position he accepted at Martin’s request — Reyes said his prior experience with the organization he will now lead was transformative.
“That invitation (from Martin) changed my life in ways I never could have imagined,” he said. “Over the years, I have watched God use this apostolate to transform thousands of lives on college campuses and in parishes.”
Reyes described “that fruit” as “a sign of God’s blessing and a testimony to the faithful leaders and missionaries who have given themselves completely to the Great Commission,” a reference to Christ’s command to proclaim the Gospel to all.
Along with his time at FOCUS, the USCCB and the Knights of Columbus, Reyes co-founded and led the Augustine Institute, a Catholic formation initiative, and Christ in the City, a youth-oriented formation and volunteer program.
Reyes also served as president and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Denver and as vice president for academic affairs at Christendom College, where he taught history.
In its announcement, FOCUS described Reyes’ work as “grounded in deep study of the Church’s history.”
Research focused on work of Christopher Dawson
Reyes holds a doctorate in European history from the University of Notre Dame, with his research focusing on the work of British Catholic historian Christopher Dawson, who emphasized the relationship between religion and culture.
FOCUS said that Reyes’ study of Dawson “continues to inform his conviction that evangelization is the foundation for transforming communities and culture.”
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said he welcomed Reyes’ appointment “with great joy,” according to a statement shared by FOCUS.
“The friendship Jonathan shares with Curtis Martin gives this transition a special continuity,” said Archbishop Coakley.
Martin said that he and Reyes have known each other “for more than 25 years,” and pointed to his friend’s “extensive leadership experience working with the Church and a deep desire to help others encounter Jesus Christ.”
Archbishop Coakley said he and his fellow bishops “rely deeply upon lay movements such as FOCUS to help bring the Great Commission to fruition in every generation.”
Gina Christian is a multimedia reporter for OSV News. Follow her on X @GinaJesseReina.
