John Zimmer

Welcome! Barbara and I are glad to have you join us!

Where I serve

Barbara and I (John) joined FOCUS in 1999, missionaries #4 and 5! It was an exciting time then, and it remains so today, even though our roles have changed. After serving on campus for a few years, I have worked in a variety of roles within FOCUS for the last 20 years, including directing the national campus apostolate, overseeing the ongoing training and formation of all our missionaries, and leading our effort to expand the work of FOCUS into parishes and non-campus arenas. I currently serve as the Vice President of Apostolic Development, helping ensure the excellence of the mission in the field, directing our internal and external communications, and leading our partnerships and church relationships. We are blessed that Barbara is able to be a stay-at-home mom, and remains engaged in the work of FOCUS through mentoring other young moms.

My Story

Like many of those we serve, although I was raised in an amazing Catholic home, my relationship with God was significantly challenged when I was at college. Over time I put God onto the back burner and then eventually ignored Him altogether. When I moved to Seattle to finish my undergraduate degree, my faith life was nearly extinct, and my moral life was guided more by Hollywood and the music industry than by the teachings of Christ. Thankfully, I met some amazing Catholics who had a profound impact on my life through their faithful witness, and in October of 1997, I surrendered my life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. It has been a wild and amazing ride ever since, as I get to share my faith with others and invite them into the adventure of a life lived for God and for others.

I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Washington in Seattle, and hold a Masters Degree in Business from the University of Denver, and a Masters Degree in Theology from the Augustine Institute, also of Denver. Prior to joining FOCUS, I worked in corporate technology sales. My wife and I are blessed with seven amazing children, and are so grateful to continue serving the mission of the Church through FOCUS.

Your Impact

When I answered the call to join FOCUS, I made the decision to rely on the spiritual and financial support of mission partners to help me through this mission. I’ve been blessed with the most incredible people who have journeyed with me. If you are interested in partnering with me, please let me know of the best way to reach you and I will schedule an appointment. I’d be honored to share this mission with you.

SUPPORT John

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Know, Love and Serve God

We encounter God in an intimate relationship through daily prayer, the sacraments and the Scriptures.

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Teach Others to Share Christ

We teach students how to share the gospel, who in turn teach other students how to pass it on.

Host	Retreat Type	Start Date	End Date
Tulane University	Way of the Disciple	09/05/24	09/07/24
University of Nebraska Lincoln	The Sanctifier	09/13/24	09/15/24
Parish Outreach	The Father’s House	09/16/24	09/18/24
Kansas State University	The Father’s House	09/20/24	09/22/24
University of Delaware	Rec	09/20/24	09/22/24
University of South Carolina – Columbia	Rec	09/27/24	09/29/24
St. Francis University	The Father’s House	10/04/24	10/06/24
Nicholls State University	The Father’s House	10/04/24	10/06/24
Northwestern State University	The Father’s House	10/11/24	10/13/24
University of Memphis	The Father’s House	10/11/24	10/13/24
Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville	The Father’s House	10/18/24	10/20/24
Ohio State University	The Father’s House	10/18/24	10/20/24
University of Dallas	The Sanctifier	10/24/24	10/26/24
Central Connecticut State University	The Father’s House	10/25/24	10/27/24
Universidad de Monterrey	The Father’s House	10/25/24	10/27/24
California State University – Fullerton	The Father’s House	10/25/24	10/27/24
Sts. Anne and Joaquim, Fargo, ND	Way of the Disciple	11/01/24	11/03/24
University of Krems	Men’s	11/01/24	11/03/24
University of Mary	The Father’s House	11/08/24	11/10/24
DePauw University	Rec	11/08/24	11/10/24
Philanthropy Engagement	Way of the Disciple	11/15/24	11/17/24
University of Passau	Rec	11/21/24	11/23/24
Texas A&M University	The Sanctifier	02/07/25	02/09/25
FOCUS Greek Southeast	The Father’s House	02/14/25	02/16/25
FOCUS Greek Midwest	The Father’s House	02/14/25	02/16/25
Worcester Polytechnic Institute	The Sanctifier	02/14/25	02/16/25
FOCUS Greek Southwest	The Father’s House	02/21/25	02/23/25
Wayne State University	The Father’s House	02/21/25	02/23/25
University of Illinois-Chicago	The Sanctifier	02/21/25	02/23/25
Queens College of the City University of New York	The Father’s House	03/07/25	03/09/25
Nicholls State University	Way of the Disciple	03/07/25	03/09/25
Grand Valley State University	The Father’s House	03/28/25	03/30/25
University of Northern Iowa	Way of the Disciple	04/03/25	04/05/25
University of Nebraska Lincoln	The Father’s House	04/04/25	04/06/25
Arizona State University	Men’s	02/07/25	02/09/25
University of Nebraska at Kearney	Rec	09/27/24	09/29/24