SEEK Conference Promises Encounter with Christ That Continues

FOCUS announces SEEK 2027 will take place in San Antonio and Columbus, Ohio, building on the success of SEEK 2026.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The SEEK conference, organized annually by the Catholic outreach organization FOCUS, aims to provide attendees with an encounter with Christ that grows into a deeper relationship with God. FOCUS leaders say the conference is just the beginning, as they work to accompany students and parishioners throughout the year through Bible studies, retreats, mission trips, and other resources.

Why it matters

The SEEK conference has become an iconic moment for many young Catholics, igniting or reigniting their faith. By providing an encounter with Christ and then supporting attendees' continued spiritual growth, FOCUS hopes to transform participants into apostles who share God's love with others.

The details

SEEK 2026 drew nearly 27,000 attendees across three locations: Columbus, Denver, and Fort Worth, Texas. For SEEK 2027, the conference will take place January 1-5 in two cities that have hosted it before: San Antonio and Columbus. FOCUS leaders say the two locations will provide a similar experience, but they will work closely with the host dioceses to accommodate their unique needs, such as the large Spanish-speaking population in San Antonio.

  • SEEK 2026 took place in January across three locations.
  • SEEK 2027 will take place January 1-5, 2027 in San Antonio and Columbus, Ohio.

The players

Tom Bruner

Vice president of formative enterprises for FOCUS, who attended SEEK 20 years ago and had a life-changing encounter with Christ.

John Zimmer

Vice president of apostolic development for FOCUS.

Brock Martin

Vice president of parish outreach for FOCUS and the son of FOCUS Founder Curtis Martin.

Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller

Archbishop of San Antonio, who welcomed the news of SEEK 2027 being held in his diocese.

Bishop Earl K. Fernandes

Bishop of Columbus, Ohio, who also welcomed the news of SEEK 2027 being held in his diocese.

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What they’re saying

“The longer I stood there, I became convinced that either I needed to stand up on a chair and lead people out of this room — because it was insane to see all these 18- to 22-year-olds kneeling down on New Year's Eve, or, I thought, 'Lord, that's actually you. And if that's you, I have to change my life.'”

— Tom Bruner, Vice president of formative enterprises for FOCUS (OSV News)

“One of the ends or the 'telos,' if you will, of the conference is to give people a deeper encounter, maybe an initial encounter for the first time in their life, with the living God — with the fact that the God of the universe has a plan for your life, that he knows your name, that he loves you, that he wants to pour out his grace and his mercy into you, into your life.”

— Brock Martin, Vice president of parish outreach for FOCUS (OSV News)

“If they weren't attending a Bible study, they're much more likely to join one. If they're attending a Bible study, they're much more likely to take the next step in leadership and so on.”

— John Zimmer, Vice president of apostolic development for FOCUS (OSV News)

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.