Our Mission
To be led by the Holy Spirit in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with as many people as possible by nurturing and affirming the God-ordained institution of the family and proclaiming biblical truths worldwide.
Ultimately, we believe the purpose of life is to know and glorify God through an authentic relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ. This purpose is lived out first within our own families then extended, in love, to an increasingly broken world that desperately needs Him. Through our radio shows, podcasts, websites, social media outreach, conferences, marriage intensives, magazines, books, counseling consults, and much more, Focus on the Family equips parents, children, and spouses to thrive in an ever-changing, ever-more-complicated world. If you feel there is a specific way we can help your family, or if you’d simply like to know more about us, please browse our website or call us toll-free at 1-800-A-FAMILY.
Our Guiding Principles
Since Focus on the Family’s primary reason for existence is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ through a practical outreach to homes, we have firm beliefs about both the Christian faith and the importance of the family. This ministry is therefore based upon six guiding principles that are apparent at every level throughout the organization. These “pillars” are drawn from the wisdom of the Bible and the Judeo-Christian ethic, rather than from the humanistic notions of today’s theorists. In short, Focus on the Family is a reflection of what we believe to be the recommendations of the Creator Himself, who ordained the family and gave it His blessing.
Read Our Guiding Principles here.
Our Core Values
You can learn a great deal about an organization through its basic operating principles and the internal belief system it espouses. The values are a practical outgrowth of a group’s perception of ultimate reality—what it considers important. As members of the Focus on the Family staff, we are filled with a zeal for God. We see our work as worship, the act of bringing honor and glory to our Father and Creator. The following core values are a practical expression of this all-consuming passion.
Read Our Core Values here.
Our Beliefs
Our ministry is established upon seven essential tenets of the orthodox Christian faith. These central affirmations define us as an organization, explain our motives and are evident in our purposes and goals. They sum up our worldview, express our devotion to God and provide the framework in which we carry out our work to families around the world.
Read Our Beliefs here.
Our Guiding Principles
Principle One: The Preeminence of Evangelism
We believe the ultimate purpose of life is to know and glorify God and to attain eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord, beginning within our own families and then reaching out to a suffering humanity that needs to embrace His love and sacrifice.
“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.’ ” Mark 16:15
Principle Two: The Permanence of Marriage
We believe the institution of marriage is a sacred covenant designed by God to model the love of Christ for His people and to serve both the public and private good as the basic building block of human civilization. Marriage is intended by God to be a thriving, lifelong relationship between a man and a woman enduring through trials, sickness, financial crises and emotional stresses. Therefore, Christians are called to affirm and proclaim God’s marriage design and to minister in Christ’s name to those who suffer the consequences of its brokenness.
” ‘Haven’t you read,’ He replied, ‘that at the beginning the Creator “made them male and female,” and said, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh”? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.’ ” Matthew 19:4-6
Principle Three: The Value of Children
We believe children are a heritage from God and a blessing from His hand. Parents are therefore accountable to Him for raising, shaping and preparing them for a life of service to His Kingdom and to humanity.
“Has not the Lord made them [a husband and wife] one? In flesh and spirit they are His. And why one? Because He was seeking godly offspring.” Malachi 2:15
Principle Four: The Sanctity of Human Life
We believe human beings are created by God in His image. Therefore every person, from conception to natural death, possesses inherent dignity and immeasurable worth—including preborn children, elderly individuals, those with special needs and others marginalized by society. Christians, then, are called to defend, protect, and value all human life.
“For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:13-14a
Principle Five: The Importance of Social Responsibility
We believe God has ordained the social institutions of family, church, and government for the benefit of mankind and as a reflection of His divine nature. Therefore, Christians are called to influence these institutions according to God’s design and purpose. Such involvement is in obedience to Christ’s lordship over all creation and is required by His command to care for the well-being of all people.
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24
“And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body.” Ephesians 1:22-23a
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Romans 13:1
Principle Six: The Value of Male and Female
We believe God created humans in His image, intentionally and immutably male and female, each bringing unique and complementary qualities to sexuality and relationships. Sexuality is a glorious gift from God to be offered back to Him either in marriage for procreation, union, and mutual delight or in celibacy for undivided devotion to Christ. Christians are called to proclaim the truth and beauty of God’s design and the redemption of sexual brokenness in our lives and culture through Jesus Christ.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2
Our Core Values
Core Value One: Be There!
We believe there is nothing more important than encouraging people to respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, ensuring they will “be there” in heaven, beginning first in our families and reaching beyond to the rest of the world.
Core Value Two: It's Not Our Ministry
This ministry was God’s idea, and we do not own it. We are simply the stewards of the opportunities and the resources He sends our way.
Core Value Three: We're Here to Meet Needs
Focus on the Family started out, figuratively, by hanging up a sign that read, “Help for Families Here.” Our primary focus each day is simply meeting the needs of hurting families and friends. It is our calling.
Core Value Four: Respond With a Personal Touch
People will make decisions about who Jesus is in response to the way we treat them and the way we treat each other. Therefore, our responses will be personal, gracious, timely and generous.
Core Value Five: Live With Integrity
Because we serve an all-seeing God and are also subject to public scrutiny, we attempt to be above reproach in the operation of this ministry by holding ourselves to the highest standards of accountability. We want to be worthy of the trust that has been placed in us by our friends.
Core Value Six: Strive for Excellence
We “sweat the details” to provide the highest level of quality we can achieve for the glory of God and the benefit of our constituents.
Safe-Guarding the Legacy of Focus on the Family
Christian organizations face immense pressure to compromise on their mission and biblical principles. We want to provide assurance that our dedication to uphold the fidelity and faithfulness of Focus on the Family is unwavering. Read more about our commitment here.
