BROOKLINE, MA — Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF), the
official campus ministry of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops,
conducted another successful Summer Leadership Institute last month at the St.
Iakovos Retreat Center in Kansasville, WI. This year, OCF equipped 44 Orthodox
Christian college students with the knowledge, skills, and practices they need
to be young Orthodox leaders in OCF, the Church, and the world.
SLI 2019 featured workshops
led by OCF staff and student leaders, as well as experts in Orthodox theology,
spirituality, and pastoral ministry – helping prepare participants to be
Christ-centered servant leaders. In addition to the OCF staff, this year’s
speakers included Fr. Panagiotis Boznos, Christian Gonzalez, Anna Kallis, Fr.
Philip LeMasters, Matthew Namee, Jonathan Pageau, and Fr. Brendan Pelphrey.
Focusing on how our common
Orthodox tradition is at the core of servant leadership, SLI serves students
from various educational and jurisdictional backgrounds. Dimitri Gagianas, a
senior biomedical engineering student at Ohio State University from the Greek
Orthodox Archdiocese of America, shared how SLI impacted him this year:
“SLI is an experience you
can’t get anywhere else. It allowed me to explore high-level theological
concepts and discuss them with students my own age. I especially benefited from
Jonathan Pageau who provided us a deeper understanding of symbolism in our
society, culture, and faith and how this symbolism finds its truest expression
in the Church. Being able to think deeply about theology and ministry at SLI
has impacted how I will serve in my role as an OCF leader.”
The newly-appointed OCF
Executive Director, Dn. Marek Simon, was in attendance throughout the week and
offered the following reflection about SLI:
“The
Summer Leadership Institute was a wonderful gathering of Orthodox Christian college
students seeking to learn more about their faith, engage with Orthodox leaders
and fellow peers on significant topics, and develop their leadership skills as
young adults.”
Prior
to the official start of the Summer Leadership Institute, the seventeen-member
OCF Student Leadership Board met for three days to make plans for the events,
programs, and resources they will implement in the 2019-2020 academic year.
Their work is central to the ministry of OCF and was highlighted throughout
SLI, where attending students were given opportunities to learn from and serve
under the Student Leadership Board members.
Summer
Leadership Institute 2019 was made possible, in part, by a generous grant from
National Philoptochos and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. For more
information about Summer Leadership Institute visit www.ocf.net/sli. For further questions
and inquiries, please email studentleadership@ocf.net.
OCF transforms the lives
of college students in the United States and Canada by guiding them along the
path to Jesus Christ through His Church, cultivating a campus community of
worship, witness, service, fellowship and education. OCF encourages you to learn
more and to support the ongoing work of this vital ministry by visiting OCF’s
redesigned website (www.ocf.net) or emailing the OCF
National Office (info@ocf.net).
Brookline, MA – Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF)—the official college ministry for all twelve (12) jurisdictions of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops—has named Rev. Deacon Marek Simon as Executive Director. He will begin his tenure on September 16, 2019. Dn. Marek will be formally introduced to the dozens of student leaders attending OCF’s Summer Leadership Institute being held August 14-17 at St. Iakovos Retreat Center in Kansasville, WI.
Deacon Marek with his wife, Allison, and two sons – Elias and Luke.
After
graduating from St. Vladimir’s Seminary in 2001, Dn. Marek has been serving at
Antiochian Village Camp since 2002, where he oversees the development and
advancement efforts of the camp. He also serves as supervisor of the camp’s
staff and manages its team-building ropes course program. During this
time, Dn. Marek remained committed to campus ministry, serving as the advisor
for OCF’s Student Leadership Board from 2005-2009.
“I first
learned about the scope of OCF’s work in 2002, and now I am both excited
and honored to focus my efforts in hopes of advancing the mission, vision,
and goals of OCF,” said Dn. Marek, speaking of his long history and bright
future with OCF.
“I am
passionate about working with young people as they navigate their journey into
adulthood, experience college, explore vocation, and seek to grow in their
faith. I look forward to working with the staff of OCF, college students,
clergy, lay leaders, and other Orthodox ministries to share the Good News of
Christ throughout our college communities,” he added.
Deacon Marek’s
hiring is a significant part of the growth and restructuring of the
organization currently being conducted by OCF’s Board of Directors. “On behalf
of our dedicated staff and the students we serve, I look forward to working
with Dn. Marek as a fellow colleague in realizing the Board’s vision of
bringing Christ in His fullness to the college campus,” said Dn. Alexander
Cadman, Board Chairman.
OCF
transforms the lives of college students in the United States and Canada by
guiding them along the path to Jesus Christ through His Church, cultivating a
campus community of worship, witness, service, fellowship and education. You
can learn more about the ongoing work of this vital ministry by visiting ocf.net or emailing info@ocf.net.
Brookline, MA – Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF), the official campus ministry of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops, announces the launch of its annual First Forty Days campaign—a Churchwide partnership of OCF and each Assembly Member’s youth department to connect students to Christ and His Church during college.
With the blessing and encouragement of His Eminence Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa, OCF’s Episcopal Liaison to the Assembly of Bishops, all parishes are invited to participate in the First Forty Days Initiative. By submitting student contact information directly to OCF, parents and parishes can be assured that their students will be contacted by local OCF leaders within the first forty days of the academic year, providing them opportunities to make Christ and His Church central to their life on campus.
During the first six weeks of their time on campus, college students form the relationships and habits that last their entire college career. So that it is the Church that becomes a foundation for their college experience, First Forty Days ensures that every student becomes connected to an OCF chapter and a local parish within this time period.
Parents, parishes, and youth program coordinators can submit student contact information for their graduating high school seniors at www.ocf.net/firstfortydays. All student information submitted by July 15, 2019 will be distributed appropriately in advance of the fall semester.
Each student’s contact information will remain private and shared only with the appropriate local and regional OCF leaders. Please contact OCF at firstfortydays@ocf.net with any questions regarding this important effort.
OCF transforms the lives of college students in the United States and Canada by guiding them along the path to Jesus Christ through His Church, cultivating a campus community of worship, witness, service, fellowship and education. You can learn more about the ongoing work of these vital ministries by visiting ocf.net or emailing info@ocf.net.
Continuing our series of American saints, our newest “There’s a Saint for That” guide features St. Raphael of Brooklyn. Learn how he brought together people of different backgrounds, founded numerous parishes, and humbly served the Church for many years.
Click Here to Learn More!
Every year, OCF selects a team of talented students to take on leadership positions in Orthodox campus ministry. The Student Leadership Board (SLB) works with staff and clergy volunteers to plan and implement the programs of OCF, advise and inspire their peers on campuses, and develop new resources and programs for Orthodox college students. OCF is currently seeking applicants for all positions for the 2019-2020 Student Leadership Board.
Serving on the SLB offers students a unique opportunity to develop their leadership skills while growing in their faith and giving back to the Church. Current Student Leadership Board Chairman, Caroline Mellekas, encourages any student who has been impacted by OCF to consider applying, “If you feel affected by the mission of OCF and called to carry it through offering your own gifts, then this is what’s next for you.”
As part of their training, SLB members will attend OCF’s Summer Leadership Institute free of charge! Additionally, SLB members will receive priority registration for College Conference and Real Break. Recommendations for applicants and questions can be directed at studentleadership@ocf.net. Applications are due MARCH 29, 2019.
We at OCF are grateful that God has worked wonders through this ministry. This #GivingTuesday, join us in supporting this vital ministry to college students.
BROOKLINE, MA — Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF), the official campus ministry of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops, is pleased to announce that new $200 need-based scholarships for College Conference Midwest 2018 are now available, made possible by two generous donors.
The registration cost for College Conference Midwest is $325 per person. The $200 scholarship would lower the cost of registration to $125 for selected applicants. Registration includes food, lodging, fellowship activities, and engaging keynote addresses and workshop sessions.
OCF’s College Conference Midwest will be held from December 27-30, 2018 at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center in Kansasville, WI. The 2018 Conference Theme is “Who Do You Say That I Am?” Fr. Barnabas Powell, parish priest at Sts. Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene Greek Orthodox Church in Cumming, GA and sole author and contributor of Faith Encouraged Ministries, will serve as the Keynote Speaker (https://blogs.ancientfaith.com/faithencouraged/about/).
For more information about College Conference Midwest 2018, the scholarships, or to register, visit http://www.ocf.net/events/college-conference-midwest-2018/. In addition, please feel free to contact OCF’s National Programs Manager, Donna Levas for more information: donna@ocf.net or (617) 850-1227.
BROOKLINE, MA–It is with great sadness that we hear of the shooting in Thousand Oaks, California. Our prayers go out to the grieving families of the loved ones lost in the violent shooting. We praise the heroic efforts of the brave individuals who put themselves in harm’s way to save others. There were many college students at the establishment at the time of the shooting. Students face many challenges while at college, but this should not be one of them. The OCF Board of Directors, the staff, Student Leadership Board, Spiritual Advisors and Lay Leaders all wish to extent our prayers to all those suffering from this senseless act of violence. We pray the faith of the individuals affected by this tragedy will help in bearing with the burden of such tremendous grief.
Fr. Barnabas Powell to headline OCF’s College Conference Midwest 2018
BROOKLINE, MA — Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF), the official campus ministry of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops, will welcome Fr. Barnabas Powell as the Keynote Speaker for College Conference Midwest 2018.
Fr. Barnabas is the parish priest at Sts. Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene Greek Orthodox Church in Cumming, GA. He is also the sole author and contributor of Faith Encouraged Ministries, a media ministry hosted on Ancient Faith, https://blogs.ancientfaith.com/faithencouraged/about/.
OCF’s College Conference Midwest will be held from December 27-30, 2018 at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center in Kansasville, WI. The 2018 Conference Theme, around which Fr. Barnabas’s keynote addresses will be based, is “Who Do You Say That I Am?”
Limited spots remain, so college students are encouraged to register soon. The registration cost for College Conference Midwest is $325 per person. Registration includes food, lodging, fellowship activities, and engaging workshops with great speakers. Scholarships are available on a limited and first-come/first-served basis.
For more information about College Conference Midwest 2018 or to register, visit http://www.ocf.net/events/college-conference-midwest-2018/. In addition, please feel free to contact OCF’s National Programs Manager, Donna Levas for more information: donna@ocf.net or (617) 850-1227.
Our newest “There’s a Saint for That” guide features St. John Maximovitch. Learn about his life in Russia, China, and America, his simplicity, and the many miracles he has and does work for God’s people.
Our newest “There’s a Saint for That” guide features St. Nikolai Velimirovich. Learn about his sufferings at Dachau, his time in America, and his great love for sharing Christ’s gospel even in the midst of difficult times.
Sunday, October 7th is College Student Sunday. This Sunday is designated by the Assembly of Bishops for parishes to support the work of Orthodox Christian Fellowship. Our Student Leadership Board members will be present at parishes across the US to share their OCF stories and answer your questions. If you are in the area, we’d love to see you at one of these parishes.
St. George (GOA), Eugene, OR: Sophia Fraser, Northwest Student Leader
St. Andrew (GOA), San Luis Obispo, CA: Zoe Kanakis, Southwest Student Leader
Registration Opened for OCF’s Real Break 2019 on October 1, 2018 at 12:00PM EDT
BROOKLINE, MA — Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF), the official campus ministry of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops, opened registration for OCF’s Real Break 2019 on October 1, 2018 at 12:00PM EDT.
OCF’s Real Break aims to prepare college students to be socially-informed Orthodox Christian citizens of this world, while directing their focus on the world to come – the kingdom of heaven. Built on a foundation of fellowship, education, worship, and service, Real Break provides students the opportunity to understand the true meaning of seeing Christ in the other – traveling to all parts of the world deepening their faith, serving those in need, and cultivating relationships with like-minded peers.
OCF will offer nine Real Break trips in 2019. March Spring Break trips include Romania, Albania (OCMC), Houston (IOCC), Project Mexico, Jerusalem, Thessaloniki, and Alaska. OCF will also offer two summer 2019 trips: one to Mt. Athos (male only) and one to Jerusalem (female only).
Registration costs vary according to the trip and limited scholarships are available for those who qualify.
For more information about Real Break 2019 or to register, visit http://www.ocf.net/real-break-2019/. In addition, please feel free to contact OCF’s National Programs Manager, Donna Levas for more information: donna@ocf.net or (617) 850-1227.
Orthodox Christian Fellowship’s College Student Sunday is Scheduled for October 7, 2018
BROOKLINE, MA – The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America has designated October 7, 2018 as College Student Sunday. On College Student Sunday, parishes recognize and honor their Orthodox College Students and take a special collection to support the work of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship, the Assembly’s official campus ministry. Through contributions from canonical jurisdictions and the support of generous donors nationwide, OCF sustains a network of over 350 on-campus chapters, while also providing dynamic programming through district and regional retreats, College Conference, Real Break, and the Summer Leadership Institute.
“OCF has a mission of reaching out to Orthodox young adults…in a way that keeps and strengthens their relationships with Jesus Christ,” said His Grace Bishop Gregory of Nyssa, Metropolitan-elect and OCF Episcopal Liaison to the Assembly of Bishops. Encouraging all Orthodox faithful to remember Orthodox young adults as College Student Sunday approaches, he affirmed OCF’s mission to the campus. “It is a time of physical, emotional, spiritual, and social challenges. I believe it is important—indeed critical—for the Church to help facilitate as much as possible these young adults finding each other for fellowship and support.”
For more information about College Student Sunday 2018 or to access an outline to support your parishes efforts on October 7 visit ocf.net/parents-parishes/college-student-sunday/. In addition, please contact OCF’s National Programs Manager, Donna Levas, for more information: donna@ocf.net or (617) 850-1227.
Registration Opens for OCF’s College Conference 2018 on September 10, 2018 at 12:00PM EDT
BROOKLINE, MA — Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF), the official campus ministry of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops, will open registration for OCF’s College Conference 2018 on September 10, 2018 at 12:00PM EDT.
Each year during Christmas Break, OCF’s College Conference hosts hundreds of college students from across North America for four days of fellowship, education, and prayer. OCF will offer two College Conferences from December 27-30, 2018 – College Conference East at the Antiochian Village (Bolivar, PA) and College Conference Midwest at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center (Kansasville, WI).
The 2018 Conference Theme, around which the keynote and workshop sessions will be based, is “Who Do You Say That I Am?” Keynote Speakers include Fr. Silviu Bunta (East) and Fr. Barnabas Powell (Midwest).
Registration cost for College Conference (East or Midwest) is $325 per person. Registration includes food, lodging, and engaging workshops with great speakers. Scholarships are available for both conferences on a limited and first-come/first-served basis.
For more information about College Conference 2018 or to register, visit ocf.net/college-conference/. In addition, please feel free to contact OCF’s National Programs Manager, Donna Levas for more information: donna@ocf.net or (617) 850-1227.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of one of our donors, any student who would like to attend the Summer Leadership Institute August 15-18 is now eligible for a full scholarship. Scholarships will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Students may fill out the form below to receive a scholarship.
BROOKLINE, MA — With its annual Summer Leadership Institute, Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF)—the official college ministry for all twelve (12) jurisdictions of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops—continues its mission to develop Orthodox leaders to serve their local communities and the Church at large. OCF is pleased to announce that registration is now open for this year’s conference, which will be held from August 15-18, 2018 at St. Iakovos Retreat Center in Kansasville, WI. Details and registration information can be found at www.ocf.net/sli.
Made possible in part by a generous grant from Leadership 100, the Summer Leadership Institute is a four-day training program focused on developing in students the knowledge, skills, and practices of good Orthodox leaders. Students will participate in workshops led by OCF staff and student leaders as well as experts in Orthodox theology, spirituality, and pastoral ministry to help prepare them to be Christ-centered servant leaders.
Parishes and OCF advisors are encouraged to promote this program and to sponsor a student to attend the 2018 Summer Leadership Institute, helping to cultivate a new generation of leaders for local campuses, parishes, and the greater Church. Please email us at studentleadership@ocf.net with questions regarding the Summer Leadership Institute.
OCF encourages you to learn more and to support the ongoing work of this vital ministry by visiting its website or emailing the OCF National Office (info@ocf.net).
Brookline, MA–As the official campus ministry of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops, Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) is pleased to announce the launch of its annual First Forty Days campaign – working together with the various Orthodox youth departments to connect students to Christ and His Church during college.
Most students form the relationships and habits that last the entirety of their college career within the first six weeks of their time on campus. Therefore, OCF strives to make sure that every student is connected to an on-campus chapter and local parish within this time period.
With the blessing and encouragement of His Grace Bishop Gregory of Nyssa (ACROD), the episcopal liaison for OCF to the Assembly of Bishops, OCF requests that all parishes participate in the First Forty Days. This initiative ensures that the Church is present during the crucial first forty days of campus life through the ministry of OCF. By submitting student contact information directly to OCF, parents and parishes can be assured that their students will be contacted by local OCF leaders within the first forty days of the academic year.
Parents, parishes, and youth program coordinators can submit student contact information for their graduating high school seniors at www.ocf.net/firstfortydays. All student information submitted by July 15, 2018 will be distributed appropriately in advance of the fall semester.
Please contact OCF at firstfortydays@ocf.net with any questions regarding this important initiative.
St. George (GOA), Eugene, OR: Sophia Fraser, Northwest Student Leader
BROOKLINE, MA — With its annual Summer Leadership Institute, Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF)—the official college ministry for all twelve (12) jurisdictions of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops—continues its mission to develop Orthodox leaders to serve their local communities and the Church at large. OCF is pleased to announce that registration is now open for this year’s conference, which will be held from August 15-18, 2018 at St. Iakovos Retreat Center in Kansasville, WI. Details and registration information can be found at 