Summer Leadership Institute
Aug 15 - 18, 2022 | Dallas, TXSpread the word! Click here to download a parish bulletin insert.
Registration for SLI 2022 is now closed.
Learn what it means to be an Orthodox leader in OCF, the Church, and the world.
Summer Leadership Institute is an in-person program that takes place over the summer with the goal of preparing and empowering faithful future leaders for the world, for the Church, and for OCF. A place to discover and discern your vocation as an Orthodox Christian. Christ calls each of us to be active members of his body, the Church. What does that look like for you? What qualities, priorities, and habits are foundational for you to succeed as a disciple of Christ?
The Sessions
We’ll explore a different leadership topics, presented by Orthodox Christian leaders.
OCF, the Church, and the World: Leadership for a Lifetime
Instructor: Jamil Malone
The foundation of our leadership must be Christ, the Head of the Body. In this session you’ll hear from Jamil Malone, President of the OCF Board of Directors, how he has learned to translate his leadership skills from college, to the Church, to the workplace. We’ll explore how do we keep Christ at the center of your leadership no matter the context and how to translate the skills you’re learning now to your future roles in life. We’ll also think about what it looks like to cultivate an attitude of servant leadership in all aspects of life.
The Kingdom Hidden in My Brother: Our Lives as Liturgy
Instructor: Fr. Vasile Tudora
Our own efforts to live life according to God’s commandments are, of course, foundational to our ability to answer His call to serve as leaders. In this session, we’ll dive deeply into living a life that’s oriented towards Christ in the other, using the Judgement Sunday gospel from Matthew 25 as the guide for our discussion. We’ll think about how to make daily, eucharistic offerings in how we encounter, serve, and love those around us, especially those who are most marginalized in our society.
Nine Ways to Lead (and Fail)
Instructor: Christian Gonzalez
As Christian leaders, both inner development and relationships are key to working on teams and leading others. Using the Enneagram as a tool, we will turn our attention inward through self-examination in order to cultivate our relationship with Christ, understand our relationships with others, and how all of this impacts leadership. Based on your previous exploration of the Enneagram with OCF, you will be placed in one of three levels:
- Level 1: Discover Your Enneagram Type & What It Means for You as a Leader
- Level 2: Leaving Your Number Behind for Wholeness & Health
- Level 3: Spiritual Practices for Every Type
We Offer Unto You What Is Yours
Instructor: Peter Mansour
St. Paul reminds us that, “Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:7). This session will reflect on how freely giving of ourselves is integral to our lives as Christians. We’ll think about the many ways we might give of our time, talent, and treasure today and in the future, and we’ll talk about strategies for maintaining an attitude of cheerfulness and avoiding resentful, compulsory giving even when we don’t feel fully equipped or “in the mood” to do what we have made up our minds to do.
Faith & Culture
Instructor: Christina Andresen
In the Orthodox Church in the US, college may be the first time a person encounters the diversity of Orthodox cultures and practices. This session will give us an opportunity to discuss our own experiences and understanding of pan-Orthodox ministry as well as create some guiding principles for our work as leaders.
The Ministry of Listening
Christians, especially Christian leaders, often feel the need to contribute something when they are with others: advice, opinions, or theological reflection. Unfortunately, many frequently forget that listening can be just as valuable (or even more valuable!) a ministry as speaking. In this session, Katrina Bitar will explore the unique role that listening plays in our own spiritual lives and in our relationships with others.
The Seeds of the Word
Instructor: Fr. Brendan Pelphrey
Every day, we encounter people who have a different worldview and religious take than we do. In this session, we’ll have a chance to learn how we should approach understanding other people’s religious and spiritual experiences and beliefs. We’ll work on building discernment around when to speak up and when to stay silent in religous conversations, and we’ll think hard about how we should proclaim the gospel today and invite others to meet Christ in His Church.
The Speakers

Jamil Malone
Senior Marketing and Business Analyst, Cargill

Fr. Vasile Tudora
Priest, Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver

Katrina Bitar
Director, Youth Equipped to Serve

Peter Mansour
Ministry Coordinator, OCF

Christina Andresen
Director of Ministries, OCF

Fr. Brendan Pelphrey
Priest, Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta

Christian Gonzalez
Director of Ministry, Orthodox Youth Ministry
Dates: Aug 15 – 18, 2022
Cost: $400
Amount covers meals, lodging, and program costs. Participants will provide their own travel expenses, and are expected to arrive to Dallas (preferably Love Field) by 6 PM on August 15th, and plan to depart after 3 PM on August 18th.
Location: Dallas, TX | Catholic Conference and Retreat Center
Are you an incoming chapter president? There may be scholarship money available for you! Email Peter Mansour at peter@ocf.net.
Registration for SLI 2022 is now closed.
Hear what SLI 2020 participants have to say about their experience!
“It opened my mind to a new way of thinking and to become a leader in life and in the church.”
“It was so incredible- the speakers, the content, the discussion and community were top notch!”
“I feel so fortunate to have been able to participate in SLI virtually. I was still able to meet people, really grow my leadership skills, and gain a deeper understanding of my faith. I hadn’t planned on participating in SLI this summer and I felt very fortunate to have been able to add it to my summer!”
“I learned so much […] I met so many people and became better friends with the people I did know. The break out groups and Sunday small groups were awesome!”
“I learned a good deal of valuable information and had the opportunity to meet and speak with wonderful people.”