A New Step for Orthodox Missions in the 21st Century
A New Step for Orthodox Missions in the 21st Century
By Fr. Martin Ritsi, OCMC Executive Director
July 8, 2005
The Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC), St. Augustine, FL - Three
Lebanese Orthodox men were working for a construction company on a job
in eastern Nigeria. While in Nigeria, they came across an old sign in
the village of Ozubulu that read: “Christ the King Orthodox Church.”
After some searching, they were disappointed to find the building run
down and locked. They asked around about its origins, “Was this a church
like the one from their homeland?”
Through their searching and desire to find a church to pray in, they
were finally directed to a nearby village where there was another
Orthodox church, The Dormition of the Theotokos. They set out on a
Sunday morning, hopeful but unsure of what they would find. Upon
entering the church, their efforts were rewarded and they were
overwhelmed with what they saw. A large church structure packed with a
crowd of over 3,000 people, singing and participating in what appeared
to be the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. Incense, icons, vestments, and
other outward forms of Orthodox Christianity were present, but there
was also a unique cultural atmosphere that was characteristic of this
African country. Most impressive to these men was the vibrancy, the joy
and participation the community expressed as they sang the liturgical
responses.
This scenario would have been rare fifteen years ago. But today, because
of a revived Orthodox mission consciousness, it is only one of many
such scenes around the world. It is an indicator that the Orthodox Faith
is spreading vibrantly among the people of Africa and in many countries
around the world.
Similarly, not long ago many people in Orthodox parishes throughout the
United States questioned whether missions was really an Orthodox
practice (which it is!). Today, not only are there people in most
parishes who have heard that our Orthodox Church is involved in missions
again, but also over 800 people have personally traveled into the
mission field as long or short-term missionaries through the Orthodox
Christian Mission Center.
Together with this visible and substantial outreach overseas, there are
behind-the-scenes activities making it all possible. Every day actions
are being taken to nurture the continued growth of these essential
ministries. One exciting new step on the horizon is the ground breaking
for a permanent facility in St. Augustine, Florida. This center is part
of establishing a firm foundation for future plans for the training and
support of expanded missionary activity. Analogous to the words of our
Lord that “you can tell a person’s heart by where his riches are,” so
too one can judge the priorities, vision and plans of an institution by
the buildings, and even the floor plans which are to house its
activities. From this perspective, a glimpse at the new Mission Center
plans is one that brings hope and excitement as its entire concept is
based upon concrete plans for growth and maturation in missionary
outreach.
There will be rooms for housing missionaries and mission team members
prior to being sent into the mission field. Another area is set aside
for their training and orientation. An interactive learning center will
be created for visitors to explore where Orthodox missions are active
and the various programs of the Mission Center. In another area are the
key departmental offices that will initially support 20 and later up to
30 staff who run the diverse programs and ministries of OCMC. All this
will be housed in a 12,000 square foot building located on a 20-acre
site in St. Augustine, Florida. If we tally all that is done now through
our current staff and facilities and then imagine the level of programs
that are planned to function from the new facility, the implications
are astounding and the many more lives to be touched is heartening!
We are in deep gratitude to our generous lead donors who have set the
pace by pledging the majority of funds needed to build our new Center
throughout the initial “silent” phase of our Capital Campaign. During
this time, 75% of the funds needed have been pledged. But it would not
be correct, nor can we finish this vision, without providing the
opportunity to all the Orthodox faithful to be a part of, and give
towards, building this new Center. The programs belong to and represent
all Orthodox Christians of the member churches of SCOBA. Therefore,
opportunities are now available, and will be presented throughout the
remainder of this year, for individuals, parish youth and women’s
groups, and entire congregations to designate gifts “for building the
new Mission Center.”
Some time has passed since the three Lebanese construction workers,
mentioned at the beginning of this article, first attended services at
the Dormition of the Theotokos Church in Nigeria. Since then, they have
been frequenting this parish and are inspired by the vibrancy and love
in Christ that joins them intimately to a people far from their homes.
After the Divine Liturgy, they regularly visit the home of the local
parish priest and are further nurtured spiritually. Through mission
outreach, not only did the Orthodox Christian Faith spread to a new
region and people, but it uplifted these people to a point where they,
in return, are able to minister to persons coming from traditional
Orthodox lands. This transformation is one of the many fruits that stem
from having a Mission Center and missionary outreach. It is also just
one of many such examples, but there are still so many opportunities
waiting.
Mission work is central to the life of the Church. As we move forward in
faithfulness, this next step in firming the foundations of a Mission
Center will prove to be a key factor in strengthening our position as we
reach out with the love of Christ to new horizons in the 21st century.
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The Orthodox Christian Mission Center: Helping Orthodox Christians
respond to Christ''s call to preach, teach, baptize, minister to the
poor and make disciples of all nations as the official international
mission agency of the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox
Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA).
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