Missions & Evangelism
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
These are some of the missions and evangelism ministries being developed in our parish:
Welcome Ministry
Greeting visitors in the narthex, providing them with the appropriate materials for the worship service, connecting them to others who can help them navigate the service, inviting them to participate in the fellowship hour after the service, and following up with them after their visit.
In-Reach and Adult Education
These are activities that provide parishioners with opportunities to learn more about their faith, including Bible and Book Studies, faith classes, retreats, challenges for personal spiritual growth, reading, prayer, etc.
Increasing Parish Visibility
Good signage, a clear, informative, and welcoming website, open houses, usage of social media and local media outlets and other ways of ensuring that anyone looking for an Orthodox Church knows where to find you.
Mochas for Missions
Formerly known as Pennies & Prayers, this campaign is a main source of funding for C.O.M.E., and a way of getting people involved in the Metropolis effort to fulfill the Great Commission. It also provides an opportunity to educate the parish about what C.O.M.E. does to establish new parishes, mentor those that are poised for growth and support local Missions and Evangelism efforts.
Bookstore
More Orthodox Christian literature is available now than ever before. Reading the lives of the Saints, commentaries on Scripture, counsels of Saints and elders and explanations about the Orthodox spiritual life can make a life-changing impact on the parish members.
Outreach Events
These efforts include everything from the Aris Foundation homeless ministry, to offering church tours, to presenting speakers well-known to people outside the community. This would include other Evangelistic Ministry unique to your parish.
OCMC & Foreign Missions Ambassador
The Orthodox Christian Mission Center, OCMC, sends missionaries and mission teams and supports indigenous clergy and seminary programs around the world. Each parish’s OCMC Ambassador will share the work of the OCMC and inspire parishioner participation in international missions.