This month, we are highlighting resources that help parishes recognize the people God is already drawing toward the Church, prepare for the blessing and responsibility of growth, and improve the first impressions we make both online and in person. From the convert surge in Colorado Springs to the steady growth of a mission parish in Bend, these stories remind us that people are seeking the stability, beauty, and truth of the Orthodox Faith.
May these resources encourage your parish to pray, invite, welcome, prepare, and take the next faithful step in sharing Christ with your community.
This Month’s Featured Evangelism Resources
The Convert Surge in Colorado Springs
Holy Theophany is now averaging around 300 people on Sundays, with over 100 catechumens at that parish alone. Together with the nearby St. John the Baptist mission, the two communities have around 170 catechumens preparing for illumination. Fr. Andreas reflects on what is drawing people to Orthodoxy, the role of the internet, the hunger for stability and rootedness, and the pastoral challenges that come when large numbers of inquirers and catechumens arrive.
This is an important conversation for any parish that is praying for growth. Growth is a blessing, but it also requires preparation.
- Who Is Our Mission Field? Learning to Recognize Good Soil — Fr. Jon Braun challenges Orthodox Christians to think more deeply about who our mission field really is, and to remember that evangelism means preaching Christ and the Kingdom, not merely promoting the Church.
- Come and See: Learning from St. Philip’s Simple Invitation — A short homily on how one apostle’s natural, unpolished response to Christ became the model for Orthodox evangelism.
Conversion Stories
Lauren, a medical worker from Wenatchee, Washington, shares her journey from being raised agnostic to entering into the ancient Orthodox Christian faith. Watch her story below.
First Impressions
Before most visitors walk through your doors, they have already visited your parish online. This video gives a simple “digital front door” scorecard for looking at your website, Google listing, social media, visitor information, and response time through the eyes of a first-time guest. It is worth watching with whoever handles your parish website, social media, office email, or visitor follow-up.
Featured Website
All Saints of North America Orthodox Church in Maryland Heights, Missouri puts evangelism right at the front door. Their homepage speaks directly to those looking for the ancient faith, while also making clear next steps available through catechism, Bible study, service times, and visitor-friendly FAQs. It is worth a look if your parish wants a website that does more than list information, but actually invites people to come home.
Parish Social Media Spotlight
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in San Francisco is knocking it out of the park with their social media efforts. Their Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube channels offer a living window into the worship, sacred music, homilies, parish events, and everyday life of the Church.
Take some time to scroll through their Facebook and Instagram accounts and see if there are ideas your own parish might be able to use, or if it might inspire someone in your parish to give more attention to social media. This is a helpful example of how a parish can use social media not only for announcements, but to be visible, welcoming, and active in the wider community.
Mission Parish Spotlight: St. Sophia, Bend, Oregon
The St. Sophia Orthodox Christian Mission of Central Oregon in Bend continues to grow as an Orthodox witness for Christ in Central Oregon. The mission has seen a slow but steady stream of visitors and inquirers exploring the Orthodox Faith, and that patient growth is beginning to bear fruit.
In recent months, the mission has received three new converts into the Orthodox Church, one through Baptism and two through Chrismation. The community also celebrated its first baby Churching, a joyful sign of life and growth in the parish. In addition, the mission has now completed its first full year of catechism, helping establish a stronger foundation for those preparing to enter the Church and for the continued formation of the faithful.
As the community continues to grow, the mission is beginning the search for a new location that will be larger, more visible, and better suited for welcoming visitors and serving the Orthodox faithful in the region. Please keep St. Sophia Orthodox Christian Mission of Central Oregon in your prayers as it seeks a larger and more visible home, and as it continues to welcome seekers, form catechumens, and bear witness to Christ in Central Oregon.
Previous Events
America as a Mission Field: What Is the Gospel? — Session 3
America as a Mission Field: What Is the Gospel? — Session 2
America as a Mission Field: What Is the Gospel? — Session 1
Help Grow Orthodoxy in America
The Missions and Evangelism Ministry exists to help the Orthodox faith grow throughout the Metropolis of San Francisco through mission planting, evangelism education, and practical support for parishes like the ones featured in this newsletter.
To sustain and expand our work, we need to raise $35,000 during 2026.
With additional support, we are ready to move forward on three initiatives:
- A Mission Planning Handbook to help parishes respond to growth and new opportunities
- Parish Evangelism Seminars that bring practical training directly to local communities
- Parish Momentum Events, two-day outreach gatherings that explain the Orthodox faith to inquirers and invite them to visit a nearby parish
Consider becoming a monthly supporter. Whether it is $10, $25, or $50 a month, consistent giving is what allows us to plan, build, and serve with confidence. A gift of $25 a month is $300 a year, and when enough people give together at that level, it changes what this ministry can do.
Every gift is tax-deductible through the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco, a registered 501(c)(3).