This month, we are highlighting resources on the Gospel, welcoming visitors, and the growth of mission parishes in our Metropolis. We hope these stories and tools encourage you to pray, invite, welcome, and take the next faithful step in helping Orthodoxy grow in your community.
This Month’s Featured Evangelism Resources
America as a Mission Field: What is the Gospel?
America is a mission field, but what exactly is the Gospel we are called to share? In this first episode of the series, Fr. Barnabas Powell and Fr. John Finley discuss the Gospel as repentance, resurrection, the defeat of death, and the healing love of God, not merely a private transaction or religious slogan.
- The Whole World Is Our Parish: A Biblical Case for Orthodox Evangelism — Fr. Luke Veronis makes the case, from Genesis to Revelation, that missions is not a specialty interest for a few zealous people, but is woven into the very identity of the Orthodox Church.
- The Importance of Sharing Your Faith — Fr. Tom Soroka reminds us that evangelism is not a Protestant idea. It is woven into the fabric of Orthodox worship and life.
Conversion Stories
Ephraim did not grow up going to church. He grew up cattle ranching in remote Arizona, far from town and far from parish life. But through a series of unexpected encounters, questions, struggles, and moments of grace, he found his way to the Orthodox Church. Watch his story below.
First Impressions
Your greeters may be the most important ministry team in your parish, and most churches do not train them at all. This video breaks down seven simple habits that turn an awkward handshake into a reason to come back. It is worth watching with whoever greets at your door on Sunday.
Featured Website
Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Santa Fe, New Mexico leads with the big questions, not just service times and parking. Their homepage treats visitors as seekers, not just guests. It is worth a look if your parish wants a website that speaks to the spiritual hunger behind the visit.
Parish Social Media Spotlight
St. Innocent Orthodox Christian Church in Everson, Washington does a good job of inviting the wider community into the life of the parish. Their social media presence shares services and parish life while also including posts that speak directly to the local community. It is a helpful example of how a parish can use social media to be visible, welcoming, and locally engaged.
Mission Parish Spotlight: St. Nectarios, Pasco, Washington
About a year ago, Deacon Harlambos and Diakonissa Michelle joined the St. Nectarios community in Pasco, Washington. Under the supervision of Fr. Dean Kouldukis, the community has been able to receive Communion regularly, beautification projects have begun including the addition of two canvas icons and one vinyl icon, and the parish celebrated its first in-person Holy Week in several years, bringing in new guests throughout the week.
The parish has been making intentional efforts to be visible and present in the local community, and the results are showing. Attendance has doubled and tripled, with around 20 to 30 people now gathering regularly compared to just a handful before.
The mission welcomed its first catechumen this year, with another inquirer and his family expected to be received soon. New families are coming from as far as 40 miles away. Please keep St. Nectarios in your prayers. The community faces two building needs totaling around $20,000, including parking lot resurfacing required for insurance renewal and a furnace system replacement. If you would like to support St. Nectarios, please be in touch with the Missions and Evangelism Ministry.
Event Highlight
America as a Mission Field: What Is the Gospel? — Session 3
On June 9, Father Andrew Jarmus and Father Christian Siskos continued the conversation on America as a mission field and the Gospel we are called to share. This free online presentation was part of the Missions and Evangelism Ministry’s ongoing series exploring Orthodox evangelism, mission, and the spiritual needs of America today.
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).