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Published by the
Antiochian Orthodox
Christian Archdiocese of North America,
January 2005
Over 300 College
Students Move Mountains! |
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A group of College students pause for a picture in
between activities at the OCF East Coast College
Conference. Daily activities included worship,
workshops and social events.
Boston, MA - Mountains were
moved through faith, fellowship nd worship during
the fantastic five day College Conference offered
by Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) focusing on
the theme of "The Faith to Move Mountains". Over
winter break, over 300 Orthodox Christian college
students from across North America attended OCF's
annual College Conference held on the East Coast
at the Antiochian Village in Bolivar, PA and on
the West Coast at St. Nicholas Ranch in Dunlap,
CA.
These conferences, which are planned and run by
members of local OCF groups, aim to promote unity
among Orthodox Christian young adults and to
rejuvenate their faith as they continue on their
personal journey to salvation. This year's
conferences featured two well-known and dynamic
keynote speakers: at the West Coast Conference
renowned author and speaker Fr. Thomas Hopko, Dean
Emeritus of Saint Vladimir's Seminary; and at the
East Coast Conference distinguished author Fr.
John Chryssavgis, Theological Advisor to the
Ecumenical Patriarch on Environmental Issues. In
total the conferences showcased 15 enlightening
and dynamic workshop speakers with topics
including "Faith to Follow vs. Faith to Lead,"
"Faith in Today's Society," "The End of Times and
Life After Death," and "Purity, Virginity, and
Sanctity." In addition to these presentations the
conferences held daily worship services and social
events.
Social activities included snow tubing, a trip to
Sequoia National Forest and Pre-New Year's Eve
Dances. The conferences also offered a focus on
serving others with 120 participants registering
for the National Bone Marrow Registry and 75
letters sent to Orthodox Missionaries and
Prisoners.
This year's conferences were a tremendous success
with 305 total participants and six out of nine
SCOBA jurisdictions represented. One participant
declared, "I felt that this conference was
spiritually moving and a great way to meet others
who share the common interest of Christ."
Another student stated, "The conference was
incredible. Small groups...those are the best,
most inspiring and life-changing times."
Over the past ten years thousands of college
students, high school graduates, and young adults
have gathered for the 5-day events sponsored by
OCF, the official campus ministry of the Standing
Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the
Americas (SCOBA). In reflecting on the growth and
success of the College Conference, Program
Coordinator for OCF, Joseph J. Samra shared,
"These conferences serve as a pivotal mid-year
re-focusing point for so many of the participants.
The fellowship seen in the social activities, the
service accomplished by helping others and the
worship witnessed when 220 students come to
Compline at 1 AM attest to the positive impact 5
days can have in the life of a college student."
About OCF
Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) is the
official campus ministry effort of the Standing
Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the
Americas (SCOBA). It is a Pan-Orthodox effort,
overseen by an Executive Committee and aided by a
sixteen-person Student Advisory Board. The office
is located in Boston, MA, where a full time staff
develops OCF programs and resources.
The staff is available to guide and support local
OCF chapters through communication with the larger
Orthodox community, national programs, and
development of resources for use by Orthodox
college students. SCOBA designated the 3rd Sunday
in September each year as "College Student Sunday"
to raise awareness of our students on campus and
OCF's activities.
OCF will continue to grow these conferences, which
have become powerful influences in the spiritual
lives of Orthodox Christian young adults. For more
information, or to become a participant in future
College Conferences or OCF programs, go to
www.ocf.net or call 800-919-1OCF.
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