On October 24th, the St Innocent Society welcomed Christina Andresen, Director of Ministries for the Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF), to deliver an engaging presentation in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium. The event focused on OCF's transformative new initiative: the Campus Missionary Initiative, a groundbreaking effort to recruit, train, and send out full-time campus missionaries to serve Orthodox college students.
Christian Andresen speaks to the St Innocent Society and guests in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium, Oct. 24, 2024
Christina highlighted how these missionaries will act as bridges between campus and parish life, fostering stronger connections within the Church and providing vital support for young Orthodox Christians navigating their faith during college. The initiative offers a unique vocational path for those passionate about ministry, with seminary study as an excellent preparation for this role.
The talk also emphasized the growing relationship between OCF and theological schools like St Vladimir’s Seminary. Christina shared insights on how this partnership can serve both students and the Church. For college students exploring their next steps, seminary study can be a natural progression, whether as preparation for ordained ministry or for lay roles such as campus chaplaincy. The Campus Missionary Initiative, in particular, creates a meaningful vocational opportunity post-seminary for those not immediately pursuing ordination.
St Innocent Society member Laura Ionescu (M.Div. ’25) reflected on the evening's impact: “I truly think the event with Christina planted many seeds. In whatever capacity students end up using the information she shared—becoming missionaries, working with missionaries as future priests, or simply being more aware of this resource—I have faith that the effects of this work will be multiplied, reaching farther than we anticipate.”
Ana Legaspi (M.A. ’25), another St Innocent Society member, said, “The concept of campus ministry being a form of missionary work resonated deeply with me. Thinking back on my time as a college student, I see how valuable it would have been for me to have the support and community of other Orthodox Christians amidst the chaos of college life. I think that this role offers seminarians an invaluable opportunity to build upon our studies and turn theology into a lived reality.”
The St Innocent Society was honored to host Christina Andresen and encourages anyone inspired by her message to explore how they can get involved with OCF’s vital mission, whether as students, clergy, or supporters of this dynamic ministry.
