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Bishop Thomas and Fr. Michael Nasser Assist with OCF Expansion into Kansas City

Brookline, MA -- September 19, 2011

In keeping with its renewed focus of developing and sustaining local campus-based fellowships, the leadership of Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) is excited to announce its latest ministry expansion, this time to the Kansas City metropolitan area.

From September 25-30, Bishop Thomas of the Antiochian Archdiocese and Fr. Michael Nasser, OCF's North American Chaplain, will visit with the clergy, students and Orthodox faithful in the Kansas City area. The goal of their trip is to assist the local clergy and laity in organizing an effective ministry to students studying at local colleges and universities.

"Living an Orthodox Christian life is not easy for anyone, but it's uniquely challenging these days for our Orthodox college students," stated Bishop Thomas. "I hope we can find ways to bring the Church's support and strength to them where and when they need it most."

Fr. Michael added his own interest in this expanded effort in the Kansas City area:

"One of things I enjoy most about my work is coming into an area where we've had little or no Orthodox presence on the local campuses and seeing the Orthodox churches in the area unite and mobilize to minister to both their own young people as well as the entire campus population."

OCF Executive Director Jennifer Nahas has facilitated the visit at the request of Fr. Elias Issa of St. Basil the Great Orthodox Church in Kansas City. Among the events being planned for the week are meetings with the local pan-Orthodox clergy brotherhood, college students and a "Town Hall" meeting for all interested in bringing the presence of the Orthodox Church to the area's college campuses. A visit is also planned to the existing OCF chapter at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS.

With numerous colleges and universities as well as technical and vocational schools in the area, Kansas City promises to be an important area for Orthodox campus ministry. Initial efforts will be focused on the region's three or four major campuses.

For more information on how you can participate in these events, please contact Fr. Elias Issa at St. Basil the Great Orthodox Church: 913-663-2200.