The youth and youth workers of our Archdiocese are supported by the work of several departments and ministries of the Antiochian Archdiocese. We'll be continuing to gather together here the most notable resources for Orthodox young people of all ages, and those who support them as they grow and mature in Christ.
Department of Youth Ministry: Integrates the Camping Program, Teen SOYO, Campus Ministry and the Fellowship of St. John the Divine - programs designed to meet the needs of varying age groups. Their work involves training youth ministers, both clergy and lay, to serve at all levels, and developing and providing relevant resource materials.
re/CALL - Responding to God's Call in Your Life is a new podcast for Orthodox youth from the Department of Youth Ministry and Ancient Faith Radio.
*Ncense is a young men's a capella singing group. Their first recording, Every Good and Perfect Gift, features 18 beautifully sung church hymns from a variety of Orthodox traditions, and benefits Orthodox Christian Fellowship.
Department of Marriage and Parish Family Ministries: Exists to preserve and enhance the marriages and parish families of the Archdiocese, building a comprehensive archdiocesan network of Orthodox materials and resources to assist the healthy development and maintenance of Christ-loving marriages and families.
Department of College Ministry: Formed in order to provide outreach to Orthodox students while they are away from their home parish attending college. In our effort of promoting pan-Orthodoxy, many of the programs that were started by the Department of College Ministry are now under the supervision of the national Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) office, including the College Conference and Real Break. OCF is a ministry of SCOBA, the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas.
Department of Christian Education: Fosters cooperation in Christian education between the parishes and the central Archdiocese office, between the work of other Orthodox agencies, and among the various parishes of the Archdiocese. They provide support to church school directors, teachers, parents, and to all who are seeking to know the Orthodox Faith.
Department of Camping: Presents to young people a living experience of the Holy Orthodox Faith, in their relationship with God and other campers in an uncluttered, natural environment. More information about Orthodox camping is available at the website of Antiochian Village, where you can also learn about the other remarkable programs and facilities of the Village.
Teen SOYO: The national organization of Antiochian Orthodox Christian youth provides a range of material online, including their SOYO Leadership Manual.
Orthodox Youth Outreach (OYO): A ministry of NAC Teen SOYO which has been designed to provide local parishes and youth workers with the resources necessary to involve junior and senior high students in local community service and short-term missions projects.
Let Us Attend! Children's Weekly Gospel Program with Audio: Produced by the Department of Christian Education and Ancient Faith Radio, and ideal for use as the curriculum for a small church school, or by parents who wish to read the gospel on Saturday night with their children.
OrthodoxYouth.org: Orthodox Christian Interactive Bible Studies and other resources developed by the Department of Youth Ministry.
Orthodox Teen Talk Online (OTTO): An ongoing podcast for Orthodox Christian teens and their peers developed by the Department of Youth Ministry and Orthodox Christian Network (OCN). Visit OCN online at www.myocn.net to learn more or listen here. Sample podcast: Fr. Peter Jon Gillquist and a group of Antiochian teens discuss Orthodox Unity in America.
