The Patriarch Athenogoras Orthodox Institute (PAOI) and the Friends of Sausal Creek coordinated a one-day project to restore and rebuild a nursery at Sausal Creek. On October 18, 2008, thirty-five Orthodox young adults and OCF students planted, weeded, and dug together- not as Greeks, Russians, Antiochians, Serbians, etc. -but as Orthodox Christians. Gus Abu-Dawood noted, “It was so nice to see Orthodox of different cultures come together to help our community.” The volunteers had the opportu...

This year OCF sent 125 Orthodox Christian college students on short-term mission teams around the world. 125 participants said it changed their lives. OCF is working with Orthodox Christian college students to inspire and cultivate a deep love for God and neighbor through life-transformative programming. The Orthodox Church is facing a serious challenge. Youth and young adults are leaving the church at an alarming rate. Far away from families, priests, and communities, our students confront first-time freedoms, responsibilities, pressures, and temptation as never before. What can we do?