OCA Youth Department encourages participation in OCF’s “First 40 Days” program
The Orthodox Church in America’s Department of Youth, Young Adult and Campus Ministry is encouraging all clergy, parents and lay leaders to help connect graduating high school students with campus ministry efforts in their prospective colleges and universities, according to Andrew Boyd, OCA Youth Director.
“Through Orthodox Christian Fellowship’s ‘First Forty Days’ program, clergy, lay leaders, parents, and students may submit contact information for rising college freshmen,” said Mr. Boyd. “OCF will connect these contacts to existing, local OCF chapters and parishes near their campuses and provide resources for navigating the transition into campus life.
According to OCF, “Research has shown that many college students form the habits and social groups that they will maintain for the entirety of their college career in the first six weeks of their freshman year. OCF knows it is critical to personally contact every first-year Orthodox college student so that they know that an Orthodox family awaits them on campus during these crucial formative weeks.”
“Personal connections at this critical point of transition for our youth are imperative in terms of securing them in the life of the Church and empowering them to witness to Christ’s saving Gospel in their new environments,” Mr. Boyd added. “As we take the time to assist OCF in this work, we are also assisting in the much-needed preaching of the Good News on these campuses.”
Contact information must be submitted to OCF by July 15, 2015.
Students’ names and contact information may be submitted here, while additional information and a parish PDF bulletin insert/flyer may be downloaded here.