FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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2 FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR In a private meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch, His All-Holiness Bartholomew, I was reminded how vital the work of the OCMC is around the world. The need abounds, as the Church and the people She serves face innumerable struggles and profound opportunities. The call to us, the faithful who are dedicated to missions, was clear please help. In 2015, thanks to your fervent prayers and support and by the grace of the Holy Spirit, the global Church was helped and may people have been introduced to Christ. In the mission field, there is a perpetual shortage of well trained and educated men to serve as priests and catechists. As of the end of the year 6 OCMC missionaries were teaching at seminaries in Albania and Kenya, including OCMC's newest missionary Dr. William Black. These missionaries have helped shape priests that are taking the Gospel message to people who have never heard it before. One of the places where the Orthodox Faith is being proclaimed to people, who have never been introduced to Christ, is among the Turkana people of northern Kenya. The Turkana have an openness to, and longing for, Christ unlike any people we have encountered in recent times. OCMC has been active there since 2007 and has helped train the growing number of priests and catechists needed, to reach ever deeper into the harsh and rural lands that the Turkana call home. Since then, more than 1500 people have been welcomed into the Church. OCMC has sent teams to the Turkana every year since 2007 and in 2015 they were able to witness the consecration of St. Nicholas Church in the village of Lokichar - a church that an OCMC team also helped to build. Like the Turkana region of Kenya, we are praying that God is calling us to another part of the world that is seeking Christ. The Church is still establishing itself in this predominantly Muslim country. They have started parishes, schools, a college, and a hospital. These efforts are vital to the church being a visible and welcome presence. Youth in the Church need to be taught the faith and the hospital needs trained staff that are able to offer healthcare. OCMC teams, grants, and consultations with the hierarch are filling these needs! These are but a few of the wonderful things you have made possible. The growing Church in Guatemala and Albania also continues to thrive. Through this report, we feel blessed to be able to share with you the fruits of the many missions ministries you have supported. Thank you for all that you have done and for all that you will do to grow the Churches mission work in the future. Please pray for Orthodox missions and Orthodox missionaries, as we also remember you in ours. In Christ, Fr. Martin Ritsi Executive Director

3 FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT It is with a profound sense of joy and gratitude that I thank the countless Orthodox Christians from throughout the country who lovingly support the many missionary efforts of our beloved Orthodox Christian Mission Center in over 30 countries around the world. I am excited to announce that on May 10th of this year, our board of directors approved our new three-year strategic plan. This roadmap into our future is an inspired document that challenges all of us to strive harder in order to evangelize more of God's children around the world. The first section of the plan reiterates our commitment to bring non-christians to Christ. Many goals and strategies are cited including: more online translations, moving into two more regions of the world (possibly India and China), engage in direct evangelism, youth programs, and other outreach ministries. The second section stresses the need to establish and strengthen Eucharistic Communities. It is our intention to grow or establish ten parishes/communities per year; establish two catechism programs per year; instruct and mentor at least 750 catechumens per year; and also provide youth ministry, health care, and liturgical support to various churches. Our third major goal is to help indigenous churches attain self-leadership, self-support, and self-propagation. We do not want our younger sister parishes to be dependent upon us indefinitely. A missionary's goal is to work himself or herself out of a job. In this regard, we are seeking to increase our team of missionaries and team-members so that the training of our newly-baptized brothers and sisters can be completed more quickly and efficiently. Other aspects of the strategic plan focus on governance, internal management, fundraising, and our desire to network with as many groups within the Church as possible. Again, I thank all of our supporters and I strongly encourage anyone who is interested in serving overseas to contact our Mission Center directly. In Christ, Fr. George Liacopulos President, OCMC Board of Directors

4 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS At least 9 of our missionaries have witnessed or participated in baptisms involving approximately 100 persons. In Albania alone, OCMC Missionaries led a boy's camp with 85 attendees which resulted in 25 baptisms. At least 6 of our missionaries are involved regularly with catechism. Together, they have catechized over 200 persons. Plus, through the training of other catechists, another 400 persons received Orthodox teaching. Missionaries Engaged in Youth Ministry....6 Missionaries Offering Theological Training...7 Missionaries Witnessing through Outreach...8 Missionaries Involved in Education Missionaries Doing Translation Work Missionaries Providing Counseling Full-time & Part-time Missionaries: Countries Served: Through the AGES program (software developed in partnership with OCMC) the Divine Liturgy was made available in Swahili and Kikuyu translations, and translation of the Priest's Service Book for Africa was begun. Approximately 400 catechists and lay leaders are being trained by the Church in Guatemala, and 20 persons were identified for the subdiaconate and future diaconate. Missionaries helped coordinate and lead several OCMC Mission Teams that offered catechism and ministered to women, youth, and young adults. Missionaries served as a bridge between team members and the people that they hoped to serve. MISSIONARIES O C M C

5 MISSION TEAMS PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Teams held camps, taught English, and offered Vacation Bible School to over 1,085 youth and young adults in Alaska, Albania, and Moldova. According to OCMC Missionary Dcn. Stephanos Ritsi who helped coordinate one of the youth ministry teams, "It was important for the Albanian youth to see Orthodox youth from America, a country that is idealized here in Albania. Additionally it was an impetus to create a diocesan meeting for the young adults. Without the support from OCMC the Church would not have hosted such a large scale event. These relationships forged by the young adults help strengthen the local communities and the bonds between members of different communities." OCMC Medical teams to Guatemala and Uganda provided much needed healthcare and health education to over 680 people. Teams were also able to reach 1,130 people in Albania, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico and Moldova through religious education and evangelism introducing new people to Christ and deepening the understanding of the Orthodox Faith among new believers. Fr. Chrysostomos Manalu who received the team to Indonesia said, "When we say 'the Orthodox Church' [in Indonesia], it means difficulties. It is an uphill battle against the perception and gravitational pull of the surrounding Muslim society, compounded by the difficulties of poverty. Christianity in general is a minority in the country, and is persecuted to varying degrees in different parts of the island chain education on Orthodox dogma, spirituality, and the Orthodox way of life is still very much needed." An outreach team to Guatemala helped make renovations to a building that is used for outreach, and a team to Kenya helped build a two room school house in the village of Loupwala. People Served by Catechism Teams...1,130+ Number Served by Youth Teams.....1,085+ People Served by Healthcare Teams Number Served by Womens Ministry Teams 30+ Service/Construction Projects Completed....2 Teams Sent: Team Members: Countries Served: A n n u a l R e p o r t

6 SAMP (Support a Mission Priest) PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT: In November 2015, the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Alexandria established two new dioceses in Kenya, the Diocese of Kisumu and Western Kenya and the Diocese of Nyeri and Mount Kenya. Appointed to lead these new dioceses are two longtime SAMP clergy, His Grace Bishop Neofitos (Kongai) and His Grace Bishop Athanasios (Akunda). Number of Priests Supported: Number of Countries Receiving SAMP Support: Amount of Support Given: $239,310 THEOLOGICAL TRAINING PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT: The Makarios III Seminary in Nairobi, Kenya is currently training future priests from all over Africa. This training is offered free of charge to students that would otherwise not be able to answer their calling. This institution has helped train and equip hundreds of African clergy. Seminaries and/or Training Programs Supported: Makarios III Seminary in Kenya, Ressurection of Christ Theological Academy in Albania, St. Athanasios the Athenite Theological School in the Congo, and Individual Student Grants MISSION PROJECTS & GRANTS PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: Agape provided a grant of $15,000 to the RSU Theotokos Hospital in Medan, Indonesia. The hospital is an outreach ministry of the Church which is overseen by one of our SAMP priests, Fr. Chrysostomos Manalu. The grant underwrote the operating costs of the hospital for three months. Orphans are among the world's most vulnerable people. The Church has always strived to respond to the needs of children with no home, by providing food, shelter, clothing and an education. It is a vital ministry and expression of Christ's love. In 2015, OCMC distributed more than $70,000 for the construction of an orphanage in Ghana Projects Supported: Counseling, Family Services, Orphanages, Youth Camps, Self-reliance Initiatives, Healthcare, Wells, Church Contruction Number of Projects Supported: Amount Awarded: $213, O C M C

7 Financial Report (December 31, 2015 with comparative amounts for 2014) Statement of Financial Position ASSETS Current Assets Cash $179, $188,153 Investments, current portion ,944 Accounts Receivable , ,051 Pledges Receivable (net)...148, ,395 Prepaid Expenses , ,478 Total current assets , ,021 Noncurrent Assets Pledges Receivable (net)....48, ,477 Cash value life insurance... 52, ,227 Utility deposit Investments, non-current portion ,508, ,348,897 Property & equipment... 4,088, ,190,654 Total noncurrent assets.. 7,698, ,669,255 TOTAL ASSETS ,069, ,064,276 LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS Current Liabilities Accounts payable , ,314 Deferred revenue , ,647 Total current liabilities , ,961 Noncurrent Liabilities Accrued expenses , ,083 Net Assets ,702, ,719,232 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS ,069, ,064,276 Where Your Offerings Were Invested Statement of Activities SUPPORT AND REVENUE General Revenue..... $1,160,485...$1,362,707 Jurisdictional , ,000 Contributions-Unrestricted... 49, ,005 Net investment income (loss) (121,167)....(75,011) Interest , ,343 Mission support ,708, ,559,453 Contributions-Tmp Restricted ,065 Total support & revenue. 2,952, ,057,562 EXPENSES Missionary programs.... 2,132, ,001,822 Management & general , ,051 Development , ,052 Total expenses ,969, ,822,925 INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS (16,880) ,637 NET ASSETS Beginning January ,719, ,484,595 Ending December ,702, ,719, Board Officers Metropolitan SAVAS Assembly Liaison Fr. George P. Liacopulos President Mr. John N. Colis Vice President Mr. William O. Birchfield III Treasurer Dr. Gayle Woloschak Secretary Fr. Alexander Veronis Pres. Emeritus 2015 Board of Directors Mr. Clifford Argue Fr. John Chakos Dn. Dr. John Christakis Fr. Joseph Ciarciaglino Mr. Patrick R. Crosson Dr. John G. Demakis Mr. Michael Grivon Mr. John C. Hrapchak Mr. Bruce Humphrey Fr. Luke Mihaly Fr. Scott Mitchell Mrs. Helen Nicozisis Fr. John Parker Fr. Philemon Patitsas Fr. Ted Pisarchuk Dn. Andrew J. Rubis Mrs. Elizabeth Slanta Dr. George Stevens Fr. Matthew Tate Fr. Luke Veronis Mrs. Marina Zazanis Contact Information Address: 220 Mason Manatee Way St. Augustine, FL Phone: (904) Toll Free: GO-FORTH Fax: (904) A n n u a l R e p o r t

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