St. Simon Mission Parish’s Outreach to the African-American Community

For over a decade now, the OCA has committed herself to reaching out to traditionally evangelically marginalized communities – the African-American in particular. While interest in Orthodoxy continues to grow among Black Pentecostal and Protestant churches (in what is often referred to as the Early Church or Ancient Faith, or simply and directly, Orthodoxy), actual outreach and evangelistic ministry to these communities has not been without challenges. And while that will undoubtedly change with time, some things are beginning to change right now.

It has been over 100 years since the first Black priest, Fr. Raphael Morgan, walked the territory of New York, but now our Diocese has a newly-planted mission in the inner city of New Brunswick specifically dedicated to Orthodox evangelism to African-Americans. Within the last 18 months, a mission – St. Simon’s – has been planted, and Samuel Davis has been ordained to the diaconate and, as of May of this year, the priesthood, all the while undertaking the M.Div. program at St. Tikhon’s Seminary.

Father Samuel’s interest in outreach is intense. In the period noted, St. Simon’s has undertaken a widely promoted Akathist to the African Saints, a Molieben for Racial Reconciliation (each attended by upwards of 70+ participants, especially local area non-Orthodox clergy), participated in the Diocesan-hosted 2017 Conference of the Brotherhood of St. Moses the Black in Princeton and will soon be hosting for a second time the aforementioned Akathist in September, and a Fall Symposium on The Reformation From the Perspective of the Orthodox Church in October. This latter event in particular will examine the Reformation, its roots, philosophical, theological, and cultural development and the response of the Orthodox Church as given by seminary faculty and noted clergy. Interest and feedback from the community is already high.

Mission outreach is done via social media and personal contacts with non-Orthodox clergy in the south Jersey area, and while interest has been exhibited from farther beyond, the focus is of course in the immediate central and south Jersey area. Facebook has played an important role as an outreach tool, and makes possible a broad connection to interested clergy and laity in the area.

The results can already be seen in the interest and responses received to-date. Non- Orthodox clergy and laity from both within and outside the Diocese are in steady contact with Fr. Samuel and Fr. Jonathan Ivanoff, and plans are now underway to work with several particular groups who have expressed an interest in pursuing their study and knowledge of Orthodoxy with the purpose of, God willing, one day entering the Orthodox Church.

Your prayers for the successful work of St. Simon’s and the continued outreach to African-Americans are much needed and certainly much appreciated!