Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today, on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center, we announce the launch of an Executive Director search in support of the planned retirement of our beloved Father Martin Ritsi. It is with both heartfelt gratitude for his service and great optimism for the future that we embark on this new chapter. Fr. Martin’s unwavering dedication to Christ, to Orthodox missionary work, and to our organization has prepared us well for this moment.
Beginning in 2020 and together with Fr. Martin, we established a thoughtful and comprehensive succession plan that grants us ample time to identify our future leader and enables a period of transition before the baton is fully passed. This plan allows us to benefit from Fr. Martin’s wisdom and strong relationships while also ensuring the stability and continuity of our operations. We remain focused on maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of our missions and initiatives as we prepare to transition to new leadership. The search process is now underway, and we encourage and are accepting applications from qualified candidates.
Our commitment to galvanizing Orthodox Christians in the United States in support of Orthodox Missions worldwide remains steadfast. We are confident in our ability to identify a successor who will both uphold and enhance our purpose. This transition represents not just a change, but an opportunity to build upon the significant contributions of Fr. Martin and to continue to share our faith by bringing people into the fullness of life in Christ around the world.
Fr. Martin has written his personal reflections and expressions of gratitude in the letter linked below. We invite you to hear from him directly, and to be inspired by his dedication and love for our community.
As we navigate this period of change, we welcome your questions and recommendations for candidates that you believe could lead us into the future. To review the job description and application process, please click the link below. For any other questions regarding the search process, please contact the Search Committee (chaired by John Colis) at searchcommittee@ocmc.org. We ask for your continued support and prayers during this transition and beyond.
In Christ,
Gayle E. Woloschak, PhD, FASTRO
Chairperson, Board of Directors
Orthodox Christian Mission Center