College can be a challenging time, particularly when it comes to finding a sense of belonging. The Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) aims to provide that community, culture, and opportunity for growth for students.
OCF, a national campus ministry, has branches across the U.S. and welcomes not only Orthodox Christians but anyone interested in learning more about the faith. At Valparaiso University, OCF hosts discussions twice a month led by a local priest, focusing on Gospel and Epistle readings.
Nora Fisher, the president of OCF, emphasizes the organization’s commitment to community, stating, “The goal of this ministry is to support students in their Orthodox faith through fellowship, social events, and church activities.”
Recently, OCF organized its first Greek Fest to celebrate Greek culture and promote OCF on campus. The event featured traditional food, music, and dancing. Fisher noted, “We wanted to introduce OCF to more students and celebrate one of the cultures of Orthodoxy.”
Despite being a new initiative, the Greek Fest was deemed a success, attracting both students and faculty, many of whom were unfamiliar with Orthodox Christianity. Fisher remarked, “Our executive board agrees that it went very well.”
Looking ahead, OCF hopes to make Greek Fest an annual event and possibly expand it to include the broader community. Participation in OCF is easy, requiring minimal time commitment, as meetings occur just twice a month, complemented by occasional social and service activities.
“Although we are an Orthodox Christian organization, our meetings and events are open to everyone,” Fisher added. Interested students can join by emailing ocf@valpo.edu or reaching out via Instagram at @valpo_ocf.
