Evangelism

Name: Lee Kopulos
Job: Head of Evangelism Programs
Email: leKopulos@stlukeorthodox.com

One of the most important exhortations by our Savior Jesus Christ is the one after being tested by a Pharisee as to what is the greatest commandment in the law when He exclaimed: "You shall love your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind." This is the first great commandment. And the second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as your self." "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:36-40) For me personally, this is the beginning of my understanding of my purpose in life as a Christian follower of Christ. And what follows is the Gospel teaching of Christ relative to the second coming and judgment of all the nations. The standard is our mercy shown to the needy. We need to develop our faith to produce righteous works as in Matthew Chapter 25: 31-46. Then what follows is the "Great Commsssion" in Matthew: 28: 19-20 "Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I will be with you always, even to the end of the age.“ These are all actions that we as Orthodox Christians have a major responsibility to develop and help the Church accomplish. I personally take it very seriously and have found great joy in seeing the word of God implanted in ones heart and soul. The basis of all of this is love. Love has to be instilled in your heart in order to be an Evangelist.

Job Description

Initiates and organizes parish evangelism projects and programs in order to increase membership. These programs are a function of growing–up the body of Christ’s church. They encourage the present membership base to lead seekers to the church who are their “natural network” as friends, relatives, associates and/or neighbors. The evangelism chairperson is responsible for supervising the Greeter Program including the follow-up program with the Priest for all seekers. This person plans, developes and supervises the special activities of advertising, literature/pamphlet displays, parish brochures, and special outreach lectures helping to explain Orthodox Christianity.

The Greeters program is one of basic hospitality. Greeter’s Responsible for the organization of the Greeters program. Greeters welcome first time seekers and other guests making sure they are comfortable in our churches setting. The greeter is trained to provide the guest with proper Orthodox Church literature (pamphlets, books, etc.) In Liturgy they seat guests, take offerings, organize communion attendants, and assist the priest in an orderly lines for Holy Communion and the dismissal. The full scope of this program is fully explained below under Greeters Manual.

More Information on Evangelism and Hospitality