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OUR STORY
A Calling Rooted in Service, Tradition,
and the Life of the Church
The Great Commission Corps did not begin as a personal project.
It began as a response, a response to the growing needs of Orthodox parishes across North America, and a response to the call of Christ to “make disciples of all nations.”
Founded by Fr. Deacon John and Matushka Anna, this ministry exists to help souls walk toward Christ through clear teaching, pastoral care, and the beauty of Orthodox formation. Together, they have devoted their lives to serving the Church and strengthening her faithful.
As a deacon and catechist, Fr. Deacon John guides inquirers and catechumens into the life of the Church.
As a matushka and encourager, Anna brings warmth, hospitality, and a deep love for the faithful.
Their shared desire is simple and ancient:
to help every person, from the curious seeker to the seasoned Orthodox Christian, grow in the likeness of God through prayer, repentance, and spiritual discipline.
With the Blessing of His Grace Bishop
Peter of Seattle
The Great Commission Corps is offered under the blessing and pastoral oversight of His Grace Bishop Peter of Seattle.
This ministry exists:
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in obedience to the Church,
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in service to her clergy,
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and for the strengthening of her faithful.
We do not act independently.
We serve the Church we love.
Why This Ministry Was Born
As a husband‑and‑wife team deeply involved in parish life, we witnessed firsthand the challenges clergy, catechists, and parish leaders face in forming disciples in a rapidly changing world.
We saw:
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Parishes overwhelmed by the surge of inquirers and converts
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Faithful clergy stretched thin, trying to provide consistent catechesis
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Catechumens longing for deeper formation, not just information
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Parishioners unsure how to share the Gospel naturally and confidently
These challenges revealed a simple truth:
Our parishes need more than content — they need formation pathways.
A Need for Formation, Not Just Information
Orthodoxy has always formed Christians through a living, embodied way of life. Yet many parishes today lack the tools, structure, and pedagogical support needed to guide people into that life with clarity and consistency.
We recognized that the Church needed:
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Discipleship methods that integrate theology with daily life
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Professional, turnkey course materials that lighten the load on clergy
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A consistent catechumenate pathway before and after baptism
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Resources that keep new believers engaged and connected
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Training that helps parishes become outward‑focused and evangelistic
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Educational design that reflects both Holy Tradition and modern learning science
This is the gap we set out to fill.
Our Ministry Story
The Great Commission Corps began as a simple desire:
to help the faithful at Holy Royal Martyrs of Russia Orthodox Church, where Fr. Deacon John serves as a deacon and catechist, grow in their understanding and practice of the Orthodox Faith.
As more inquirers came, more catechumens were formed, and more faithful sought deeper spiritual growth, it became clear that the Church needed clear, beautiful, and accessible formation pathways, not only for one parish, but for parishes everywhere.
What began as parish work grew into a ministry.
With the blessing of His Grace Bishop Peter of Seattle, the Great Commission Corps now serves:
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Individuals seeking Christ
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Catechumens preparing for Holy Illumination
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Orthodox Christians longing for deeper formation
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Parishes needing structured, sustainable systems
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Teachers and clergy who guide the faithful
Our prayer is simple:
That every soul may walk toward Christ with clarity, confidence, and the support of the Church.
Our Mission: Unite. Equip. Evangelize.
The Great Commission Corps exists to serve the Orthodox Church by forming faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.
We help:
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Inquirers discover the beauty of the Orthodox Faith
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Catechumens enter the life of the Church
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Orthodox Christians grow in spiritual maturity
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Parishes build clear, turnkey formation pathways
Our mission is simple and ancient:
To unite the faithful in Christ, equip them for the life of the Gospel, and support the Church in her work of evangelization, all with humility, obedience, and love.
Everything we offer is shaped by Holy Tradition, the Holy Fathers, and the living liturgical life of the Church.
A Ministry for a Growing Church
Today, the Great Commission Corps exists to serve the Church during a time of remarkable growth and opportunity. As more people discover Orthodoxy, parishes need formation tools that help them:
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Welcome inquirers
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Form catechumens
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Support the newly baptized
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Strengthen lifelong disciples
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Cultivate a culture of evangelization
We believe every parish can become a place where the Gospel is lived, shared, and multiplied, where formation is intentional, teaching is consistent, and every believer is equipped to grow in Christ.
Join Us in the Work of the Great Commission
This is our story, a story of service, discernment, and commitment to the life of the Church.
We invite you to join us in this work.
Whether you are a priest, catechist, parish leader, faithful Orthodox Christian, or newcomer to the Faith, we are here to support you with tools that honor Holy Tradition, strengthen parish life, and help form disciples who live the Gospel with clarity, joy, and boldness.
Together, by God’s grace, we can unite, equip, and evangelize, fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission in our lives.
Glory to God!