An IOCC Conference in Minneapolis

From My Youth

by Josh Brad

This summer I attended a conference with the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) in Minneapolis. There, along with two dozen other high-school seniors from all over the country and from various Orthodox jurisdictions, we spent a week helping the poor and learning about leadership.

A most memorable experience stemmed from serving dinner at a soup kitchen. I ate with a man who had moved to Minneapolis from Washington, D.C., where his dad worked for the Department of Agriculture. He had originally come to the Midwest for college, but he dropped out and then his life fell apart. As I listened, I realized he just wanted someone to talk to, to see him as another person, and to hear his story. The encounter impressed on me the importance of being present and meeting people where they are.

During the trip, we also worked with Habitat for Humanity to build a home for someone in need. I contributed by helping to paint the exterior. Although we didn’t get to meet the person who was to live there, the experience made me think of the blessings I have. I have a comfortable home to live in, and I never need worry about having clothing or food. It is all too easy to go about my daily routine without thinking of those in need. Our work in service to others brought awareness that I should do more to share God’s blessings.

Throughout the conference, we regularly celebrated the different services of the Church: Matins, Vespers, and Divine Liturgy. Worshiping with my fellow American Orthodox Christians reminded me that while we may be divided by jurisdictions, we are still one Church—the holy Orthodox Church. The conference also highlighted the close connection between service and our worship and prayer lives. Christ meets us in worship and prayer and equips us with His grace to go out and serve a broken world.

All told, the conference was a great opportunity to put my faith into action. I think the conference is a wonderful experience and would be great for other teens to experience too.

Josh Brad is a high-school senior and a parishioner at the Orthodox Church of the Holy Cross in Medford, New Jersey.