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Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM), the national prison ministry of the Orthodox Church, is very pleased to announce Archpriest John Kowalczyk as its Director of Training and Spiritual Care.
Father John is the rector of Saint Michael’s Church in Jermyn, PA, and the Director of Field Education and Senior Lecturer in Ethics at Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (STOTS). As the contract chaplain at S.C.I. Waymart’s Forensic Treatment Center, Father John facilitates the prison ministry practicum for seminarians at STOTS.
Father John formerly served as the Executive Secretary of the Board of Directors of OCPM, where he gained greater insight into the budgetary needs of the organization, but now he sees his role differently as a member of OCPM’s staff. Among his plans for the future of the organization include holding OCPM retreats, attending more speaking engagements, and hosting ministry workshops wherever there is a need.
“Seeing the dedication of Father Duane Pederson [Founder of OCPM] and working with Zossima Daugherty [Director of Prison Correspondence] has inspired and prepared me in a unique way,” says Father John. “I feel positively about my new position, especially sharing this role with Father Stephen Powley who has been my inspiration and brother in Christ for so many years.”
