This post was originally published on this site

The Department of Evangelization of the Orthodox Church in America is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2027 Church Planting Grants and the inaugural Growing Spaces Grants. A total of seven mission communities will receive $242,600 in financial assistance through these two programs during the coming year.

The grants were approved by the Metropolitan Council during its Fall 2026 Session, held October 14–15, and subsequently confirmed by the Holy Synod of Bishops at its Fall Session.

2027 Church Planting Grants

Four missions have been approved to receive Church Planting Grants in 2027:

First-year grants:

  • St. Stephen Mission, Lima, OH
  • St. Paisios Mission, Nacogdoches, TX

Second-year grants:

  • St. Catherine Mission Station, Columbus, MS
  • St. Nina Mission, Azalea Park, FL

The Church Planting Grant Program provides financial assistance toward the salary and benefits of a full-time resident priest, helping mission communities establish a stable pastoral presence as they develop toward full parish status.

The program provides support over a three-year period, with decreasing levels of assistance as participating missions assume a greater share of their clergy compensation. Missions receiving grants are also expected to work closely with their diocesan leadership and the Department of Evangelization in evaluating their progress and developing plans for long-term sustainability.

For more than three decades, the Church Planting Grant Program has been among the Orthodox Church in America’s principal initiatives in support of missionary expansion, assisting numerous communities in establishing a lasting Orthodox presence throughout North America.

Inaugural Growing Spaces Grants

In addition to the Church Planting Grants, three communities have been selected to receive the first awards under the new Growing Spaces Grant Program:

  • Archangel Gabriel Mission, Phoenix, OR
  • St. John the Merciful Mission, Orlando, FL
  • St. John the Theologian Mission, Fairfax, VA

Launched in 2026, the Growing Spaces Grant Program was established to assist mission communities that have outgrown their existing worship facilities and need to relocate to larger spaces.

The program provides financial support specifically for rent or mortgage expenses associated with the expanded facilities. Like the Church Planting Grant Program, Growing Spaces is designed to offer assistance over three years, with gradually decreasing support as participating communities grow and assume their additional financial responsibilities.

The introduction of this new program reflects the increasing need to assist missions at different stages of development. While the Church Planting Grant Program helps communities establish and sustain full-time pastoral ministry, Growing Spaces addresses another challenge faced by successful missions: securing adequate facilities to accommodate their growing congregations and ministries.

Together, these programs represent an important commitment by the Orthodox Church in America to supporting the establishment, growth, and long-term stability of Orthodox communities throughout North America.

Both programs are administered through the Department of Evangelization. The Church Planting and Growing Spaces Grant Programs are made possible in part through the generosity of our faithful, whose contributions support initiatives that strengthen the Church’s missionary and pastoral work.

Those wishing to support these and other ministries of the Orthodox Church in America are invited to visit oca.org/donate.