OCPM News and Updates
This year, from the 13th-15th of February, board members and staff met in person or by video conference in Houston, Texas working throughout each day towards implementing the vision of the OCPM mission: To serve those who are incarcerated and their families, and provide resources, training and support to our ministry partners. Since last year, […]
For the third year in a row, Fr. John Kowalczyk gave a three hour workshop at the Drexel Medical College 27th Forensic Conference, held on Wednesday, December 4th 2019. Fr. John Kowalczyk stated the following: “Working with mentally ill inmates who are in the (RHU) Restricted Housing Unit or Solitary Confinement, one will be confronted […]
Fr. Stephen Powley and Fr. John Kowalczyk recently visited St. Tikhon’s Seminary to present OCPM to the seminarians and minister at the local prison. The St. Tikhon’s Seminary hosts an Ancient Faith Podcast series called “The Spirit of Saint Tikhon’s” where Fr. Stephen spoke about the powerful work of the Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry. Listen […]
Every year, OCPM Fr. Stephen Powley and Fr. John Kowalczyk make a trip to St. Tikhon’s Seminary. This year Fr. Stephen was able to visit with his wife, Ashley. As always, it was reported that their “hospitality was beyond words” as they were kindly provided a room and meals. This year, the visit took place […]
Last week, 10 pan-Orthodox ministries came together at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese for a two-day meeting addressing homelessness. Executive Director Fr. Stephen Powley and Director of Operations Paul Politis represented the OCPM. There were three main objectives purposed: To learn from one another, highlight strengths and areas for growth, and create ties for greater collaboration […]
Father Stephen Powley was recently the keynote speaker for the Youth and Family Conference hosted this year in Dallas, Texas from July 25-27. Father addressed their younger-aged group of around 150 people aged 15-32 years old. The conference, which saw around 550 people, was themed “Celebrating the Abundant Life: The Orthodox Christian Way.” Father Stephen […]
This past Sunday was Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday (PMAS), a day where parishes and parishioners highlighted the powerful work of prison ministries. Many churches passed an additional tray on that Sunday and sent the donations to OCPM so we can continue in our mission of servicing the incarcerated and their families as well as providing […]
The Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM) works to facilitate the intent of Orthodox Christians to “do good works” within the penitentiary system. The cumbersome and inconsistent rules surrounding who and what can enter a prison makes direct action nearly impossible. For this reason, we have OCPM trained clergy and lay volunteers ready and willing to […]