Orthodox Christian Mission Center Names Dr. Nathan Hoppe as New Executive Director
Longtime missionary and church leader to succeed Fr. Martin Ritsi in January 2026.
ST. AUGUSTINE, FL — The Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) has announced the appointment of Dr. Nathan Hoppe as its next Executive Director, effective January 1, 2026. The decision, made by the OCMC Board of Directors and shared by Board Chair Dr. Gayle Woloschak, comes as Fr. Martin Ritsi prepares to retire after more than 26 years of leadership.
“We have been exceedingly blessed to have Fr. Martin chart the course of the organization all these years and we couldn’t be more confident in Dr. Hoppe’s ability to build on the legacy that Fr. Martin will leave,” said Dr. Woloschak.
A respected international church leader and the Mission Center’s longest-serving missionary, Dr. Hoppe brings more than 25 years of experience in theological education, youth and family ministry, and Orthodox mission work, primarily in Albania. He has played a key role in building vibrant Orthodox communities and has represented the Church of Albania in ecumenical dialogues around the world while working closely with the recently reposed Archbishop Anastasios of Albania of blessed memory.
Fr. Martin praised the appointment, stating, “It is exciting to see a person who has been raised in the mission field and then dedicated decades of his life to missionary service now taking on the key leadership role of the Mission Center.”
Dr. Hoppe holds degrees from Wheaton College, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, and St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. He expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Mission Center forward:
“I am profoundly honored to be called to this new position of service and look forward to working with Fr. Martin and the Board throughout the transition process and beyond. I am grateful for the strong foundation the Mission Center has established and am excited to see how God will lead us in the future."
The OCMC remains committed to its mission of bringing people to Christ and establishing His Church worldwide, moving into a new chapter with renewed purpose and vision.
About the Orthodox Christian Mission Center
The Orthodox Christian Mission Center is the official pan-Orthodox missions agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America. Active in over 33 countries and 36 dioceses worldwide, the Mission Center deploys human and financial resources to establish Christ’s Church through a uniquely Orthodox approach to missionary work. Since its inception, the Mission Center has sent nearly 3000 missionaries and volunteers into the field in support of its ultimate goal: to bring all people into the fullness of life in Christ.
To learn more, visit: ocmc.org.
Previously, UOJ reported that after three-and-a-half years of missionary service in Tonga, an Orthodox Christian family from Eagle River, Alaska, is concluding their work on the nearly completed St. George Orthodox Church in Nuku’alofa.
