How One Parishioner’s Decades-Long Ministry is Strengthening Bonds and Guiding the Next Generation
OYM was recently blessed to interview Mike Rascia, a parishioner from St. Innocent Russian Orthodox Church in Carol Stream, Illinois, about his decades-long ministry of gathering young men and fostering community within the Orthodox Church.
Mike’s relationship with the Orthodox Church began in 1981 when he and his wife started attending Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in Chicago, Illinois. During his early years in Orthodoxy, he absorbed all he could, drinking deeply from the wells of Orthodox spirituality as he drew closer to his Lord. In 1989, they joined Holy Transfiguration Antiochian Orthodox Church in Glendale Heights, Illinois, and it was there that Mike felt the call to evangelize. Inspired by Metropolitan Philip’s message to make known “America’s best-kept secret,” Mike saw a need to build community through gathering others, especially younger people.
Now, Mike had no program. He was just a person who felt the call to bring a bunch of strangers together and to help them become a family by living Orthodoxy together. So he did just that. Through decades of fellowship, Bible studies, choir practices, and outdoor activities, Mike has helped create a space where young men can grow together in faith, forging deep, meaningful relationships, not just with one another, but also with older members of the church. His ministry emphasizes the importance of community and the role it plays in the spiritual journey, especially for those who feel isolated or disconnected. He remains passionate about using his gifts to bring others into the fold and inspire the next generation to discover the beauty of the Orthodox Church.
OYM: Was there a specific moment that sparked your passion for working with younger people, or did it develop over time?
Mike: I’m not sure there was a single moment. When I first came to Orthodoxy in my 20s, I naturally gravitated toward people my own age because I enjoyed the fellowship. But as I got older, especially in my 40s when we started organizing camping trips, I became more interested in working with younger people. I liked being around them because their minds are still open and inquisitive. They have lots of questions when they’re new to the Church, and in many ways, we became role models for them. My wife and I live out our faith, and when people visit our home, we pray together, sing hymns, and offer them a sense of Orthodox living. I want to share the love of Christ with others authentically.
OYM: What makes you feel equipped to lead this kind of ministry, and were there any challenges?
Mike: One thing is that I still feel youthful, and that helps me connect with younger people. I enjoy the same activities they do—hiking, biking, climbing, canoeing. These shared experiences bring us together, and we grow as a community. But yes, there have been challenges, especially with generational differences. Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and now Gen Z all communicate differently. Our “phronema” (mindset) can vary, so working through those differences has been interesting. It’s not always easy, but it’s rewarding. We learn from each other and grow together.
OYM: Could you walk us through what a typical gathering or outing looks like?
Mike: It started small—just five or six people coming over to my house. We’d message each other whenever we wanted to meet, and over time, more people joined. Now we have a chat group with about 12 to 17 people. One thing we’ve done several times is meet early on a Saturday morning for prayers. We follow a morning prayer service, then go for a hike, and afterwards, we grab breakfast together. It’s a great way to combine prayer, fellowship, and time in nature. The focus of these gatherings is having meaningful conversations, especially since many of the people are new to Orthodoxy or just recently chrismated.
OYM: How do you think these gatherings transform the young men who attend? What do they take away from the experience?
Mike: I think the biggest thing is they’re surrounded by people who are in the same place they are, both spiritually and socially. They leave saying, “This is the real deal.” The community itself is transformative. That sense of belonging develops quickly, especially when they share common ground. Some of the young guys say things like, “I wouldn’t be Orthodox if it weren’t for this group,” which is humbling to hear. Of course, there are challenges, like navigating disagreements, especially with today’s polarized culture. But overall, it’s the community that keeps them grounded and connected.
OYM: Do you find that today’s culture, especially with social media, presents new challenges for young people in the Church?
Mike: Absolutely. Social media and the fast-paced world we live in can pull people away from the Church. A lot of young guys are deep into online Orthodox spaces or have podcasts, which can be great; but there’s also a lot of noise. I try to guide them back to their local parish and remind them to follow their priest. That’s where they should be grounded. The internet can be full of distractions, so I always tell them, “Stick with your parish, grow there, and don’t get your brain ahead of your heart.” It’s easy to get caught up in online debates, but it’s their relationship with their local church that matters most.
OYM: What advice would you give to someone looking to use their gifts for ministry, as you have?
Mike: The first step is to identify your gifts. One way to do that is to gather people who know you well and ask them. That’s what we did with our former priest, Father Bill [Fr. Basil Caldaroni of blessed memory]. We all sat in a circle and pointed out each person’s strengths. People said I had the gift of hospitality and music, which I might not have recognized on my own. Once you know your gifts, find a way to use them in the Church. It’s about aligning your strengths with the needs of the community.
OYM: Do you have any future plans or hopes for how your ministry will grow?
Mike: I’m excited that Christian Gonzalez reached out to me recently. We’ve known each other for years, and I’d love to get involved in something like OYM, where I can really use my gifts to bring more people into the Orthodox Church. I also want to see more of our gatherings grounded in the presence of priests and proper spiritual authority. We’ve recently had more involvement from our parish priest, and I hope that continues. It’s important for us to stay connected to the Church hierarchy and grow in the right direction.
OYM: That sounds wonderful. Is there anything else you’d like to share about your journey or the impact of your work?
Mike: For me, my journey into the Orthodox Church was love at first sight. It wasn’t an intellectual decision—it was something I felt in my heart. Seeing others come to the Church for the first time or come back after being away excites me. I’ve learned that ministry starts with fellowship. Everything else—tasks, agendas—comes second. Building community is the most important thing. When we form a community, we’ve already succeeded, no matter what else we accomplish.
Read the full interview with Mike Rascia here.
