Orthodoxy in America
The Fosters
Fr. Jason Foster is our priest. He and his wife, Presvytera Ashley, have been married for 27 years and together they have six daughters: Addison (Son-in-law Steven), Savannah, Camille, Gabrielle, Saxony, and Mary Katherine. They are both natives of Shreveport and are very excited about continuing to serve the Mission and working alongside the two other Orthodox Churches in the area. Fr. Jason attended Louisiana State University in Shreveport where he received bachelor degrees in Accounting and Finance. After working for years in finance and accounting, he attended Dallas Theological Seminary and graduated with an MA in Biblical Studies in 1998. Upon graduation, he and Pres Ashley returned to Shreveport to serve at Trinity Baptist Church. Two years later, they were called to serve at Summer Grove Baptist where Fr. Jason oversaw the College and Career ministry and Wednesday night Bible studies. During this time, he became interested in early Christian worship and completed a Master of Divinity degree at Cranmer Theological House in 2003. Desiring to explore the ancient liturgical practices of Christianity further, he and his family moved to Oxford University where he completed a Master of Theology degree in 2006. Also at this time, Presvytera graduated from Oxford, Wycliffe Hall, with a Diploma in Biblical and Theological Studies. In 2006, Fr. Jason was accepted into a liturgical theology PhD program at Durham University (England). His dissertation entitled, 'Sursum Corda': ritual and meaning of the liturgical command in the first five centuries of the Church' was developed under the supervision of Rev. Dr. Andrew Louth and completed in 2014. After two years of ministry in the Reformed Episcopal Church as a deacon, Fr. Jason and his family became catechumens at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Shreveport in 2006. There, while under the spiritual guidance of Fr. Brendan Pelphrey and many other wonderful people, the Fosters were received into the Orthodox Church in 2006. After 18 months at St. Vladimir's Seminary in New York, Fr. Jason and his family returned to Shreveport to start the Holy Nativity of the Lord Orthodox Mission with others who were willing to begin a new work. 10 years later, the mission has become a spiritual home for people from different walks of life and backgrounds. Together, as a family, we seek to love God, each other, and the world around us. In the Orthodox Church, no person is ever saved alone. Come, join us, and experience life in Christ. It is heaven on earth!
Please feel free to contact Fr. Jason or Pres Ashley regarding any questions you may have about the Mission, or if you are need of ministry or prayer. Also, if you plan on visiting one of our services, contact Fr. Jason beforehand so that he can help you prepare to experience the Divine Liturgy.