Meet our New Domestic Volunteers!

During their year serving FMS, they engage in the formation program through their relationships with mission candidates, assist with fundraising strategies to help with missioner field support, and they foster friendships with other volunteers in their community through meals, spirituality, and prayer. Now in the third year of this program, we introduce and welcome the latest additions to the FMS family, two individuals, Christine Landau and Matthew Lorch, who embody what it means to be an FMS missioner.

Christine Landau

While Christine Landau was researching possible opportunities in the D.C. area, something about FMS just seemed to fit.
“It was exactly the sort of organization I was looking for,” said Christine, who is completing work towards a doctorate in Ancient Judiasm and Early Christianity. Her interests which range from humanitarian, community, and international outreach to environmental awareness led her to apply for FMS.
Her primary role at FMS will be communications, focusing on social media, fundraising, and helping to produce the FMS newsletter. She brings with her experience in the publishing industry, working in editorial, sales, and management. Not only will she be a huge asset to our communications development, she will also be participating in our comprehensive lay mission program, teaching a weekly course in Scripture and Mission. Our lay missioners will gain new perspective from her expertise in Scripture, Ancient Judiasm, and Christianity as they prepare for mission overseas.
“I want to respond to a calling to support those who serve overseas, to be present to people who are disadvantaged, overlooked, marginalized. I hope my experience at FMS will give me the confidence and resolve to continue to do similar work in the future.””

Matthew Lorch

In his search for interesting opportunities in the D.C. area, FMS seemed like a great one for him. FMS combined many of his interests including the nonprofit work and international relations, but also his study of St. Francis.
“What I admire most about St. Francis is his focus on putting others’ needs above his own,” said Matthew who brings his experiences in nonprofit and public management in parks and recreation to his work at FMS.
He will directly serve our lay mission candidates as program associate, helping to coordinate the 14-week formation program held every fall. Matthew’s own personal overseas mission will allow him to be a helpful resource for our new class of mission candidates. He served as a Peace Corps Volunteer teaching English in the Republic of Benin.