CIU alumnus to lead strategic mission organization

Columbia International University alumnus Phil O’Day has been named the new president of Avant Ministries, an interdenominational, multinational missionary sending organization that has focused on planting and developing churches in the unreached areas of the world since the 1890s.  

O’Day, who graduated with a master’s degree from Columbia Biblical Seminary at CIU in 2017, takes the reigns at Avant Jan. 1. He and his wife, Lori, have served at Avant for 30 years, which includes working under CAM International before that ministry merged with Avant in 2019.

In addition to church planting in Mexico City, O’Day held a number of administrative positions with CAM and Avant, most recently as Avant’s U.S. director and vice president of public ministries.

Avant’s outgoing president, Scott Holbrook, said he couldn’t be more pleased with his successor.

"I am excited to move into retirement knowing that the mission leadership is in good hands,” said Holbrook.

Avant Board Chairman Todd Gladman said that Psalm 78:72 describes O’Day.

So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart,
And guided them with his skillful hands.

“That characterizes Phil, as he serves with others in planting developing churches where there is no church,” Gladman said.

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