A Life of Faith and Service: The Story of John Pogas

The Greek American Heritage Society of Philadelphia’s Interview Series celebrates individuals whose lives embody the spirit of faith, service, and community that define our Hellenic heritage. Through these stories, we honor those who carry forward the values passed down by their parents and grandparents, blending devotion to the Church with compassion for others and pride in our shared Greek-American identity. Among them is John Pogas, a Philadelphian whose understanding of success was transformed when he discovered that true wealth lies not in what you earn but in how you serve.

The son of Greek immigrants, John grew up in Philadelphia, where his father, Anastasios Pogas, ran a diner at 15th and Arch. “The destiny of all Greeks is to go into the diner business,” he says with a smile. “My dad had one in Center City. He was a great man, a war hero who served as a translator for the Greek army.” His parents arrived in America in the 1950s, bringing with them the values that shaped his life: faith, hard work, and devotion to community.

“I grew up at St. George Cathedral like most Greeks in Philadelphia,” he recalls. “That’s where I learned to serve, to give back to the Church.”

After earning a marketing degree from Temple University, John built a successful corporate career, eventually becoming Vice President of Global E-commerce for one of the world’s largest insurance brokerage firms. Yet after sixteen years at the top, he began to question what success really meant.
“At that time, I equated wealth with what was in your bank account, how many square feet your house was, what was in your driveway,” he says. “Now I equate wealth with what you’re doing to serve the Lord and others.”

Together with his wife Lynn, whom he lovingly calls “more Greek than most Greeks,” John found renewed purpose through faith and service at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in Valley Forge. They have been stewards of the parish for more than thirty years, where John serves as Parish Council President and Lynn plays an active role in Philoptochos. “I challenge anyone to make a better spanakopita than Lynn,” he laughs.

Their parish community, John says, stands out for its warmth and inclusivity. “A lot of visitors tell us they feel at home right away. We have many blended families and converts. Even our priest is a convert. That’s our strength, bringing people into the faith and making them feel part of the family.”

As Center Director for FOCUS Philadelphia, John leads a pan-Orthodox ministry that provides food, clothing, and compassion to people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. When he started, FOCUS served about 30 meals a week in Aviator Park. Today, that number has grown to more than 150 meals weekly across two locations. But for John, the impact is never about the numbers.

“We put a lot of love into our meals. Most importantly, we give people respect. We treat them as children of God,” he explains. “They’re so grateful, and that smile, that’s what fills you up.”

He remembers a conversation with a priest who once told him, “The times I feel closest to God are when I’m preparing the gifts and when I hand a sandwich to a hungry person.” John nods when he recalls those words. “That’s exactly how I feel.”

Beyond Philadelphia, his mission of service has extended across borders. Since 2021, he has led volunteer teams from St. Sophia to Project Mexico, where they build homes for families living in poverty. “We send a team of ten to fifteen people every year,” he says. “We build one home in a week. It’s being the hands and feet of Christ.”

At home, faith and heritage continue to anchor his life. “Even my Pennsylvania Dutch wife listens to Greek music now,” he says with a grin. Family gatherings are filled with tradition, laughter, and the smells of home-cooked food: lamb, spanakopita, pastitsio, and even mac and cheese for the kids. “Faith, heritage, and family, that’s what it’s all about.”

Now in his late fifties, John still spends much of his time serving the Church and those in need, coordinating volunteers, cooking at festivals, and leading mission projects. “My wife and I joke that we should just buy the house down the street because we’re at church so much,” he says. “But this is my happy place. It’s heaven on earth when you’re serving others.”

When asked what guides him, his answer comes without hesitation:
“Your time here on earth is limited. Your time in heaven is an eternity. Make the most of your time here.”

For John Pogas, faith and service continue to guide everything he does. Whether he is helping a family in need, cooking for a parish event, or leading volunteers across borders, he sees each act of giving as a chance to live his faith in full.