Annual Report 2009 - Armenian Missionary Association of America

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Armenian Evangelical Unions Throughout The World The Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) was born and nourished within the Armenian Evangelical Church and continues to act as its missionary arm. Thus AMAA continues to cooperate with the church and enjoys its full support. In the next few paragraphs we provide excerpts from the reports of the Armenian Evangelical Unions and the Armenian Evangelical World Council that were submitted to the 91st Annual Meeting: ARMENIAN EVANGELICAL UNION OF EURASIA (AEUE) The Armenian Evangelical Union of Eurasia (AEUE) brings together all the Armenian Evangelical churches and fellowships of the former Soviet Union republics. The AEUE consists of 40 churches and fellowships in Armenia (united within the Evangelical Church of Armenia), 5 churches in Georgia, one church in Abkhazia, 3 churches in Karabagh and 2 churches and one fellowship in Russia. The AEUE aims at helping the churches grow and its pastors mature. It provides pastoral support to the ministers and young leaders, organizes pastoral visitations and outreach, helps in the implementation of Christian Education programs, and promotes fraternal relations between member churches, fellowships and their ministers. The AEUE co-founded the Evangelical Theological Academy of Armenia, where young leaders and full-time ministers of the former Soviet Union republics have received and continue to receive their training in preparation for Christian ministry. ARMENIAN EVANGELICAL UNION OF FRANCE (AEUF) The Armenian Evangelical Union of France (AEUF) continued its missions in France, in Belgium, Germany, “Hope for Armenia” and also provided help to churches in Iraq and Iran. The Union became a member of the “Federation Protestante de France” and continues its membership with the “National Council of the French Evangelics.” The Union has faced some challenges and difficulties. They are addressing these issues and through prayer, have made progress in resolving them. There is a need for new pastors. Two seminary students Vicken Aznavourian and Timothé Daniel are currently attending the Theological College in Paris. The camp and youth activities continue to flourish. The camps La Source and La Fontanelle had over 250 youth and over 300 adults attend their Christian camp sessions. The youth organized music and theater festivals in Arnouville Les Gonesse. The publication of Panpere and the calendar continued and were distributed in France and worldwide. ARMENIAN EVANGELICAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA (AEUNA) The Armenian Evangelical Union of North America (AEUNA) had a successful year. Here are some of the highlights: In July 2010, the AEUNA held its 20th Biennial Assembly in Southfield, Michigan. During the Assembly, the following four churches joined the Union: Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Christian Outreach for Armenians, Christ Armenian Church, and Holy Trinity Armenian Evangelical Church. The Union reported the ordination of Sarkis Karaminassian as the Pastor of St. Nareg Armenian Church and Jason Davis as the Youth Director of the First Armenian Church of Belmont and the Armenian Memorial Church of Watertown. The Union announced that they had two students graduating from seminaries: Jeremy Tomassian, who is interning at the Armenian Church of the Nazarene in Glendale, and Haig Darakjian, who is interning at the United Armenian Congregation Church in Hollywood. The camp ministries continue to register success stories. The camp participation has grown each year both in Camp Arev and in Camp Arevelk. The Camp Arev construction and expansion project was completed. Three newly constructed buildings were dedicated; a new Chapel building sponsored by Dr. & Mrs. Hrair Darakjian and family; the multipurpose building sponsored by Mrs. Ahahis Derian – in loving memory of her husband Henry; and an infirmary sponsored by the Hovanesian Family in memory of Rev. Herald Hassessian. The AEUNA is grateful to the AMAA for its financial and moral support as they partner together in serving the Lord. UNION OF ARMENIAN EVANGELICAL CHURCHES IN THE NEAR EAST (UAECNE) The Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East (UAECNE) had a year of fruitful service and new challenges. Within an atmosphere of relatively peaceful circumstances, they were able to continue their ministry to our communities and our people in the different countries where UAECNE churches exist. Church life was filled with blessings this year. Although UAECNE congregations did not grow much in number, they continued to do well, except for the Martyrs’ Church in Homs; the regional governments in Syria recently implemented a law to check religious activities of public character taking place in apartments. The church in Homs being one such facility was closed down with over ten others around Syria. However, the other churches of the UAECNE went on with their life and worship. The Church in Ainjar, Lebanon, had two halls renovated and re-inaugurated, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the village of Ainjar - a meeting hall named after the late Miss Silva Shammasian, and an audiovisual room for the school in the name of the late Rev. Movses Janbazian. Emigration of the younger generation is still a problem, the core reason being economic. The 66th General Assembly, held in Kessab, Syria on July 4-7, was a bit different than usual. The UAECNE had a seminar type assembly, and work was confined to necessary elections on the last day of the assembly. Also, two representatives of the Armenian Evangelical Church of Baghdad, Iraq, participated for the first time, since it was resolved to accept their Church as an Associate Member for three years. Schools in Syria and Lebanon have been confronting new financial challenges because of changing laws and because of diminishing support from other organizations, such as Bible Lands. Still most schools in Syrian and Lebanon had over 90% success in official exams. 12
Summer camps for all ages went well this summer. They were held in KCHAG in Kessab, and two camps were organized in Ainjar. Participation was good and our church atmosphere in Syria and Lebanon will benefit from the results of these camps. Daily Vacation Bible Schools were also well attended and very lively. One Youth Camp was held in KCHAG. This camp which was occupied during the Lebanese Civil War, was finally reclaimed and partial renovations were done. The UAECNE thanks God for trusting to them His work on earth. Special thanks to the AMAA, the Philibosian Foundation and all donors for the support that helped sustain the mission field in the Near East. UNION OF EVANGELICAL CHURCHES OF ARMENIA (ECA) There are 40 churches, prayer houses and centers in Armenia. The main source of financial and guidance support of the Evangelical Church of Armenia (ECA) is the AMAA, contributing to the spiritual, cultural, moral and social growth of the Armenian people. Today ECA’s aim is to keep and strengthen the local churches, prayer houses and Evangelical centers in Armenia, so that they reach higher levels of Christian maturity, and also to move towards financial independence. This year, 99 individuals from different churches were baptized, testifying to their relationship with God. ECA organized seminars for the pastors and their assistants in order to strengthen the church leadership. By the ECA Board’s decision, each ordained pastor will have an assistant who will serve under his supervision. This year, during August, a one-day camp with the pastors, assistants and their families was held. Christian Education is one of the ministries of ECA. It serves in all 40 churches with its Christian, cultural and sport programs. The pastors of the ECA visit prisons and have individual meetings with prisoners speaking to them about spiritual topics. The Evangelical Theological Academy of Armenia is undergoing changes. A new Board with a new President was formed. The Academy has a new Provost. A main objective this year was to promote unity and love in ECA churches so that God will continue blessing Armenia and Armenians. One day we will have a real powerfully Christian country built by united efforts. THE ARMENIAN EVANGELICAL WORLD COUNCIL (AEWC) The Executive Committee of the Armenian Evangelical World Council (AEWC) held its annual meeting on Friday, October 16, 2009, at the Armenian Euphrates Evangelical Church in Providence, Rhode Island. Items that the Executive Committee addressed included: 1. Update on Evangelistic work in Belgium. An update was given on the newly purchased church building for Armenian Evangelical Church of Brussels by the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA). The Committee resolved to urge Armenian Evangelical churches worldwide to lend a helping hand to their sister church of Brussels. 2. Status of the Armenian Evangelical Church of Baghdad. It was reported that the church was formally received as an associate member of UAECNE and is expected to be in full membership in the future. It was recommended to appeal to all Armenian Evangelical churches to support this church. 3. An evaluation of the Armenian Evangelical outreach in Armenia was made. Members expressed the need to intensify their interaction and partnership with the AMAA. They also expressed their gratification in the increasing role of leadership of the local ministers. 4. Because of its far-reaching ramifications, amendments of Armenia’s constitution on freedom of faith, particularly the law of proselytism, have been a serious concern to all members of AEWC during the past year. All members have worked hard to see the government of Armenia repeal these amendments. It appears that the non-favorable report of the “European Commission for Democracy Through Law” (The Venice Commission) must have made an impact on the Armenian legislature to rethink the proposed amendments. 5. AEWC’s relationship with the See of Etchmiadzin was reviewed. It was resolved to send a delegation to Etchmiadzin on November 30, 2009, for the purpose of strengthening spiritual ties with the Holy See and explore areas of mutual cooperation. 6. The Protocols on the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey, signed on October 10, 2009, was discussed at length. The five member church Unions of AEWC participated in the deliberations and resolved that although they welcome the Protocols between Armenia and Turkey, they are very concerned about the following two veiled preconditions: (a) The agreement that the Republic of Armenia has no territorial claims from Turkey; (b) Armenia’s acceptance of the establishment of a commission of historians to examine historical records and archives regarding the Armenian Genocide. Such an enterprise would be counterproductive and an evasion of the issue, because the Armenian Genocide is already a historically established fact. These preconditions are detrimental to the Armenian Cause. 13
Page 1 and 2: Armenian Missionary Association of
Page 3 and 4: President’s Message The AMAA had
Page 5 and 6: AMAA At A Glance The Armenian Missi
Page 7 and 8: Churches and Missions The AMAA was
Page 9 and 10: Capital Fundraising Campaign Phase
Page 11: Our Communities Around the World GR
Page 22 and 23: Historical Collections and Other No
Page 24 and 25: Note 5 - Fair Value Disclosures Fai
Page 26 and 27: For the prior fiscal year, included
Page 28 and 29: Endowment Funds and Other Financial
Page 30 and 31: GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUNDS AT JULY 31,
Page 40 and 41: ARMENIA RELIEF ENDOWMENT FUNDS AT J
Page 42 and 43: HAIGAZIAN UNIVERSITY AT JULY 31, 20
Page 44 and 45: MINISTERS’/MINISTERS’ WIDOWS PE
Page 46 and 47: How to Give Stewardship of God’s
Page 48: AMAA God’s Work For Our Times 31

Annual Report 2009 - Armenian Missionary Association of America

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