HOLY TRINITY ARMENIAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH KESSAB, SYRIA E D I T O R I a L M E S S a G E for the Good of His People
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. Ðñ³ï³ñ³ÏáõÃÇAMAAõÝ ²Ù»ñÇϳÛÇ Ð³Û ²õ»newsï³ñ³Ýã³Ï³Ý ÀÝÏ»ñ³Ïóáõû³Ý Publication of the Armenian Missionary Association of America April May June 2014 - XLVIII No. 2 (ISSN 1097-0924) HOLY TRINITY ARMENIAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH KESSAB, SYRIA E d i t o r i a l M e s s a g e For the Good of His People Levon Filian The dedication of the KCHAG Dining Hall in t has happened and continues to happen! honor of Rev. Barkev N. Darakjian. Innocent Armenians under attack again! IThe Armenians in Syria, and more specifically in Aleppo and Kessab have been threatened, wounded, kidnapped, killed, AMAA NEWS displaced, and en masse uprooted and is a publication of deported from their homeland of 500 plus years. The Armenian Missionary Association of America We cannot remain blind or silent, nor 31 West Century Road, Paramus, NJ 07652 turn a deaf ear, or remain indifferent to Tel: (201) 265-2607; Fax: (201) 265-6015 E-mail: [email protected] the challenge set before us. We must, in unison, make our Website: www.amaa.org voices heard. We must make every effort to ask government leaders to intervene and stop such violence. And, yes, we must The AMAA is a tax-exempt, not for profit rise to the occasion to support our brothers and sisters with organization under IRS Code Section 501(c)(3) our prayers, words of encouragement and financial support. Rev. Mgrdich Melkonian, The book of Esther reflects on a similar situation that took place Interim Executive Director/CEO long ago. The Jews were in exile in a foreign land. The residents Levon Filian, West Coast Executive Director David Aynejian, Director of Finance hated them, and wanted to destroy them for various reasons, such as worshipping a different God, for gain of personal power, for OFFICERS accumulation of wealth, jealousy etc. Joseph Zeronian, Ed.D., President Nazareth Darakjian, M.D., Vice President Mordecai and Esther became aware of the enemy's plans Thomas Momjian, Esq., Recording Secretary to kill and destroy their people who lived in exile. They realized Arsine Phillips, Esq., Recording Secretary that they have been placed in prominent positions by God for a Nurhan Helvacian, Ph.D., Treasurer Anita Buchakjian, Assistant Treasurer special purpose. Mordecai challenged Esther as follows, "what if you do not say anything at this time? Who knows? It is possible EDITORIAL BOARD that you became queen for a time just like this." (Esther 4:15) Levon Filian, Editor Louisa Janbazian, Associate Editor, Art Director Esther responded by requesting participation from every one, Jane Wenning, Contributor asking them to fast for three days for this cause. Then, she promised Rev. Mgrdich Melkonian, Ex-Officio/Advisor to do her share by petitioning the king to set her people free. CHANGE OF ADDRESS "Even though it is against the law, and if I have to die, I will die," In order to keep our mailing list up to date, please said Esther, (Esther 16:4). It is very clear that Mordecai and Esther send all corrections, along with the old address, to: were prompted by God to bring their share in helping their people. AMAA NEWS 31 West Century Road We may not be able to stop evil from happening, but we can Paramus, NJ 07652 and should seek divine guidance to help overcome evil, by loving E-mail: [email protected] our God and our neighbor, our brothers and sisters in Syria. The book of Esther concludes by saying that Mordecai had DESIGN Caspianseal.com gained the highest respect from his people, "that is because, he worked for the good of his people and he spoke for the benefit of PRINTING his people." (Esther 10:3) Printsolutions.info Englewood, NJ We call upon you, our brothers and sisters, to spend time in Tel: (201) 567-9622 prayer and ask God if you have been placed where you are in your Position and your Possession for a time like this. We call upon you to be a participant in your support as a Mordecai, an Esther, and a Join us on Facebook (AMAA) person committing yourself to prayer and fasting for your brothers and sisters in Syria. q 2 - AMAA NEWS, April-May-June 2014 As The Father Has Sent Me Rev. Mgrdich Melkonian he Christian world is now living in the post I was sick and you knelt Resurrection season. During this time, Jesus and thanked God for your revealed Himself to His followers to assure health. them of His bodily resurrection and to lead I was homeless and them in their future ministries. As Christians, you preached to me of the Twe study this portion of the Bible seriously and learn how to spiritual shelter of the love incorporate it into the mission work we do. of God. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only I was lonely and you left begotten Son." ( John 3:16) me alone to pray for me. From this very famous and well known Bible verse we You seem so holy, so can clearly see God’s mission. After creating the human being close to God, but I am still and seeing the suffering of the people, God decided to save very hungry, lonely and cold. them through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus, in turn, shared and If we really care for our believed in the mission of God for the salvation of the world. neighbors and for our fellow At the end of His life here on earth, Jesus gave His followers human beings, we need to carry on God’s mission, which the same mission God had given to Him. "As the Father has was given to Jesus. Jesus not only shared God’s mission sent me, I send you." (John 20:21) and preached about it, He also demonstrated His mission by So, when we look at humans with God’s perspective, we taking care of the poor, by feeding them, by becoming their see their needs. Humans are beings with souls. They have friend and eating with them, and surely by teaching them spiritual needs and we need to direct them spiritually to "see" about God’s love and salvation. Jesus, to believe in Him and be saved by Him to have eternal In order to share the Gospel in different ways – physical, life. social and spiritual – we need to become involved in the lives Human beings are also beings with physical bodies. They of our neighbors to understand them. We need to spend time have physical needs and we need to provide food, medication with them. We have to engage in dialogue with them and and other needs for them. express the love of God to them. Human beings are also social beings. They have social The Armenian Missionary Association of America needs and we need to be in touch with them. The following (AMAA) shares God’s vision and mission for all mankind. famous poem describes this beautifully: This is why the AMAA is involved in so many outreach I was hungry and you formed a humanities group to projects around the world. This is why the AMAA is planning discuss my hunger. internship programs for all those who are willing to reach out I was imprisoned and you crept off quietly to your chapel and be part of the mission God has designed for us. and prayed for my release. The source of our power is the call God has given to us. I was naked and in your mind you debated the morality We ask that you please consider being a part of God’s mission of my appearance. here at the AMAA. q AMAA NEWS, April-May-June 2014 - 3 The American Board and Armenian Evangelical Education (1850-1915) Joseph Zeronian, Ed.D. vangelical Armenians have been Moslems to Christianity, being confronted colleges with profoundly influenced by the with laws in Islamic countries that forbade 1748 students; work of the American missionar- the evangelization of the Moslems. As a 46 boarding and ies during the 19th Century. The result, in 1829 the Board resolved to es- high schools with EAmerican Board of Commissioners for For- tablish a mission among the Armenians of 4090 students; 3 eign Missions sent hundreds of ministers, Turkey with the hope that they would exert theological semi- teachers, doctors, and administrators to the an influence for good throughout the Otto- naries with 24 students; 8 industrial schools; 2 Near East. Thousands of Armenian children man Empire. schools for the deaf and blind, and 369 other and young adults received their education, The missionaries’ earliest contact with schools directly or indirectly connected with churches, seminaries and hospitals were es- Armenians was in the mid-1820s when they the American Board with 19,361 students." tablished and relief and succor were provided met with clergy of the Armenian Church These schools had the financial and moral in times of trouble. Our Protestant clergy who were desirous of reforming the Mother support of the Armenian Evangelical com- were trained and encouraged by the Board Church. The clergy stressed the need of the munity as well as the Board. By the end and their influence continued well into the masses for education and knowledge of the of World War I, most of these schools had 20th Century when those who survived the scriptures. Soon the missionaries saw these ceased to exist. massacres continued to provide leadership for conditions for themselves and adopted a The work of the American Board our people and inspire the next generation.