ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020€¦ · AMAA Annual Report 2019-20 3 The AMAA’s 2019-2020 fiscal year...

ANNUAL REPORT2019/2020

ARMENIAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAԱմերիկայի Հայ Աւետարանչական Ընկերակցութիւն

AMAA Annual Report 2019-20 1

A. MESSAGES AND REPORTS OF OFFICERS/ADMINISTRATORS 3 a. President’s Message............................................................................... Nazareth Darakjian, M.D. 26 b. Armenian Evangelical Fellowship-Europe, President .....................................Rev. Gilbert Léonian27 c. Armenian Evangelical Union-North America, Minister to the Union ............ Rev. Berdj Djambazian28 d. Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in Eurasia, President ................ Rev. Dr. René Léonian29 e. Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches of France, President ..........................Rev. Jöel Mikaélian30 f. Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, President .....Rev. Megrditch Karagoezian31 g. Union of Evangelical Churches of Armenia, Pastor to Pastors ................. Rev. Mgrdich Melkonian32 h. Co-Recording Secretaries ....................................Mark Kassabian, Esq./Thomas J. Momjian, Esq.32 i. Treasurer .................................................................................................Nurhan Helvacian, Ph.D. 5 j. Executive Director/CEO ..........................................................................................Zaven Khanjian33 k. AMAA Representative in Armenia ......................................................................Harout Nercessian B. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES38 a. Armenia Committee ........................................................................ Ann Karagozian Sarafian, Ph.D.39 b. Audit Committee .................................................................................................Gary Phillips, Esq.39 c. Budget and Finance Committee ...............................................................Nurhan Helvacian, Ph.D.40 d. Christian Life Committee ...................................................................Heather C. Ohaneson, Ph.D.40 e. Constitution and Bylaws Committee .............................................................Mark Kassabian, Esq.40 f. Cooperative Committee on Armenian Missions ................................................ Dr. Peter E. Makari41 g. Development Committee ...................................................................................LindaKay Abdulian41 h. Europe Committee ................................................................................H. Steven Aharonian, M.D.42 i. Foreign Real Estate Committee .................................................... Hratch Sarkis and Joseph Stein42 j. Investment Committee ............................................................................. Michael Voskian, D.M.D.43 k. James Jameson Essay Contest Committee ............................................... Douglas Kurjian, Ph.D.43 l. Managers of Real Estate Committee ................................................................. Gary Phillips, Esq.43 m. Near East Committee ...............................................................................................Louis Kurkjian44 n. Nominating Committee ...........................................................................Nurhan Helvacian, Ph.D.44 o. Orphan and Child Care Committee ............................................................Joyce Philibosian Stein45 p. Personnel Committee .................... Thomas J. Momjian, Esq./Eileen Chopourian Stephey, Ed.D.45 q. Planned Giving Committee .............................Thomas J. Momjian, Esq./George Phillips, Jr., Esq.45 r. Scholarship Committee ............................................................................Nurhan Helvacian, Ph.D.

A G E N D A 101st Annual Meeting of AMAA

October 24, 2020

8:00 am PT - 11:00 am ET ...................................DEVOTION - CALL TO ORDER & GREETINGS

Page 22 MINUTES OF THE 100TH ANNUAL MEETING

2 AMAA Annual Report 2019-20

C. REPORTS OF AFFILIATED BOARDS46 a. Armenian Evangelical World Council ...................................................Rev. Dr. Vahan H. Tootikian47 b. Haigazian University .................................................................................Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian48 c. Stephen Philibosian Foundation .................................................................Joyce Philibosian Stein

D. REPORTS OF AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS49 a. Armenian American Museum .....................Nazareth Darakjian, M.D./Levon Filian/Zaven Khanjian49 b. "Armenian Education" Educational Foundation ......................................H. Steven Aharonian, M.D.49 c. C&E Merdinian Armenian Evangelical School ......................................... Vahe Nalbandian, Ph.D.50 d. "Hayastan" All-Armenian Fund .............................................................................. Zaven Khanjian50 e. Hope For Armenia - Espoir Pour L’Armenie ...........................................................Serge Kurkdjian51 f. Joint Home Missions - AEUNA and AMAA ......... Rev. Berdj Djambazian/Rev. Jeremy Tovmassian E. REPORTS OF DISTRICT CHAPTERS/COMMITTEES/CHURCHES52 a. AMA-Australia ................................................................................. Rev. Dr. Krikor Youmshajekian53 b. AMA-Canada ........................................................................................................Mihran Jizmejian54 c. Armenian Evangelical Church of São Paulo, Brazil ................................ Rev. Dr. Roy Abrahamian54 d. Armenian Evangelical Churches of Bulgaria .......................... Rev. Bedros Altunian/Local Pastors58 e. First Armenian Evangelical Church of Uruguay ..... Rev. Dr. Obed Boyadjian/Dr. Jorge Moumdjian

58-62 F. Church Missions Committees/AMAA Chapters of North American Churches

63-81 G. FINANCIAL REPORTS

82-96 H. ENDOWMENT FUNDS

I. ELECTIONS a. Eight Members to the Board of Directors – Class of 2023 b. Four Members to the Nominating Committee – Class of 2022 c. Auditor for Fiscal 2020-2021

J. OTHER BUSINESS K. CONCLUDING REMARKS L. ADJOURNMENT & PRAYER OF DISMISSAL

Note: Following the Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors will have a brief meeting.--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cover Photo: AMAA Janbazian KG in Martakert, ArstakhBack Cover Photo: Youth from various Armenian Evangelical Churches in Beirut, Lebanon volunteer to distribute food and other provisions to the needy on behalf of the AMAA at the Trad Social Service Center of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East

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The AMAA’s 2019-2020 fiscal year started on August 1, 2019, just like any other “normal” year that we had come to expect. By early March of 2020, however, the pandemic called COVID-19 had taken hold, creating an entirely new landscape for almost every human being living on this earth, and nothing has been “normal” since then.

Going back to October 2019, the AMAA held its 100th Annual Meeting in Watertown, MA not far from Worcester where the AMAA was born 101 years ago. The traditional Banquet Saturday night was very well organized and very well attended. Our sincere thanks to John and Michele Simourian and the energetic Committee. We also want to express our thanks to Rev. Avedis Boynerian and the members of the Armenian Memorial Church of Watertown, MA for making us feel very much at home and for providing us a warm atmosphere of Christian fellowship.

The AMAA Centennial Campaign officially ended in December 2019. The Campaign that ran for three years was able to raise 75% of the $20 million goal that was set at the beginning.

Our last “face to face” Board meeting took place in early March, and since then all meetings have been held on Zoom. Also, in mid-March the AMAA office was closed but the staff was able to continue to work from home and fulfill the essential functions of the organization. The Armenia Orphan and Child Care fundraiser, planned for April in CA, was canceled but many donors sent in their contributions anyway for which we are very grateful. The Medical Mission Trip to Armenia in June, the Annual Internship Trip to Armenia in July, and the planned Tour to Armenia and Artsakh in September were all canceled. We were looking forward to holding our 101st Annual Meeting and Banquet in Fresno, CA this year but they were also canceled with the hope that perhaps we can hold our 102nd Annual Meeting there next year. Our annual trip to Beirut was canceled too and instead the Haigazian University Board of Trustees meeting and the AMAA-UAECNE joint meetings took place by Zoom.

Even before the pandemic hit, trouble started brewing in Lebanon in the fall of 2019 with unrelenting anti-government demonstrations. The financial meltdown that followed caused massive devaluation of the local money and inability of bank account holders to access their funds. This made life very difficult for individuals and institutions and complicated our efforts to send the budgeted as well as the additional assistance designated for our Union there. As if these problems were not enough, a massive explosion rocked Beirut on August 4, 2020, causing damage to almost every building in the city including our churches, schools and any piece of real estate that belonged to the AMAA or our Near East Union of churches. In spite of all these disasters, the AMAA continues its worldwide mission with particular emphasis on Lebanon where the need is greatest at this point in time. Additional funds have been channeled to the Social Action Committee of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in The Near East in Beirut to help them distribute food parcels to families in need. Additional funds were also sent to help our schools pay the salaries of teachers because many parents are unable to pay the tuition due. A campaign to raise funds for Lebanon was started early in the year and the need gets bigger with every new calamity that hits. And so, the campaign continues.

Haigazian University managed to complete instructions by going online and fortunately did not suffer a major loss in tuition income last year. The explosion, however, caused serious damage to almost all the doors and windows of the buildings.

Our community in Syria has been hit very hard with COVID-19 where the problem is compounded by the lack of medications and the lack of proper medical care and public health measures. We are in the process of assessing the situation to see how we can send help.

Armenia was involved in a border skirmish with Azerbaijan which fortunately didn’t last long, and the attack was repelled effectively. COVID-19 is also active there with resultant unemployment and poverty. The AMAA did its share by distributing food to needy families and by contributing through the Armenia Fund for the purchase of medical supplies and equipment by the government.

Rev. Mgrdich Melkonian, AMAA Field Director and Pastor to Pastors in Armenia, continues his mission of building the Evangelical Church of Armenia and providing continuing education and leadership training to our pastors there.

Our major construction project in Armenia at present is the Stepanavan administrative building where construction continues and is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Hratch Sarkis, a member of the AMAA Executive Committee, has been following this project closely and visiting the site several times a year. We can’t thank Hratch enough for the services he provides to the AMAA in Armenia.

THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE


The Avedisian School completed the academic year by switching to online instructions after the government decree to stop classroom instructions in the spring. We were supposed to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the School in June but that was also canceled.

The Armenian Evangelical Union of North America, the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Church of France and the C&E Merdinian Armenian Evangelical School have approached the AMAA for additional help because of losses and special situations created by the pandemic. Summer camps on the East and West Coasts of the United States also suffered because their activities were curtailed. The AMAA responded to all these requests positively and we are happy that we were able to ease the pain of our mission partners at least to some extent.

Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to the AMAA staff for the care and dedication they demonstrated to the organization during the lockdown that was necessitated by the pandemic. Working from home, they were able to carry on the essential work of the organization with an occasional visit to the office by individuals as it was necessary. Special thanks also to the Executive Director/CEO for staying in close touch with all our mission fields in these difficult times and for his leadership in this time of crisis worldwide.

In Psalm 103:2-4, we read:Praise the Lord, my soul,and forget not all his benefits—3 who forgives all your sinsand heals all your diseases,4 who redeems your life from the pitand crowns you with love and compassion.

Let us put our trust in the Lord and continue with the hope that He will restore our world and save us from disasters just as He has done so many times before.

Respectfully submitted, Nazareth E. Darakjian M.D., President


EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/CEO’S MESSAGE/REPORT

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

August 2019 was a glamorous continuation to the celebratory mood the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) was enjoying after several years of Centennial celebrations and a sprint toward the end of a successful campaign of Centennial fundraising.

God has been faithful to the AMAA as AMAA has been faithful to the Great Commission, emulating the life and teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on earth. In a leap toward its second century and faithful to its legacy, the AMAA was ready to embrace the future. With fervent passion to carry on its mission, the AMAA was ready to fight poverty, offer spiritual nourishment, provide quality education, vital healthcare, and sow hope for a brighter future for our kin in Armenia, Artsakh, the Near East, Europe, Eurasia, the Americas and everywhere the grace of God has taken us.

Diligent preparations paid off to accomplish a super successful 100th Annual Meeting in Boston followed by yet another historic and memorable Banquet honoring the AMAA’s founder, The Armenian Evangelical Church. Led by gracious Banquet Chairs John and Michele Simourian, the event added valuable proceeds to the Centennial campaign taking us above the $15M mark or 75% of our goal.

A new Board of Directors, energized by the joyous spirit of the celebratory years gone by, welcomed 2020 with exciting plans for the year. On the agenda was the 20th anniversary of the Avedisian School, the 25th anniversary of AMAA’s entry to Artsakh, the AMAA Tour to Armenia and Artsakh, inauguration of the Bedrosian administrative and Christian Education building in Shushi and finally back to a new post-centennial Annual Meeting and Banquet in Fresno, California.

Proverbs 16:9 Came to change man’s plans. “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”

Soon after our last face-to-face Board meeting held in early March in Los Angeles, the world witnessed and continues to experience a new and unprecedented realty, which does not have its match in the lifelong memory of today’s global population. The World Health Organization (WHO) called the cause, COVID-19.

Since the outburst of the pandemic, one thing has proved to be correct. Uncertainty is the name of the game and continues to rule.

As a result, the world came to a halt as public activities, national and international travel and all types of public gatherings paused.

Although the country gradually started its way out of lockdown and back to normality, a new wave of COVID-19 pressed the brakes, slowing the pace of openings and the return to normal life and activity.

Living through the new norms, the country came to make the word ZOOM a household name and adapt to connect virtually both nationally and internationally as evidenced by our virtual Annual Meeting today from the locked-down bases in our home and countries.

The AMAA offices followed suit and closed while staff stayed in their homes directing operations as much as the pandemic allowed.

The AMAA ED/CEO remained in Los Angeles and continued to manage operations and administer the office from a distance like all other staff.

This report will now continue to describe the operations of the AMAA and highlight major events and activities during the fiscal year under review.

At this juncture of the report, I would like to devote my thoughts to the most vulnerable mission field, that of the Near East. I believe the state of our mission today and tomorrow deserves all the attention that I can devote in sharing my thoughts on its current state and dreams of the future.

Growing up as a teenager in Aleppo, Syria in the 50s and 60s was super interesting. Syria had won its independence in 1946 and until the date I left for Lebanon for my higher education in 1964, Syria had witnessed around a dozen military coup d’états, installed 12 presidents and enacted numerous states of emergencies. Bloodshed and violence were minimal and judging from our relative immaturity, we seemed to have fun witnessing historical events unfold before our eyes.


In hindsight, what we were witnessing in terms of intensity and destruction compared to the fire of the current day geopolitical conflict in the region was a campfire vs a conventional nuclear bomb.

So much has changed in the Near East where our forebears took refuge after the Genocide.So much has changed from the climax of the renaissance of the survivors of Armenians in the Near East

compared to today.So much have Christians lost in intellect, leadership, human resources and mere numbers in the population of

the region.Both the long lasting and unfinished war in Syria and the stubborn deterioration of safety, security, economic

stability and mere standard of living in Lebanon, have once again shaken the communities, depopulating the region with waves of confused and disoriented migrants.

War and deteriorating economic conditions have in general impoverished those remaining behind heavily increasing their dependence on outside assistance and support.

While numbers have fallen, the AMAA budget allocations have increased to those fortunate enough ending up in the Homeland, and those remaining behind.

Since October 2019, our largest institutional community in the Near East ̶ Lebanon ̶ witnessed political upheavals, economic collapse, financial crisis, liquidity crunch and COVID-19. August 4, 2020 capped all the above with the devastating Beirut port area explosion. The blast caused extensive damage to human lives and properties. Fifteen Armenians died in the explosion and scores were wounded. Residential homes in a wide radius of the explosion were blasted turning them uninhabitable. Structures of Armenian Evangelical churches and schools including Haigazian University were heavily damaged. In an appeal circulated by the President of the Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches of the Near East, Rev. Megrditch Karagoezian, the estimated cost of damages to the AE community was set at $900,000.

That, of course, is the material damage, which will eventually be repaired. The toll is heavier in the mood and disposition of the community. “Hope” for the future of the country is one of the major victims, the reverberations of which we shall come to see in the levels of exodus from the country.

There is an enormous spirit of goodwill among global NGOs and some governments who are pouring in medical supplies and basic food supplies. As the initial shock from the blast passes, aid will slow, leaving pain to sustain and hope to linger. Moreover, although the AMAA will exercise unwavering support to our communities, it should be clear that optimism alone is not enough as we should collectively and objectively be realists.

Hope is existential but hope pursues a vision. I pose the question ̶ what is the vision in the Near East now?Today, as we come face to face with those whose generosity, love of God and man is mirrored through the

mission of the AMAA, we remain cognizant of management’s uncompromising sense of responsibility, total attentiveness to the mission, prudent management of funds, stringent accountability, unblemished reputation and a total commitment to transparency.

In that sense of responsibility, we submit to the broader membership of the Association a summary of the significant events, activities that portray what transpired in the fiscal year 2019-2020.

A. PARAMUS HEADQUARTERS

A.1. HEALTH and SAFETY of STAFF and OPERATIONSBecause of COVID-19, having the health and safety of the AMAA staff in mind and with stay-at-home guidelines

in New Jersey, by mid-March, the AMAA office began working remotely. Staff were set up for remote access to individual computer workstations to access server and digital files. The auto attendant feature on the new phone system was activated with staff checking voice mails from their homes.

I cancelled my flight to New Jersey and joined the staff working remotely from my home office in Glendale, California.

The office building remained accessible to staff when needed with social distancing and sanitizing guidelines applied. Our office support staff member, Gil Blandon, attended to the office every day since April 6 from 10 am-2pm.

Beginning March 26, we introduced regular weekly teleconferenced devotionals and staff meetings with the participation of senior AMAA and ECA staff in Armenia and Artsakh. AMAA President and Treasurer occasionally joined the weekly meetings and an invited guest minister offered a devotional.

With the anticipation of an eventual lifting of the stay-at-home order, Operations Director, Magda Poulos researched and put together a procedural guideline that will follow Local, State, Federal and CDC mandates.


Banking operations, processing donations, international wires, accounting services, postings, sponsorship, scholarship and acknowledgments remained operational remotely and by occasional office attendance.

Global communication regularly continued with Armenia, Artsakh, the Near East, Australia, Europe and South America assuring our mission partners of our commitments, checking on their needs, ensuring their safety and wellness and extending a helping hand.

A.2. PERSONNELIn September 2019, Aren Deyirmenjian of Beirut, Lebanon took up his position as Deputy AMAA Armenia

Representative moving to Yerevan, Armenia.

A.3. DEVELOPMENT, FUNDRAISING and PUBLICITYAMAA Direct Mail, Social Media Fundraising, Publicity and Promotion regularly continued until around March

2020 with vigor and without interruption.The emergence of the pandemic and the developing socio-economic crisis in the Near East changed our attention

turning the spotlight to the Near East, primarily to Lebanon. Between April to July 2020, the AMAA launched the following annual or emergency fundraising campaigns.

a. NEAR EAST RELIEF: With the economic crisis and its consequences on our communities in the Near East in mind, we launched “Your Gift – Their Relief” a mass mailing campaign to raise funds for the current and potential dire needs of our schools, churches and affiliated institutions in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Iran.

b. EASTER APPEAL: Our regular annual Easter Appeal mass mailing.c. COVID-19 RESPONSE FUND: Realizing the exasperating effects of COVID-19 on all conceived needs in

the Near East and the impact of the pandemic on communities in Armenia and Artsakh and North America, we launched an emergency COVID-19 RESPONSE FUND Campaign in April utilizing AMAA’s Social Media resources.

d. Mailed a special Near East crisis appeal to a select list of donors.e. The April-May-June issue of the AMAA News included a return envelope appealing for donations of food,

nutrition and sanitary supply packages.f. Responding to the Azeri aggression on the North East Armenian border, the AMAA launched the “I LOVE

TAVUSH” campaign in support of the Tavush communities and as has been AMAA policy, the families of martyred Armenian soldiers.

The August 4 Beirut Port explosion was another turning point to invigorate our “CRISIS IN LEBANON – OUR COMMITMENT” Campaign which is in progress.

The AMAA Donor base has been very generous in revealing their Christ-centered love and compassion of fellow Armenians and fellow human beings in their need. Encouraging statements, supportive messages, and some significant donations have touched our hearts, multiplied the joy and treasured the mission.

A.4. AMAA News1) The July-Aug.-Sept 2019 issue featured Armenians in Eurasia2) The Oct-Nov-Dec 2019 issue featured Avedisian School’s LEED Certificate 4) The Jan-Feb-Mar 2020 issue featured Armenian Presbyterian Church of Yettem, CA 5) The Apr-May-June 2020 issue featured COVID-19 Revelations

A.5. AMAA 2019 ANNUAL MEETING and CENTENNIAL BANQUETThanks to Co-Chairs John and Michele Simourian, an energized and dedicated Banquet Committee and Paramus

support staff, AMAA’s 100th Annual Meeting Banquet in Boston was a smashing success.Banquet attendance at 289 was an AMAA record for the region. Gross income, sponsorship, pledges and

sponsorship funds and ticket sales totaled around $227,000, expenses of $54,000 and net excess of income over expenses of $173,000.

The two projected video clips, dedicated to the LEED Certification of the Avedisian School and the honoree The Armenian Evangelical Church, were well received, thanks to Elise Kalfayan, Tina Segel in the US and Harout Nercessian and Suren Sahakyan in Armenia who worked with me on the production.

A memorable and historic commemorative worship service and reception at the cradle of the founding church of the AMAA, the Armenian Church of the Martyrs in Worcester, followed the Sunday morning installation service at the Armenian Memorial Church in Watertown.


Special thanks to Rev. Avedis Boynerian and a very well-organized AMC host committee for the wonderful reception that did not miss any detail or need in welcoming guests, transportation, and beyond abundance of nutrition.

Similarly, special gratitude to Rev. Stephen Carlyle and the Church Council of the Armenian Church of the Martyrs in Worcester for a well-organized and beautiful worship service and reception. .

A.6. AMAA SCHOLARSHIPSFor the academic year 2020-2021, AMAA awarded $221,300 in direct scholarship grants to college students.

Eighty-five deserving students attending colleges and universities in North America received scholarships. In addition, $32,000 more was assigned for qualified university students in Armenia.Specially designated scholarships to Haigazian University students continued to flow.

AMAA funding also provided college scholarships to students in Syria, Lebanon and Seminary students in the United States.

A.7. CENTENNIAL CAPITAL CAMPAIGNThanks to all those who toiled during the campaign, the AMAA Centennial Capital Campaign formally ended

on December 31, 2019 with a success rate of over 75%. With a $20M campaign goal, total one-time gifts and pledges totaled $15,251,883.

A.8. COOPERATIVE COMMITTEE on ARMENIAN MISSIONS (CCAM)The 2020 CCAM teleconference took place on Thursday, March 12, 2020. The percentage distribution of the

DONCHIAN FUND, approved by the Board on March 7 as 50% Armenia, 35% Lebanon and 15% Syria, was ratified. United Church of Christ-Global Ministries reported a spendable distribution of $182,644 from 2019.

A.9. RELATIONS WITH THE MOTHER CHURCH IN ARMENIARelations with the Mother Church in the Homeland and the Diaspora remain warm and friendly. The AMAA ED/CEO maintains regular contact with Catholicos Karekin II on his visits to Armenia (September

2019) or by personal phone calls.

A.10. CHILD and ORPHAN CARE ANNUAL FASHION SHOW – April 2020The Los Angeles Orphan and Child Care 2020 Fashion Show and Silent Auction Luncheon, ‘Our Secret Garden’,

scheduled at the Beverly Hills Hotel for April 18, 2020 did not take place due to COVID- 19. Thanks to a hard-working committee, donations for the cause came in generously raising an amazing sum of $152,605. Every year I find myself short of words to express my gratitude to the devoted and faithful group of women under the leadership of Arsine Phillips and Lori Muncherian. May the Lord bless them.

A.11. AMAA 2020 SUMMER INTERNSHIP The 2020 AMAA Summer Internship was cancelled due to COVID-19.

A.12. AMAA 2020 MEDICAL MISSION Due to COVID-19, the 2020 AMAA Medical Mission was cancelled. With medicine and medical supplies on

hand, the AMAA Armenia Medical Team, under guidance from Dr. Albert Phillips, will examine the patients this year in Vanadzor, Alaverti, Tumanyan and Stepanavan in the north and in Sisian, Goris and Kapan in the South.

AMAA hails Dr. and Mrs. Albert Phillips, Dr. Chris Tashjian and all the Medical Mission volunteers for their willingness to emulate the Lord and serve the needs of our people.

A.13. US SANCTIONS – Syria and Iran LicenseIn March 2019, AMAA filed a submission to the Office of Foreign Assets Control – OFAC ̶ requesting interpretive

guidance whether AMAA’s provision of service to its Syria and Iran communities is in line with the general licenses found in the Syria and Iran Sanctions Resolutions.

After a vigorous pursuit, on March 5, 2020 we received an official licensing from the US Department of Treasury to transmit funds to cover our operations in Syria and Iran. It is a renewable two-year license.

A.14. WILLS & BEQUESTSDuring the fiscal year, AMAA graciously received bequests from the following residual Trusts.Agopian, Diana 14,575.00Ashodian, Isabelle 100,000.00


Esaian-Noga, Virginia 50,000.00 Giligian, Arden 1,885.00Hoogasian, Alice $ 150,000.00Lion, Isabel 10,420.00Michaelian, Donald S. and Carolyn Family Trust $ 119,944.55 Sayarman, Nubar $1,203,277.00

May the memory of these donors eternally live in the glowing flame of the AMAA’s mission around the

world.

B. MISSION FIELDS

B.1. AMAA Armenia Here is a list of our activities in the Homeland.

B.1.1. Mission AMAA operations in Armenia and Artsakh are the major mission fields of operation with over 50% of the annual budget allocated there. Harout Nercessian and Rev. Mgrdich Melkonian lead the AMAA and ECA operations, respectively. Due to the pandemic, I could not pay my traditional spring visit to Armenia and Lebanon. As years go by, positive recognition and awareness of the AMAA’s presence and activities in the Homeland continue to grow. AMAA centers continue to witness a decent expansion thanks to new construction and expanded capacities. Since the velvet revolution in spring 2018, employment continues to grow as services and programs expand and increase. Relations with the Mother Church are warm and friendly in most regions with a few unshakable exceptions. The political atmosphere has lost its welcomed spirit of optimism, confidence and hope that followed the velvet revolution, but most polls still reflect a good deal of support of the new regime. The much-anticipated economic growth might not have reached ‘miraculous’ expectations but expansion of the economy and other economic development data is still encouraging. AMAA operations are dynamic but interaction with the new government offices needs a jumpstart. Since March 2020, Armenia is in lockdown due to the pandemic. Following government directives, furthered by my instructions, most of our staff switched to working remotely from home with only a handful of employees going to the office on a need basis. The general atmosphere in which the church operates is positive with decreased pressure and/or restrictions. AMAA continues to follow a policy of restrained expansion coupled with improved services.

B.1.2. Evangelical Church of Armenia Continued political turmoil, economic collapse, financial restrictions and immeasurable inflation continue to plague the Middle East enhancing my conviction of the growing importance and the role of the Evangelical Church of Armenia (currently 24 churches in Armenia and Artsakh) in the framework of the future of the Armenian Evangelical movement. The community in Syria will not fully recover while Lebanon follows suit on the road to uncertainty and slow meltdown. Both political upheaval and economic unrest dominate the region portraying an opaque future. Despite apparent flares, the West too continues to experience degeneration, schisms within the church and a drought in recruits answering the call to spiritual leadership. Armenia remains the most fertile soil where the Evangelical Church of Armenia can grow and revive the mission of its founding fathers in illuminating the nation through the dissemination of the Word of ‘I am the light of the world.’ The AMAA continues to encourage and nurture the Church, which can and should thrive and potentially perpetuate the movement in independent Armenia.

Rev. Melkonian continues his diligent service in leading, teaching, supervising and mentoring pastors in Armenia through spiritual retreats, seminars, training, interning and ‘upper room’ experiences.

The Church, in general, still suffers from the following ailments:1) Lacks solid growth with anchored and self-supportive congregations.2) Has shown minimal progress toward financial independence.3) Falls behind in engaging its leadership in academic, theological and scholarly public appearance

and exposure.More work needs to be done on the above concerns to bring the ECA closer to the dynamic entity that is hoped

to perpetuate the Armenian Evangelical experience.

B.1.3. Avedisian SchoolThe Avedisian High School continues to excel in the field of education with all of its sixteen 2020 graduates

being enrolled in universities. The student body as well as the school budget are on the climb and efforts will continue to ensure that the School Endowment Fund follows.


In early March 2020, following the lockdown, the School immediately switched to online learning. Due to the pandemic, the public commencement ceremony did not take place.

The student population keeps expanding. Twenty-four KG and 41 first-grade students were admitted for the 2020-21 academic year.

More attention should be given to raise and expand the Avedisian School Endowment Fund in anticipation of growing enrollment, higher wages and enhanced technology in the School.

We are proud of the Avedisian School.

B.1.4. ConstructionBy fiscal year end the following construction projects were completed, in planning or in progress.

Executive Board Member Hratch Sarkis, to whom I extend AMAA’s utmost gratitude, continues to oversee and administer most AMAA construction projects in Armenia. They are:

1) IJEVAN CENTER RENOVATION Phase I and II are completed. Phase III embarked in August 2020.

2) BEDROSIAN SHUSHI CAMP OFFICE and CE CENTER Construction is complete.

3) STEPANAVAN ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING Construction in progress, due to complete by the end of 2020.

4) STEPANAVAN CHURCH WATER ISOLATION AND RENOVATION Construction commenced in August 2020.

5) SISIAN AMAA/HFA CENTER SECOND FLOOR RENOVATION A joint venture between the AMAA and Hope for Armenia. Construction is complete.

6) SHEEN SHOGHIG CAMP (Hankavan) DINING ROOM REMODELING Work commenced in August 2020.

B.1.5. Programs and Services in Armenia and ArtsakhThe AMAA is actively engaged in the following vital programs and services rendered in Armenia and Artsakh

most of which are at levels of the previous year or have slightly grown:EDUCATION – AVEDISIAN HIGH SCHOOLMILK FUNDSTITCHED WITH LOVEORPHAN and CHILD CARESHOGH DAY CENTERSTUTORING CENTERSMEDICAL and DENTAL CARE – AYNILIAN CLINICARTSAKH KINDERGARTENSCHRISTMAS SHOE BOXESCHRISTMAS JOYCHRISTIAN EDUCATIONBORDER VILLAGE RENOVATION PUBLICATIONSTHEATER CHOIR

B.2. Near East B.2.1. SyriaB.2.1.1 GENERAL CONDITIONS IN SYRIADespite continued U.S. sanctions and lack of AMAA funding in most of the fiscal year 2019-2020, community

life in Syria seemed to be active and fervent. Relative safety and security prevailed in sections under the control of the Syrian government where church life was visibly blazing and attendance intense.

Then came COVID-19 and the inaction of new U.S. sanctions (the Caesar’s Act enforced on June 17, 2020) to turn the tables upside down. In late Spring, Syria witnessed a spiral of devaluation of the Syrian Pound, economic downturn, and skyrocketing prices of food, provisions and other life necessities. With barren pharmacies and hospitals, COVID-19 wreaked havoc, sowing death among the community.

U.S. Treasury licensing of the AMAA in March 2020, made the first infusion of budgetary assistance possible, which was surely welcomed.


Through the remarkable efforts of Rev. Harout Selimian, new sources secured through European governmental and institutional channels and a growing level of income from a few Armenian Evangelical educational institutions helped alleviate the absence of AMAA assistance most of the fiscal year.

Turkish ‘Ottoman’ expansionism, East–West rivalry, the Israeli-Iranian duel and continued U.S. sanctions, all push back any possible political settlement, resulting in the extended suffering of our people in Syria.

The AMAA continues its moral and material support of Syrian Armenians in Syria, Lebanon and Armenia where thousands of refugees are still struggling to settle.

B.2.2. LebanonB.2.2.1. GENERAL CONDITIONSLebanon continues to grapple with its worst economic crisis for many decades. The Lebanese Pound is in free

fall losing 80% of its value against the U.S. Dollar. Hyperinflation has settled in, unemployment is at record rate and 50% of the population is estimated to be under the poverty line.

The estimated budget deficit of all Armenian Evangelical Schools in the fiscal year was around $700,000, painting a grim picture of things to come in the next academic year. Parents are unable to pay tuition and faculty and staff have lost a significant value of the purchasing power of their earnings.

An ominous outlook of the future is frightening and the only word that describes that future is uncertainty. On June 4, the AMAA Near East Committee met with its counterpart in the UAECNE in a Zoom virtual teleconference, closely acquainting itself with the crisis and its repercussions on the community and its institutions.

The August 4 Beirut Port explosion and the subsequent resignation of the government together with a fervent COVID-19 assault have made the situation in Lebanon unbearable throwing communities into hopelessness and despair.

Cognizant of the deteriorating socio-economic and financial crisis engulfing the community in Lebanon, AMAA Management embarked on an intensive effort of fundraising to fight the spiral of evil on all fronts.

So far, the AMAA’s combined fundraising effort has surpassed the $1.6M mark. However, the financial and banking crisis in the country continues to hinder our ability to reach out as fast as we can and like. Conditions on the ground will certainly delay transmittal and/or withdrawal of funds.

B.2.2.2. Haigazian UniversityDespite the impact of the financial crisis, COVID-19 and the Beirut explosion, Haigazian University ended the

current Fiscal Year on fair financial grounds with a controllable deficit. The future though does not seem to be bright. A wave of dark clouds is on the horizon. The concerns are multi-

faceted and deep. They involve safety concerns, enrollment uncertainties, academic and faculty challenges, financial worries and a lot more. Monthly, weekly and even daily developments have their direct impact on the overall situation and uncertainty of the future is what scares everyone. There is an exodus wave, especially among the youth, who have lost hope in the future of the country.

As reported last year, reflecting the wave of continued exodus, fierce competition and economic hardship, the number of Armenian students enrolling in the university is in a slow but constant drop. The outlook, following a general assessment of the geo-political future of the region does not give much hope for the tide to reverse. Haigazian University remains the pride of the Armenian Evangelical global community with its vital role in preparing regional and international public leadership. However, we should be mindful of the future of our communities and establishments in this volatile part of the world.

Please continue to pray for Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, President of Haigazian, and Lebanon.

B.2.3. TurkeyWith COVID-19, Syria, Lebanon and border clashes in Armenia, our community in Turkey has been at bay in the

year under review. Turkey itself has been aggressively and dangerously involved in all kinds of conflicts, including military, on all of its borders and beyond. The Erdogan regime continues to sway toward autocracy suppressing democracy.

My contacts with Rev. Ağabaloğlu have been limited but I believe the small community that he leads in Gedik Pasa is in peace.

The Hrant Dink Middle School at the Gedik Pasa Church continues to serve the children of Armenian migrants who have taken employment refuge in Turkey.

The renovation and reconstruction plans of CAMP ARMEN, led by a Community Reconstruction Committee, faces obstacles from the Tuzla Municipality. The Committee has appealed the case again in Istanbul.


B.2.4. AustraliaThe Armenian Missionary Association of Australia continues to remain vibrant and productive under the able

leadership of its Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Krikor Youmshajekian.

B.3 The Americas

B.3.1. AMAA SundaysThe pandemic limited scheduling AMAA Sundays in AEUNA churches since March 2020. Personal contacts,

emails and Zoom meetings have taken over as an essential and practical way of continued direct interaction between the AMAA and the AEUNA member churches in the Americas.

We thank most AEUNA churches and Mission Committees for their support and partnership and sincerely call upon the rest to join us in our Mission and in support of its programs and services.

B.3.2. Joint Home Missions Committee – JHMC The Moderator, MTTU and Treasurer of the Union together with the President, Treasurer and the AMAA Executive Director/CEO convene annually to review the Union’s needs. The JHMC of the AMAA and AEUNA met again in spring 2020 to review the budget request of the Union for ministerial needs in the Americas in the 2020-21 budget.

B.3.4 South AmericaAMAA continues to follow the status and supports the three ministries of Armenian Evangelical churches in

South America. Regretfully, AEUNA sponsored and ordained minister at the Buenos Aires church, Rev. Ara Mkhitaryan abandoned his post and moved to Los Angeles. We continue to hope and pray that the integration of these three churches in the AEUNA will bring much needed revival, energy and support.

B.3.5 North AmericaThe AMAA closely watches the state of our churches, pulpits, youth camps and is in direct contact with the AEUNA

MTTU. MTTU Rev. Berdj Djambazian, Moderator Rev. Jeremy Tovmasian and the Executive Committee continue to meet in regular monthly sessions to address the challenges of the Union and actively engage in meeting them.

B.3.6. AEUNA Biennial ConventionThe AEUNA cancelled its 2020 Biennial Convention set for Philadelphia. The AEUNA BOD is planning a video

conferenced convention instead.

B.4. EURASIARussia and GeorgiaDue to COVID-19 events, activities and contacts were limited this year with Russia and Georgia.The good news is that following my visit to the region in 2018, the AMAA started to implement the Child and

Orphan Care program in the much-needed Armenian enclave of Akhalkalak in Georgia. We hope to gradually expand the program and reach as many children there as we can.

Rev. Dr. René Léonian continues to oversee the activities of the AMAA and the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the region with diligence and attentiveness.

B.5. EUROPE FELLOWSHIP AMAA supports all Armenian Evangelical Europe Fellowship ministries and wishes them well in their plans of growth and expansion for the glory of God, the dissemination of the Word of God and the preservation of our national identity.

C. CHALLENGES

Our collective challenges in the sphere of the following areas continues, and needs collective attention and serious consideration:-recruiting new spiritual church leadership.-mobilization of the youth. -communities at risk in the Near East.

Prayers, focus and action are all necessary.


D. LETTERS and MESSAGES

A host of celebratory letters and/or messages of sympathy were addressed to churches, organizations, institutions, families and individuals marking various occasions.

E. GRATITUDE

To God Almighty for His continued faithfulness to the AMAA.To all donors whose faith and trust in the AMAA has made its mission roll and grow.To all staff in Paramus, Armenia and Artsakh whose dedication and hard work has made the mission possible.To all Officers, Board members, Committee members, volunteers, District Committees and mission partners,

whose cooperation, support, and dedication has moved the mission forward. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according

to His purpose.” Romans 8:28I am humbled to be in the service of the Lord through the good offices of the AMAA.Thank you, donors, Board and Committee members, volunteers and staff. Sincere and heartfelt gratitude to all.

Respectfully submitted, Zaven Khanjian, Executive Director/CEO


SECTION I - AMAA AT A GLANCE

The Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) is a non-profit charitable organization serving as the missionary arm of the Armenian Evangelical churches worldwide. The AMAA was founded in 1918 in Worcester, MA; and incorporated in 1920 in the state of New York (ID #13-5670954N). The purpose of the AMAA as defined in Article III of its bylaws is: “The AMAA shall have at heart the religious cultivation, spiritual growth and development of the Armenian people, enabling them to stand firmly in their Christian faith, to devote themselves to Christian mission and to uphold the follow-ing purposes as the basis of all the activities of the Association:a. To act as an Armenian Evangelical (Protestant) missionary organization within the family of the Armenian Evangelical reform movement and the universal Church of Jesus Christ. b. To encourage by all means the missionary interests of and religious educational, literary and philanthropic work of Armenian Evangelical (Protestant) Churches, Unions, organizations and individuals throughout the world.c. To promote fellowship among the Armenian Evangelical churches and the Armenian Evangelical-Protestant people throughout the world.d. To do everything necessary or incident for the accomplishment of any or all of the foregoing purposes, including the establishment and management of trust funds and the acquisition of bequests, consistent with the law and with the principles of Evangelical Christianity.” To fulfill this worldwide mission, the AMAA operates and/or supports a range of educational, evangelism, relief, community development, social service, health care, church, child care and other ministries in the following countries:

The AMAA is governed by an elected Board of Directors composed of twenty-seven unpaid members. Moderators of the Armenian Evangelical Unions of France, Near East and North America are Honorary Vice Presidents, serving as Ex-Officio members on the Board of Directors. The AMAA’s committees are composed of qualified, unpaid volunteers. The AMAA cooperates with Armenian and non-Armenian mission and service organizations, such as The Stephen Philibosian Foundation, the Telfeyan Evangelical Fund, The Armenian Theological Student Aid, the United Church Board for World Ministries, the Church World Service and Witness Unit of the National Council of Churches of Christ-USA, the Jinishian Memorial Program of the Presbyterian Church–USA, the German and Swiss Hilfsbund Mission, Action Chretienne En Orient–France, Service d’Entraide et de Liaison–France, Armenia Fund–USA, and other colleague agencies. The AMAA is headquartered at 31 West Century Road, Paramus, New Jersey 07652, USA, and in Armenia at 18, Marshal Baghramyan Street, Yerevan, Armenia. The AMAA has branches functioning as chapters or mission committees of local churches in the United States and abroad. It also has District Committees or affiliates serving as regional Armenian Missionary Associations in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Iran and Uruguay. A paid Executive Director/CEO with paid office staff administers the life and work of the Association. Administra-tive and overhead costs are kept low. AMAA emphasizes full financial disclosure, accountability and careful stewardship of funds. Financial records are audited annually. The mission and service ministry of the AMAA is rendered in the name of Jesus Christ, and is made possible by the gifts of individuals and churches who are committed to fulfilling the Great Commission — “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15)

Abkhazia Argentina Armenia Artsakh Australia Belgium

Brazil BulgariaCanada Cyprus EgyptFrance

Georgia Germany Greece Holland Iran Iraq

LebanonRussiaSyria TurkeyUnited States of AmericaUruguay


ARMENIAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, INC.BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

2020

OFFICERSPresident: Nazareth Darakjian, M.D.Vice President: Michael Voskian, D.M.D. Treasurer: Nurhan Helvacian, Ph.D.Co-Recording Secretaries: Mark Kassabian, Esq. and Thomas Momjian, Esq.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/CEOZaven Khanjian

FIELD DIRECTOR/PASTOR TO PASTORS IN ARMENIARev. Mgrdich Melkonian

AMAA ARMENIA REPRESENTATIVEHarout Nercessian

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EX-OFFICIORev. Berdj Djambazian (Minister to AEUNA)Mihran Jizmejian (AMA-Canada - President/CEO)Joyce Philibosian Stein (Stephen Philibosian Foundation)Rev. Dr. Vahan Tootikian (AEWC - Executive Director)Rev. Dr. Krikor Youmshajekian (AMA-Australia - President/CEO)

PAST PRESIDENTSH. Steven Aharonian, M.D.George Bezirganian, M.D.Andrew TorigianJoseph Zeronian, Ed.D.

HONORARY VICE PRESIDENTSRev. Megrditch Karagoezian (President, UAEC-Near East)Rev. Dr. René Léonian (President (UAEC-Eurasia)Rev. Joël Mikaélian (President, UAEC-France)Rev. Garnik Tutikyan (President, UEC-Armenia)Rev. Jeremy Tovmassian (Moderator, AEU-North America)

Class of 2021Bryan AgbabianBryan BedrosianRev. Avedis Boynerian, D.Min.John CherkezianMark Kassabian, Esq.Kenneth KevorkianLouis KurkjianHeather Ohaneson, Ph.D.Michele Simourian

Class of 2020Edward AvedisianNazareth Darakjian, M.D.Thomas Momjian, Esq.Jack MuncherianVahe Nalbandian, Ph.D.Alan Philibosian, Esq.Gary Phillips, Esq.Ann Karagozian Sarafian, Ph.D.Eileen Chopourian Stephey, Ed.D.

Class of 2022LindaKay AbdulianH. Steven Aharonian, M.D.Rafi Balabanian, D.D.S.Phyllis DohanianNurhan Helvacian, Ph.D.Rev. Haig Kherlopian, D.Min.Seta Loshkajian NalbandianJennifer Telfeyan-LaRoeMichael Voskian, D.M.D.


STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEESNote: The President and the Executive Director/CEO shall be Ex-Officio members of all Committees except the Audit Committee.

BUDGET-FINANCE COMMITTEE

Nurhan Helvacian, Ph.D. - ChairH. Steven Aharonian, M.D. John Cherkezian

Louis Kurkjian Lori MuncherianAlan Philibosian, Esq.

Nazareth Darakjian, M.D. - PresidentMichael Voskian, D.M.D. - Vice PresidentMark Kassabian, Esq. - Co-Recording SecretaryThomas Momjian, Esq. - Co-Recording SecretaryNurhan Helvacian, Ph.D. - TreasurerH. Steven Aharonian, M.D. - MemberAnn Karagozian Sarafian, Ph.D. - MemberVahe Nalbandian, Ph.D. - Member

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Gary Phillips, Esq. - MemberHratch Sarkis - MemberMichele Simourian - MemberNon-voting Ex-OfficioZaven Khanjian - Executive Director/CEOJoseph Zeronian, Ed.D. - Immediate Past PresidentJoyce Philibosian Stein - Stephen Philibosian Foundation

ARMENIA COMMITTEEAnn Karagozian Sarafian, Ph.D. - Chair Ara Apelian, M.D.Edward AvedisianVahram Aynilian

Bryan BedrosianPhyllis Dohanian Rev. Ara Guekguezian

Jack MuncherianJoseph SteinCarlos Taraktzian

AUDIT COMMITTEEGary Phillips, Esq. - Chair Bryan Agbabian

Edward Kaiserian Mark Kassabian, Esq. Lori Muncherian

Vahe Nalbandian, Ph.D. Joseph Zeronian, Ed.D.

Gary Phillips, Esq. Michael Voskian, D.M.D. Joseph Zeronian, Ed.D.

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS COMMITTEEMark Kassabian, Esq. - ChairH. Steven Aharonian, M.D. Alice Altoon, Hon. (Ret)

Thomas Momjian, Esq. Alan Philibosian, Esq. Gary Phillips, Esq.

DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

LindaKay Abdulian - Chair Berjouhy Barsoumian GulesserianJack MuncherianKenneth KevorkianPhyllis Dohanian

Levon FilianLori MuncherianSeta Loshkajian Nalbandian Heather Ohaneson, Ph.D. Jennifer Telfeyan-LaRoe

Arsine Phillips George Phillips, Jr., Esq.Tammy Bedrosian Shegerian Eileen Chopourian Stephey, Ed.D. Marina Saatjian Sweeney

CHRISTIAN LIFE COMMITTEEHeather Ohaneson, Ph.D. - ChairRafi Balabanian, D.D.S.Rev. Avedis Boynerian, D.Min.

Mark Kassabian, Esq.Rev. Haig Kherlopian, D.Min.


MANAGERS OF REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES COMMITTEE

NEAR EAST COMMITTEE

Gary Phillips, Esq. - ChairAnita BuchakjianLuther Gueyikian

George R. Phillips, Esq. Hratch Sarkis

H. Steven Aharonian, M.D. - Chair Bryan AgbabianSerge Buchakjian

EUROPE COMMITTEE

Louis Kurkjian - ChairRafi Balabanian, D.D.S.Hasmig Baran, Ed.D.Berjouhy Barsoumian Gulesserian

Thomas Momjian, Esq. Michele Simourian Joyce Philibosian Stein

INVESTMENT COMMITTEE

Michael Voskian, D.M.D. - ChairH. Steven Aharonian, M.D. Nicholas AynilianVahe BalouzianJohn Cherkezian Nurhan Helvacian, Ph.D.

Aram MinnetianHarold Nahigian Alan Philibosian, Esq.Andrew TorigianAlbert Kapigian-UBS Investment Banker Gregory Krikorian-UBS Investment Banker

JAMES JAMESON ESSAY CONTEST COMMITTEE

NOMINATING COMMITTEEClass of 2021Nurhan Helvacian, Ph.D., ChairMichele SimourianEdward SalibaRev. Jeremy Tovmassian

Class of 2020H. Steven Aharonian, M.D. Rev. Berdj Djambazian Rev. Haig KherlopianMichael Voskian, D.M.D.

Hrag Marganian, M.D.Jack MuncherianGary Phillips, Esq.Joseph Stein

Hratch Sarkis - Co-ChairJoseph Stein - Co-Chair

FOREIGN REAL ESTATE COMMITTEEH. Steven Aharonian, M.D.Louis Kurkjian

Douglas Kurjian, Ph.D. - ChairArthur ArtinianArouss Darpinian

Nurhan Helvacian, Ph.D.Heather Ohaneson, Ph.D.Eileen Chopourian Stephey, Ed.D.

Vahe Nalbandian, Ph.D. - Chair Rev. Avedis BoynerianMark Kassabian, Esq.Rev. Haig Kherlopian, D.Min.

ETHICS COMMITTEEGary Phillips, Esq.Eileen Chopourian Stephey, Ed.D. Michael Voskian, D.M.D.


SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE

PLANNED GIVING COMMITTEE

Robert Hekemian, Jr. - ChairJohn CherkezianArouss Darpinian

Craig Froonjian, D.D.S. Berjouhy Barsoumian GulesserianNurhan Helvacian, Ph.D. (AMAA Treasurer as Ex-Officio)

Thomas Momjian, Esq. - Co-Chair George Phillips, Jr. - Co-Chair

George R. Phillips, Esq.

PERSONNEL COMMITTEEThomas Momjian, Esq. - Co-ChairEileen Chopourian Stephey, Ed.D. - Co-ChairNurhan Helvacian, Ph.D.

Mark Kassabian, Esq.Louis KurkjianSeta Loshkajian Nalbandian

PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

East CoastLucienne Aynilian Seta Loshkajian Nalbandian

West CoastLindaKay Abdulian Arsine Phillips

ORPHAN AND CHILD CARE COMMITTEEMichele Simourian and Joyce Philibosian Stein - National Co-Chairs

Boston AreaSusan Covo - Co-Chair Phyllis Dohanian - Co-Chair Pamela AvedisianEdrina Barsamian Dianne Chilingerian Joanne DeAngelis Jennifer Esserian Armine Hovhannissian Joyce Janjigian Deborah Jigarjian Rosemary MartirosianJeanmarie Papelian, Esq. Candace Simourian Michele Simourian Diane Spera

Los Angeles AreaArsine Phillips - Co-Chair Lori Muncherian - Co-ChairElizabeth Agbabian Jane Asmar

Betty Balian Marilyn Bezdikian Diane Cabraloff Alice Chakrian Gina Felikian Paulette Geragos Lucy Gulvartian Mary Hovanessian Christina JabarianSandra Kalemkiarian Lisa Karamardian Houri KassabianMary Kassabian Argine Jean Kelegian Eileen Keusseyan Leslie Kevorkian Grace KurkjianErika MacArthur Sandy McNutt Christine Minasian Nicole Nishanian

Sevana Ohanian Aleen Oruncakciel Melody Petrossian Sue Phillips Suzie PhillipsBarbara Poladian Irene Sassounian Tina SegelLeslie ShahinianJoyce Philibosian Stein Caroline Tufenkian Savey Tufenkian Jessica Vartoughian Maro YacoubianAni Zakari Christine Zenjiryan

NY/NJ Area Seta Loshkajian Nalbandian - Co-Chair Vickie Shoghag Hovanessian - Co-ChairJennifer Telfeyan-LaRoe


DONCHIAN-COOPERATIVE COMMITTEE ON ARMENIAN MISSIONSAMAANazareth Darakjian, M.D. - AMAA PresidentNurhan Helvacian, Ph.D. - AMAA TreasurerZaven Khanjian - AMAA Executive Director/CEO

UCC Wider Church MinistriesPeter Makari, Ph.D. - Area ExecutiveRev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson – Associate General MinisterBrian Tracy – Controller

MERDINIAN ARMENIAN EVANGELICAL SCHOOL (AMAA Representatives)Varoujan Baghdassarian (June '22)

R E C O G N I Z E D O R G A N I Z A T I O N S

ARMENIAN AMERICAN MUSEUM

AMAA/AEUNA JOINT HOME MISSION COMMITTEE

AEUNA BOARD OF DIRECTORS (AMAA Representatives)

ARMENIAN EVANGELICAL WORLD COUNCIL (AMAA Representatives)

AMAA RepresentativesNazareth Darakjian, M.D. - AMAA President Levon Filian (Alternate)

Zaven Khanjian - AMAA Executive Director/CEO

AMAA Representatives Nazareth Darakjian, M.D. - AMAA PresidentNurhan Helvacian, Ph.D. - AMAA Treasurer Zaven Khanjian - AMAA Executive Director/CEO

AEUNA RepresentativesJeremy Tovmassian - AEUNA ModeratorSouzi Baghdikian - AEUNA TreasurerRev. Berdj Djambazian - Minister to AEUNA

Nazareth Darakjian, M.D. - AMAA President Zaven Khanjian - AMAA Executive Director/CEO

Vahe Nalbandian, Ph.D. (June '22)Levon Filian (June '22)

Nazareth Darakjian, M.D. - AMAA PresidentNurhan Helvacian, Ph.D. - AMAA Treasurer

Zaven Khanjian - AMAA Executive Director/CEO

Vahram L. Shemmassian, Ph.D.PAN AMERICAN COUNCIL – WESTERN U.S. (AMAA Representative)

Vasken KhanjianARMENIA FUND, INC. (AMAA Representative)

"ARMENIAN EDUCATION" EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

H. Steven Aharonian, M.D. - ChairEdward AvedisianNazareth Darakjian, M.D.

Jeanmarie Papelian, Esq.Zaven Khanjian - AMAA Executive Director/CEO

Joyce Philibosian SteinSTEPHEN PHILIBOSIAN FOUNDATION


HAIGAZIAN UNIVERSITY

HAIGAZIAN UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

OFFICERS

Hasmig Baran, Ed.D. - ChairJohn Sagherian - Vice Chair

Eddie Racoubian - TreasurerVahram Shemmassian, Ph.D. - Recording Secretary

Class of 2021 Vicken Aharonian (AMAA)Ani Darakjian, M.D. (AMAA)Dr. Nourijan Demirjian (UAECNE)Michael Landes (AMAA)Kevin Matosian (AMAA)Vartkes Tavlian (AMAA)

Ex-OfficioRev. Paul Haidostian, Ph.D. - HU PresidentNazareth Darakjian, M.D. - AMAA PresidentZaven Khanjian - AMAA Executive Director/CEO

Rev. Megrditch Karagoezian - UAECNE PresidentJoyce Philibosian Stein - SPF Chairperson

HAIGAZIAN UNIVERSITY WOMEN’S AUXILIARY OF LOS ANGELES, CA

Joyce Philibosian Stein - ChairJoyce AbdulianElizabeth AgbabianJulie AharonianPhyllis HamoSilva HussenjianHermine JanoyanMary KassabianThelma KevorkianGrace KurkjianIda Levy

Silva MarounianSirvart MouradianHilda MurachanianSuzie PhillipsAdrienne SagherianDolores SamuelianRita Tilkian Hasserjian

Honorary MembersArsho LousararianInge Markarian

Class of 2020Raffi Boladian (UAECNE)Ani Boujikanian (UAECNE)Robert Kurkjian (AMAA)Maro Nercessian (UAECNE)John Sagherian (UAECNE)Vahram Shemmassian, Ph.D. (AMAA)Christina Segel (AMAA)

Class of 2022Hasmig Baran, Ed.D. (AMAA) Serge Buchakjian (AMAA)J. Barkev M. Kassarjian, Ph.D. (AMAA) Hrag Marganian, M.D. (AMAA)Gary Phillips, Esq. (AMAA)Eddie Racoubian (UAECNE)

HAIGAZIAN UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Varouj CharkhedianProf. Hagop & Mrs. Armine Der-Karabetian Khatchig HavatianRaffi KendirjianSahag LoussinianLoucine Kandaharian Tashdjian

MERDINIAN SCHOOL WOMEN'S AUXILIARY

Louisa Janbazian, Co-PresidentAni Hanessian, Co-PresidentGarine Abajian, Recording SecretaryRita Meneshian, Corresponding SecretaryDee Chorlian, TreasurerThelma Kevorkian, HistorianJuliette AbdulianElizabeth AgbabianMary Atikian

Alice BaghdasarianMaida DerOhanessianMary KassabianKohar MouradianSirvart MouradianSeta NalbandianSuzy PhillipsHelga SarkisKohar Shnorhokian


Rev. Megrditch Karagoezian - UAECNE PresidentJoyce Philibosian Stein - SPF Chairperson

AMAA DISTRICT COMMITTEES - OVERSEAS

ARMENIAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA

Rev. Dr. Krikor Youmshajekian - President/CEOAvo Soghomonian - Vice PresidentMark Cholakyan, M.D. - SecretaryApraham Ishkhanian - Treasurer

ARMENIAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION OF IRAN

Rev. Sergey Shahvertian - PresidentRev. Michel Aghamalian (alternate)Ara AghajanianNegdar Der HovhanessianRev. Vazrik Safarian

Robert Shanazarian Claris Aghajanian ShaverdianCarmen TovmassianMasiss Vartoumian

ARMENIAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION OF URUGUAY

Rev. Obed Boyadjian, D.D.S. - PresidentJorge Moumdjian - Secretary

Robert Moumdjian - Treasurer

ARMENIAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION OF CANADA (AMAC)

Mihran Jizmejian - President/CEO (Ontario)Hagop Basmadjian - Controller/Accountant (Quebec)Sarkis Marandjian - Treasurer (Ontario)Jack Kafesdjian -Treasurer (Quebec)Raffi Shnorhokian - Vice President (Quebec) Ruth Demirjian (Duench) - Vice President (Ontario)Hovig Zakarian - Recording Secretary (Quebec)Zela Sarmazian Kakoussian - Recording Secretary (Ontario)Salpi Kadjemian - Advisor (Ontario)

Armen Buchakjian - Advisor (Ontario)Rev. Georges Dabbo (Ex-Officio) (Quebec)Rev. Hovhannes Svadjian (Ex-Officio) (Quebec)Robert Adourian, Esq. - Solicitor (Ontario)Nazareth Darakjian, M.D. - AMAA President (Ex-Officio)Zaven Khanjian - AMAA Executive Director/CEO (Ex-Officio)Harout Nercessian - AMA-Armenia Representative (Ex-Officio)Rev. Berdj Djambazian - Minister to AEUNA (Ex-Officio)Rev. Jeremy Tovmassian - AEUNA Moderator (Ex-Officio)

Lena Bomoushakian Movses InjejikianViken KeledjianMarie Soghomonian


SECTION I I - MINUTES

ARMENIAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, INC.MINUTES OF ITS ONE HUNDRETH ANNUAL MEETING

Saturday, October 19, 2019 Armenian Memorial Church9:00 a.m. Watertown, Massachusetts

PRELIMINARIESCall to Order: President Nazareth Darakjian, M.D. called the meeting to order at 9:00 am.

Attendance:Board Members, Officers, Ex-Officio & Staff:

Balabanian, D.D.S., RafiBoynerian, Rev. Dr. AvedisCherkezian, JohnDarakjian, M.D., NazarethGulesserian, BerjouhyGuekguezian, Rev., AraHelvacian, Ph.D., NurhanJanbazian, LouisaKhanjian, ZavenKutlu, ChristineLéonian, Rev. Dr. RenéMelkonian, Rev. Mgrdich Mikaélian, Rev. JoëlMomjian, Esq., ThomasNercessian, Harout Karagoezian, Rev. Megrditch Phillips, Esq., GaryPoulos, MagdaRastguelenian, NersesSarkis, Hratch

Simourian, MicheleStein, JoeStein, Joyce Tovmassian, Rev. Jeremy Tutiky-an, Rev. GarnikVoskian, D.M.D., Michael Youm-shajekian, Rev. Dr. Krikor

Guests: Aynilian, Jr., NickAssilian, AraAssilian, EstherAvakian, FlorenceBorekjian, TalinCholakian, Rev. VickenDabbo, Rev. GeorgesDarakjian, Dr. AniGarabedian, Rev. JosephGarabedian, Rev. JoeGarabedian, LenaGulesserian, MauriceJaferian, EdwardKhanjian, Sona

Kherlopian, Rev. Dr. HaigMarganian, Dr. HragMatossian, Rev. JosephMegerditchian, Rev. Serop Melkonian, HouriMinassian, Rev. Razmig Mkhitaryan, Rev. AraMomjian, SezaPapazian, StephenPaytyan, Rev. AlbertPhillips, M.D., AlbertPolyniak, ToddPhillips Sr., Esq., GeorgePhillips, SuePhillips, SuziePoindexter, LucineRastguelenian, LucySelimian, Rev. HaroutuneSetian, ArevigTelefeyan-LaRoe, JenniferTelefeyan, NoraTelefeyan, RolandTovmassian, Rev. Dr. Ron

Opening Prayer: A devotional and opening prayer were offered by Rev. Ara Guekguezian.

Adoption of Agenda: The proposed agenda was adopted as presented.

Minutes of 99th Annual Meeting, held on October 20, 2018 at the United Armenian Congregational Church, Los Angeles, California, were approved as presented.

I. MESSAGES AND REPORTS OF OFFICERS/ADMINISTRATORS

A. President’s Message: The President, Nazareth Darakjian, M.D. referred to his written report and noted that the Centennial Celebrations would continue until the end of the year. He thanked the Simourians for chairing this year’s annual banquet. He gave an update on the Centennial fundraising campaign. Dr. Darakjian also provided remarks on the AMAA’s mission in Armenia and the Middle East.

B. AEF-Europe; AEF-France: Rev. Joël Mikaélian referred to the written reports, summarized the past year’s events and provided updates on ministry and construction projects.


C. AUE-North America: Rev. Jeremy Tovmassian noted that lay leadership is an important part of the Church and that part of the Union’s mission is to make sure our Churches are equipped to serve local communications.

D. AEU-Eurasia: Rev. Dr. René Léonian noted that of the ten million Armenians worldwide, half are located in Europe and the former Soviet Union. He noted visits made by the AMAA’s Executive Director to Moscow and Georgia. He thanked the President and Treasurer of the AMAA for increasing funding every year in Eurasia.

E. UAEC-Near East: Rev. Megrditch Karagoezian noted the turmoil in Lebanon, including the blocked roads. He noted the merger of the two schools in Beirut. He noted that except for one or two, the Churches in this region are experiencing a variety of issues. “But God is God.” Rev. Selimian showed a video on Syria and presented an award to the Executive Director of the AMAA for his dedication and service.

F. UAEC-Armenia: Rev. Mgrdich Melkonian gave a prayer. He gave an update on pastors’ seminars and women’s Bible study. He also spoke about the Christmas Joy Packages Programs.

G. Co-Recording Secretaries: Thomas Momjian, Esq. and Mark Kassabian, Esq. referred to their written report.

H. Treasurer Report: Nurhan Helvacian, Ph.D. referred to his written reports for the 2018-2019 fiscal year. He reviewed revenue/donations, as well as significant income from investment return and rent. He also provided a summary of expenses. The AMAA’s auditor was introduced.

I. Executive Director/CEO: Zaven Khanjian introduced the AMAA staff, and referred to his written report. He thanked the President and Board of Directors.

J. Acting Director of Finance: Nerses Rastguelenian referred to the written report.

K. AMAA Representative in Armenia: Harout Nercessian referred to his written report and presented a slide show. He gave an update on the Avedisian School and noted the 100% university admission.

II. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

A. Armenia Committee: Reference was made to the written report.

B. Audit Committee: Gary Phillips, Esq. referred to the written report and noted the importance of transparency.

C. Medical Mission: Dr. Albert Phillips showed a video on the AMAA’s medical mission and noted the expansion of the mission to Artsakh.

D. Budget and Finance Committee: The Treasurer, Nurhan Helvacian, Ph.D referred to the written

report and gave an update on endowments and donations.

E. Christian Life Committee: Rev. Ara Guekguezian talked about the cooperative committee on Armenian missions.

F. Child and Orphan Care: Joyce Stein thanked Michele Simourian and co-chairs Lori Muncherian and Arsine Phillips, Esq.

G. Constitution and Bylaws Committee: A written report was submitted.

H. Cooperative Committee on Armenian Missions: A written report was submitted.

I. Development Committee: Reference was made to the written report.

J. Europe Committee Reference was made to the written report.


K. Foreign Real Estate Committee: Joe Stein referred to the written report. He thanked Hratch Sarkis for all of his great work.

L. Investment Committee Michael Voskian, DMD, referred to the written report. He thanked the committee and noted the performance of AMAA’s investments.

M. James Jameson Essay Contest Committee: Reference was made to the written report.

N. Managers of Real Estate Committee: Gary Phillips, Esq. referred to the written report.

O. Near East Committee: Berjouhy Gulesserian referred to the written report.

P. Nominating Committee: Thomas Momjian, Esq. distributed ballots in connection with the election of individuals to the nominating committee.

Q. Personnel Committee: Thomas Momjian, Esq. referred to the written report, and he thanked the committee for all of its hard work.

R. Planned Giving Committee: George Phillips, Sr. provided an update and noted the importance of planned giving.

S. Scholarship Committee: A written report was submitted.

III. REPORTS OF AFFILIATED BOARDS

A. Armenian Evangelical World Council: Rev. Joel Mikaelian gave an update and referred to the written report.

B. Haigazian University: Throughout the meeting, participants gave updates on Haigazian University. A written report was also submitted.

C. Haigazian University Alumni Association, Women’s Auxiliary of Los Angeles and Stephen Philibosian Foundation: Joyce Stein referred to the written report.

IV. REPORTS OF AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS

A. Armenian American Museum: A written report was submitted.

B. “Armenian Education” Educational Foundation: A written report was submitted.

C. Armenian Evangelical Schools of California: A written report was submitted and there was a video presentation.

D. Hayastan All Armenia Fund: A written report was submitted.

E. Hope for Armenia: A written report was submitted.

F. Joint Home Missions: Reference was made to the written report.

G. Syrian Armenian Relief Fund: A written report was submitted.

V. REPORTS OF DISTRICT COMMITTEES AND CHAPTERS

A. AMA-Australia: Rev. Dr. Krikor Youmshajekian referred to his written report and brought greetings from Sydney. He noted that 2021 will be a special year, including the 20th Anniversary of the AMAA of Australia. There was a video presentation.

B. AMA Canada: Rev. Georges Dabbo referred to the written report and noted that the Armenian churches and AMA-Canada work together. He also noted the food bank.


C. Armenian Evangelical Churches of Bulgaria: A written report was submitted.

D. Armenian Evangelical Churches of Tehran, Iran: A written report was submitted.

E. Armenian Congregational Church of Sao Paulo, Brazil: A written report was submitted. Ara Mkhitaryan spoke and brought greetings from South America.

F. AMA Uruguay, Montevideo: A written report was submitted.

G. Reports from Church Missions Committees and AMAA Chapters of North American Churches: Written reports were submitted.

VI. ELECTIONS

1. Board of Directors—Class of 2022: The following members were elected to the Board of Directors during the Annual Meeting: LindKay Abdulian, H. Steven Aharonian, M.D., Rafi Balabanian, D.D.S., Phyllis Dohanian, Nurhan Helvacian, Ph.D., Rev. Haig Kherlopian, D.Min., Seta Loshkajian Nalbandian, Michael Voskian, D.M.D.

2. Auditor: A motion was made and duly seconded reappointing Sax LLP as the AMAA’s independent auditor.

3. Four Members to the Nominating Committee: The following individuals were elected to the Nominating committee: Nurhan Helvacian, Ph.D., Michele Simourian, Edward Saliba, Rev. Jeremy Tovmassian.

VII. OTHER BUSINESS AND CONCLUDING REMARKS

VIII. ADJOURNMENT & PRAYER

A closing prayer was given by Rev. Dr. Krikor Youmshajekian, President of the Armenian Missionary Association of Australia. The meeting adjourned at 1:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,Thomas Momjian, Esq. and Mark Kassabian, Esq.Co-Recording Secretaries


SECTION III - REPORTS OF THE UNIONS

ARMENIAN EVANGELICAL FELLOWSHIP OF EUROPE

“Pray for each other.” James 5:16

In these times of pandemic, we pray that God may keep you all in good health and continue to richly bless the spiritual, humanitarian, cultural and educational programs of the AMAA around the world for our Armenian brothers and sisters who are experiencing a precarious existence at the present time in Lebanon.

The Armenian Evangelical Fellowship of Europe was born in Issy-les-Moulineaux (France) on May 1998, according to the vision of the then Executive Director of AMAA, the late Rev. Dr. Movses Janbazian.

Our mission fields are Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Germany and Holland. The presidency of this Fellowship has been entrusted to France. At this time, I am the President and have been since the beginning. The Board members of the Fellowship are: Rev. Bedros Altounian from Bulgaria: Vice-President, Rev. Sarkis Pachayan from Belgium: Vice-President, Rev. Viken Cholakian from Greece: Secretary, One member from AMAA Treasurer.

Our objective is threefold:1. Spiritual and brotherly support for the Pastors and leaders in each country.2. Regular pastoral visits in order to find out about local needs on the spot, and to encourage the members of

these churches in their spiritual, social and material lives.3. Set up evangelistic operations in order to reach our compatriots who have newly arrived in Europe with the

message of the Gospel and salvation in Jesus Christ.For many years, all these goals were reached and God’s work was spread satisfactorily in all these countries.After a few sluggish years, on June 9, 2018, on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of AMAA in Issy les

Moulineaux, we were able to gather our delegates from the different countries once again, with AMAA President Dr. Nazareth Darakjian and AMAA Executive Director/CEO Zaven Khanjian being present. New life was breathed into the mission of the Europe Fellowship: unity, edification and evangelism.

In July 2019, we made a ten-day long pastoral visit to Bulgaria. In Varna, we organized a special pastor’s meeting with the pastors from Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna. We have finally been able to set up a Federation of Armenian Evangelical Churches in Bulgaria. We have drawn up a strategy to revitalize each generation’s spiritual life in each of the churches. We considered restarting a holiday camp for 40 children in July 2020 with the support of young people from France. However, because of the coronavirus we were unable to carry out the project this summer. In each town, we were able to participate in Bible meetings with pastors and their congregations.

Bulgaria is the poorest of the 27 countries of the European Council. In these pandemic times, we need to help them with food parcels, particularly for the older people and large families.

In November 2019, we were able to bring to France two young people from our churches in Sofia, for four days, in order to participate in a gathering in Valence for young people in our Union.

In the same way as in Bulgaria, the needs are huge and urgent in Belgium, Greece, Turkey, Germany and Holland.Our vision is current and alive. Our contacts are close and sincere. Our desire to work in the field remains strong.

There are many calls for help. Admittedly, the pandemic has slowed down the lives of these churches. Each of them is doing their best to keep the flame of the Gospel alive, as well as relationships between the faithful.

During lockdown, I sent biblical messages in Armenian to all these countries every week to encourage and edify, by WhatsApp and e-mail. The feedback has been very positive.

WE HAVE THREE MAIN NEEDS:1. YOUR REGULAR PRAYERS IN SUPPORT OF OUR CHURCHES IN THESE SIX EUROPEAN COUNTRIES.2. A CLOSER LINK WITH AMAA AND IN PARTICULAR WITH THE EUROPE COMMITTEE OF AMAA: we need your

advice, your guidance, your encouragements.3. A REGULAR BUDGET IN ORDER TO CONTINUE OUR PASTORAL VISITS IN THE FIELD.

Thank you for your faithful support for Pastors’ salaries and for the various expenses of the local Churches.

Respectfully submitted, Rev. Gilbert Léonian, President


ARMENIAN EVANGELICAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA

“When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, your consolation delights my soul.” - Psalm 94:19

Heartfelt greetings in the name of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, to our mission leaders and partners of the Armenian Missionary Association of America. AEUNA leaders and churches are navigating through multiple storms: CO-VID-19, economic downturns, overseas crises such as the Beirut explosion, and anxiety and hopelessness in the face of all this. With our living Lord’s power, we can face these storms. In the gospel of Mark there is the account of Jesus and His disciples on a boat as a storm raged in the Sea of Galilee. Jesus arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and they became perfectly CALM. (Mark 4:35-41) The Holy Spirit can calm our spirits in trying circumstances.

CHURCH AND PASTORAL CAREI conduct regular online pastoral fellowship meetings at this difficult time. In addition to sharing concerns and

challenges, we spend time in prayer. I am personally calling, on a regular basis, 3-4 pastoral leaders each week to listen to them, encourage them, and pray with them. They have managed the move from in-person worship services to online worship, realizing more participation from the community as people did not have to drive to attend! This is a tremendous blessing and outreach opportunity. Some churches have now transitioned back to opening doors for worship as public health regulations permit.

We have published reports from the churches in our email newsletter about how they are responding to these changing conditions, and readers have responded very positively to news from sister churches.

MEETINGS, FELLOWSHIP AND MINISTRIESDue to the pandemic, the Camp AREV Banquet set for April was cancelled, the AEUNA Biennial set for June

25-28 in the Philadelphia area was postponed, Camp AREV summer camp was held virtually via Zoom, our Board of Directors is meeting via Zoom, and the Armenian Evangelical Women’s Fellowship East and West Coasts have coor-dinated together and met separately online as well. We praise God for the online tools available to us, allowing us to remain in fellowship, to plan together, and to expand our outreach, especially as Camp AREV virtual summer camp was offered free to all registrants.

We coordinated two special all-AEUNA online services with participation from most of our pastors and churches: a special Easter service, and a special praise service to celebrate the founding of the Armenian Evangelical Church. The July 1 praise service included a special greeting from AMAA Executive Director/CEO Zaven Khanjian. We thank God for the broad participation of so many of our pastors and churches. Both videos are available on the AEUNA YouTube channel and have been widely viewed.

CAMP AREV LODGE RENOVATIONThe Lord has blessed the Camp AREV ministry of the AEUNA, and God has answered prayers through the gifts

of generous supporters. Director Rev. Razmig Minassian and the Camp AREV Committee led by George Phillips Jr. have been preparing for a major renovation of the Lodge to accommodate growing numbers of youth wishing to attend our camps. Groundbreaking began in July and volunteers helped with demolition of the existing building. The renovation will create 14 separate suites/rooms with their own bathrooms, able to accommodate 68 people. The center will have a gathering space for worship and teaching, and an adjoining fellowship center with covered patios and exterior entrances will allow guests to enjoy recreation, have fellowship, play games, and meet in small groups. The camp is also construct-ing a 2,100 sq. ft, 6-bedroom, 4-bathroom home to accommodate staff. We are very excited for what God has planned for this ministry. The Camp AREV Committee is seeking donors interested in making a lead gift toward completion of this project and recognition is available.

COMMUNITY AND ECUMENICAL ACTIVITIESWe continue to be active in the Pan-Armenian Council and participate in Armenian American Museum planning

meetings. Through these community channels, we recently arranged with AMAA and Armenian Relief Society to provide funds to house homeless Armenian people in Glendale. We also invited AMAA Executive Director/CEO Zaven Khanjian to talk about critical funds needed for Beirut during one of our August pastoral fellowship meetings, and have coordinated with the Pan-Armenian Council on community-wide calls for aid to Lebanon and Syria. Finally, I reached out to a sister church in Belgium and have counseled the pastoral leadership following Rev. Joël Mikaélian’s direction, with the goal of preserving the church as one body. As we carry out all these efforts, I praise God for the spiritual, material and collegial partnership of AMAA leadership.

Respectfully submitted,Rev. Berdj Djambazian, Minister to the Union


UNION OF ARMENIAN EVANGELICAL CHURCHES IN EURASIA

The Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in Eurasia (UAECE) brings together the Armenian Evangelical churches and fellowships of the Former Soviet Union Republics and the Eastern Europe former Communist bloc. The Union consists of two churches and eight fellowships in Russia, one church in Abkhazia and three churches and two fellowships in Georgia. The Union aims at helping the churches grow and its pastors mature without neglecting the church planting ministries. It provides pastoral support to the ministers and young leaders; organizes pastoral visitations and outreach; helps in the implementation of Christian Education programs; promotes fraternal relations between member churches, fellowships and their ministers. RUSSIAThere are approximately 3 million Armenians in Russia. The largest Armenian communities of Russia are in the cities of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kaluga, Tula, Yaroslavl, Stavropol, Krasnodar region (Sochi and Armavir), Rostov, Ekaterinburg, Saratov, Astrakhan, Omsk, and Novosibirsk. The Armenian Evangelical churches of Russia, located in Moscow (pastored by Rev. Masis Akopyan) and Sochi (pastored by Rev. Sasun Karakhanyan) have the vision to reach out to the Armenians of these towns with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 1. Moscow: Emphasis on Bible study and prayers (over Skype) with the participation of people from different cities.

Use of different communication media. The Church had organized evangelism events at Christmas and Easter. The Church in Moscow has also organized several home churches in different districts of this mega-city, taking into account the difficulties faced by people traveling to the central church and in different regions. There are four places in Moscow: Reoutov, Aviamorny, Trodvinski, and Akademikyanguel. There are five places in the regions: Narofominsk (100 kms from Moscow), Dardom (100 kms from Moscow), Reazan (200 kms from Moscow), Libetsk (400 kms from Moscow), and Koursk (650 kms from Moscow).

2. Sochi region: Bible studies are organized for Armenian families in 4 different villages near Sochi. The vision is “to reach out with the Good News to the Armenians living in Russia.” To achieve this, we need to strengthen the Armenian Evangelical Church in Moscow that will become a center coordinating different Armenian Evangelical activities in the country and a stable presence in the Sochi Region. The same applies to twelve different regions of Russia with the largest Armenian populations.

3. Fellowships: In Armavir/Krasnodar (pastored by Pastor Armen Ghukasyan) and in St. Petersburg (pastored by Pastor Gurgen Pogosyan): home Bible studies.

GEORGIAThere are approximately 300,000 Armenians in Georgia, of which 100,000 live in Tbilisi. There are churches in two areas: Tbilisi (pastored by Rev. Karen Khatchaturyan), and Akhalkalak Region (Western Georgia), where the churches are pastored by Rev. Valery Zakaryan. In Akhalkalak Region, the Armenian Evangelical Church holds services in three locations, and a service in Akhaltskhe. The AMAA owns a two-storied building in the city of Akhalkalak. The Church activities are held in this building renovated by the AMAA.1. Tbilisi: Weekly church activities: Sunday worship service, Sunday school, Wednesday prayer and Bible study.

Christmas, Easter, April 24th and the yearly Ecumenical prayer meeting with all Christian Churches in January. We need a building with a worship hall, a Sunday school premises and an office. The church must not only be a spiritual center, but also a center that protects our Armenian identity and culture. Fellowship in Samshvilde village: home Bible studies.

2. Akhalkalak region: The Church holds Sunday worship services, Bible study, prayer meetings and Sunday schools in 4 locations. There are 72 villages in the Akhalkalak region, of which 65 are purely Armenian (around 80,000 Armenians). There are also several thousand Armenians in Akhaltsikhe.

ABKHAZIAThe overall population of Abkhazia is 240,000, of which 60,000 are Armenian. The Armenian Evangelical Church of Sukhumi is led by Rev. Sasun Karakhanyan. The meetings take place in homes because they do not have a place to meet. We need to strengthen the local church that exists and respond to the spiritual needs of Armenians who live in the other villages of Abkhazia. Like everywhere in the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has not spared the Armenian Evangelical Churches of Eurasi

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