Աւետարանչական Ժողովներ - Evangelistic Meetings

Orgnanized by the Evangelism Committee of the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church, evangelistic meetings will be held in 4, 5, 6 and 7 November 2009.
The evangelist Rev. Jacques Tchoughandjian will arrive from France to lead these meetings that will be held in Emmanuel Church.

You are definitely invited to participate and to pray for this utmost important nights to reach to many for His glory.



Chanitz (Youth) Camp 2009 In Kessab


Rev. Krikor AghabalOghlu (pastor of Armenian Evangelical Church of GedikPasha, Istanbul, Turkey) speaking to the youth


Kchag sleeping rooms


Before taking a group picture


Left pic: Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Chanitz
Right pic: one of the three serving teams. This team was responsible for gathering the plates, cleaning all the plates, spoons, forks...




The leadership team: (Top to bottom, L to R): Badveli Datev Basmajian, Badveli Simon DerSahagian, Rev. Krikor AghabalOghlu and his wife, Badveli Elias Jabbour, Badveli Hrayr Cholakian, Rev. Raffi Messerlian, Rev. Serop Megerdichian, Rev. Hagop Sarkissian, Mrs. Kayane Messerlian, Mrs. Yester Kilaghbian, Dr. Aline Megerdichian, Mrs. Silva Sarkissian, Mr. Harout Bardakjian Mr. Hagop Akbasharian, Mr. Jirayr Ghazarian


The 'Intelligent Design' team: Raffi Akbasharian, Rev. Hagop Sarkissian, Tsolag Apelian, Jad, Raffi Chilingirian, Mano Chilingirian


"Shnorhagalenk mayrigner, shnorhagalenk kouyrigner :)" These mothers and sisters cleaned, cooked, washed... We enjoyed their presence and tasty food. Thank YOU!



The teams presenting their talents through the songs that they composed and through drama that they prepared.



In the Armenian Evangelical St. Trinity Church: Badveli Sevag Trashian, Rev. Vahan Tootikian, Rev. Raffi Messerlian



Left pic: Rev. and Mrs. Soghomon and Yester Kilaghbian
Right pic: Aren Deyirmenjian on the keyboard, and Shahan Kilaghbian on the piano

Interview with a young Christian singer: Mrs. Mary Balian

Chanitz- Many of our readers do not know Mary Balian. Can you tell us about your background, and your musical background?

Mary- I gave my life to Christ in the 11th grade at Camp Arev and have been attending United Armenian Congregational Church for over twelve years. One of the ways I have been called to serve Christ is through music, which has always been a part of my life. I have been singing and songwriting since I was six years old and have always sung in choirs. In high school, I was part of an award-winning show choir for four years; during college, I was in Awaken a cappella and recorded two CDs with the group. I sing at various churches and am part of the worship team at UACC. In addition, I have performed in several languages -- on television, radio and in concert. I was part of a group of singers who recorded a Christian album in Farsi. I also toured France and Armenia on the New Hope Band Tour and have appeared on “Unshakable Live” and other television shows.

I’m a graduate of UCLA and Cal State Northridge in sociology and psychology. I work as a school counselor and am passionate about helping kids be their very best. I live in Burbank with my husband, Manuel Saghbazarian.

It wasn’t until college that I discovered Christian music. A close friend of mine gave me a CD by Rebecca St. James and that changed the way I viewed music forever. I found a new passion for Christian Contemporary music, and that led me to my desire for recording Armenian Christian Contemporary music.

Chanitz- Why and when did you decide to make an Armenian album rather than an English one?

Mary- On April 24, 2004, I attended an Armenian Christian worship night for the Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. There was only one Armenian song sung that night, Khatchin Zinvor, which was very moving to me. I was disappointed that there weren’t any more; all of the other songs were familiar praise songs in English. I realized that there weren’t many Armenian Contemporary Christian worship CD’s available. A deep desire to record an Armenian language Christian album formed. That is when I decided to record “BASHDENK”/ (Let’s Worship). I prayed, I sought wise counsel from pastors and close Christian friends regarding what they felt was a need in the Armenian community. In my heart, I felt there was a great need for Armenian Christian music and I needed to reach Armenians.

Chanitz- Can you tell us the details of how you picked and arranged the songs for your bashdenk CD?

Mary- When I decided to record an Armenian CD, I sat down and started brainstorming Armenian songs that were familiar to me and spoke to my heart. I knew I wanted to record a CD that had variety: songs that sounded more “Armenian”: Khatchin Zinvor, Havadkus Chem Moranah; hymns: Eench Medz Es Toon, Pari Eh Eeem Hokvooys; familiar Armenian Christian songs:

Pernees Khoskeruh, Yerpvor Nah Amberov Veratarna; songs that were Contemporary Christian English songs translated into Armenian:

Aghaghegeh Deeroch/Shout to the Lord; songs that I had heard at other churches:

Pari Loor, Voh Eench Hurash; and a few songs that I had written:

Amen Or, Bashdenk, Tsaynus Luse.

The first song I decided to record was Khatchin Zinvor. Whenever I would hear that song,I would become very emotional. I felt that it spoke to me as an Armenian and Christian. That song inspired me to record the Armenian CD and is very dear to me. While the style of the CD changed as we progressed, Khatchin Zinvor was the inspiration to BASHDENK.

Chanitz- Can you tell us about your future plans?

Mary- I would love to continue recording Christian Contemporary Music in Armenian and other languages if possible. I would love to have the opportunity to worship with Armenian Christians in different parts of the world. I had the opportunity of going to Armenia and was very blessed as I worshipped there with other Armenians.

I have a desire to team up with various non-profit organizations and make a difference through music and service. I have the opportunity of leading a fundraiser concert with The Milk Fund in March 2010 and would love the opportunity to work with other organizations.

Chanitz- What would you like to say to the Lebanese youth?

Mary- Seek first the kingdom of God. Never give up on your Christian faith. Cherish who you are as a Christian Armenian. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. You many not know what lies ahead, but if the Lord has called you to follow Him, you must obey Him and follow His will.

I know the Lord called me to record BASHDENK and I could not walk away from it. It took me almost 5 years to complete, yet I knew I had to be faithful and serve Him. While you may be persecuted and feel discouraged at times, know that the Lord will never leave or forsake you. Do not be afraid to be a Christian Armenian.

For more information visit:

http://www.marybalian.com

Badaniatz (Juniors) Camp 2009





The leaders from left to right: Ms. Silva Chilingirian (Marash Church), Mrs. Anita Andonian (Marash Church), Mr. Manoug Ibitian (Emmanuel Churhc), Mrs. Vera Svajian (Emmanuel Church), Mrs. Silva Sarkissian (First Church), Mr. Hagop Akbasharian (as field worker), Mr. Elias Jabbour (Anjar Church), Mr. Hagop Gojigian (Emmanuel Church), Mr. Elie Dosh (Ashrafieh Church), and Mr. Jirayr Ghazarian (as field worker), photoshy.

The Beginning

While we’re thinking of a new church year – a new start – it is helpful to rethink, one more time, why we do what we do in our lives, and especially in our church lives. A beginning sets the tone of progress; the basics. Let’s start with a solid base. What’s our attitude? Why do we go to church? How do people choose which church to attend? In church development classes, we learn that there are four good reasons why people change/choose a certain church:
Theology: The doctrine of a church plays a great role, especially in terms of liberal vs. conservative doctrines and their applications, because this affects your whole spiritual life. Sound doctrine and Christ-centered Biblical teaching is crucial for us.

Fellowship: There are people who deliberately choose to attend churches that have strong social gatherings, community understanding, caring and helping members, and frequent socializing. As a matter of fact there are churches that are so good at fellowship that they attract many friends and introduce Jesus Christ to them.

Mission/Outreach: There are people who seriously commit themselves to a particular mission project and choose to be a part of it. They look for a church that initiates or supports these mission projects. When the church pastor or the lay leaders are gifted in evangelism, the whole church direction may be mission and outreach.

Pastor: Fortunately or unfortunately, people choose churches because of the pastor, too. They like or dislike the pastor, his sermons, his caring spirit, his leadership etc., and they make their decision on that basis.

As an ethnic church, I can add one more criteria, which is ethnicity. How much Armenian culture (in our case) do we have in this church? For many centuries the church has been a safe haven to keep the nationality and the culture of its people alive. For many Armenians this is extremely important. For others this is strange
thinking for church growth.

The world teaches us to make choices based on our feelings rather than looking for God’s will for us. The world teaches us to customize our orders according to our “needs.” You don’t need to buy a ready-to-go computer; Dell will make one just for you according to your order. You don’t need to buy the entire CD; you can go online and purchase only the songs you like for your iPod.

Sometimes, this mindset affects our church lives and consequently our spiritual lives. We start thinking, I like this part of the sermon (or the church), I dislike the other part, etc., instead of thinking, what is God teaching me? We do learn a lot from the business world on how to run the church and administer our ministries.
But we must always be careful to have the right spirit, the Holy Spirit, who will always be with us and in us to correct us, lead us and empower us to do the will of God. Let’s begin our new year with great Spirit.

Rev. Mgrdich Melkonian,
Senior Pastor, First Armenian Presbyterian Church
Fresno, CA, USA

Interview with Rev. Joseph Matossian About AEUNA, the Armenian Evangelical Churches and the Armenian Community in USA

  • What is the role of the AEUNA and what are your responsibilities?
  • What is the language that is used in the Armenian Evangelical churches?
  • Why is America regarded as a very liberal and sort of a heavenly country by those living in the developing countries?
  • What is the stand of the Armenian Evangelical Churches towards gay marriage?
  • In which aspects do the Armenian Evangelical Churches lack in evangelism today?
  • What is the role of the youth in the church today?
  • What is your opinion about our Chanitz blog/newsletter (http://www.chanitz.org)?

You will listen to the answers to these question that Hagop raised with Rev. Joseph Matossian. The interview is in Armenian.

CHANAGHPOUYR Team

 

Emails and Messages

Ms. Zepure Berberian (Lebanon): "Dear Raffie
Thank you to your reply, I'm from Arm. Evangalical of brotherhood in lebanon,
i have recieved before many times your e-mails and was happy to see and read the reports.
god bless you
zepur
bye"

Mr. Hagop Gojigian (Lebanon) commenting on (Հայ Աւետարանական Համաշխարհային Խորհուրդի Նախագահին Հանդիպումը Հայաստանի Հանրապետութեան Նախագահին Հետ): "orinageli badveli me , yerani polore verabadveli Harout Selimian-en orinag arnen , ir ashkadasiroutyane . ov vor kideh Hay Avedaranagan petel yegetsin yev tebrotse inch er asgeh 10 dari arach yev hemag inch yegadz a , indzi bid hasgena.
Asdvadz Ortneh Ver. Harout . "

Tom and Annie Hoglind (Lebanon): "Just want to tell you over again that your emails, website and blogs are incredibly good. Thanks for making the effort!
Love,
Tom and Annie"

Ms. Rosangela Jarjour (Cyprus) commenting on (Beyond Borders and Beliefs): "I truly enjoyed reading your article. It is so well done, so tranperant and goes deep into the heart. The end is somehow sad but so full of hope for the future and the possibility of re connecting with that person. You did excellent job as if an expert dealing in conflict resoluation and pre concieved fears from the others! I pray that this experience you had would be given to many other youths from our churches and community.God bless you and we are proud of you! Rosangela jarjour"

Mrs. Ani Hovagimian (Arab Gulf country) commenting on (ՄԻ ՁԳԵՐ ՈՐ ՔԵԶ ԱՆԱՐԳԵՆ): "Rev. Hovhanes,
Thank you for your words, nice!! I miss church and everybody. I wish i can read or receive Sunday service. Send my greetings to all chanitzugun. Love u all , Ani"

A commenter (Syria): "To the Anonymous in Kuwait. It seems you are ignorant. Please read more in the History of the Armenian people. As for the souls you are worried about ask the the Apostolic church in Yerevan to do more for the people since Bourj Hammoud in Lebanon has more apostolic churches than Yerevan the Capital of Armenia. "

Mr. Vako Nicolian (Canada) commenting on (ԱՊՏՈՒԼ ՄԱՍԻՀ ԻՆԾԻ ՊԱՏՄԵՑ ԱՊՐԻԼ 24-Ի ՄԱՍԻՆ): "Very interesting, I am interested to know the author of this article. "
Administrator's response: "Unfortunately Vako, we still couldn't find or know the author of this article"

Mr. Sebouh Boyadjian (Lebanon): "Dear Evangelical chanitz blog
thank you very much for all the news that you are sending to me, i am so happy to hear about your work , God bless You."

Ms. Shushan Artinian (Lebanon) commenting on (ՀԱՅԵՐԷՆ ՏԱՌԵՐՈՎ ՆԱՄԱԿ ԳՐԷ‏): "Հայերէն բառերու իմաստը գիտնալու կամ ուղղագրութիւնը ստուգելու համար, կրնաք նաեւ հետեւեալ կայքէջը գործածել: http://www.nayiri.com/ "
Administrator's response: "Շատ շնորհակալ եմ Շուշան որ յիշեցուցիր ինծի այս կայքէջը: Նկատեցի որ վերափոխուած է եւ արդէն գործածութեան վիճակի մէջ է: Շատ կը նմանի yamli.com-ին, որ արաբերէնի լեզուին համար է:
Երանի թէ այս կայքէջը որդեգրուի google-ի կողմէ եւ Firefox/Explorer-ի կողմէ, որպէսզի հիմա մինչ կը գրեմ, եթէ սխալ բառեր գրեցի, ցոյց տայ սխալներս որ սրբագրեմ ու սորվիմ սխալներէս: " 
Mr. Vako Nicolian's response: "nayiri.com կայքէջը շինած է Սերուծ Ուրիշեանը, յուսամ կրնայ Ռաֆֆիին առաջարկածը կատարել Google-ին հետ: "

Ms. Betty Ketchejian (Lebanon): "ur doing such a great job with d blog, vartsket gadar irav!"

Mrs. Alidz Aghbabian (USA): "lav kordz gu desnes"

Rev. Haroutune Selimian (Syria): "Dear Raffi, thank you for all the valuable work you are doing."

Mr. David Hagopian (USA): "Administrator Raffi,
Thank you for placing me on the list for the Chanitz Blog. It is a great service that you do for the evangelical community. I am writing to ask if there is anything that has been done differently in the last two weekly e-mails. When I receive them, my Outlook hangs up with a reference to having to communicate with googleblogs. Not sure if any of your other users are having the same problem. Please let me know.
Thank you,"
This problem was quickly resolved.

Mrs. Sona Khatcherian (Montreal, Canada): "I am writing to say thank you for allowing us the opportunity to keep up with the news from abroad. We are currently in Canada and it is a blessing to be able to hear about what is going on with Armenian Evangelical Christians from around the world. Thank you for your hard work and faithfulness.
God Bless,
Sona Mammigonian Khatcherian
Montreal, Canada"

Emmanuel Badaniatz (Juniors) Kicks Off with 50 Youth

In October Badaniatz kicked off with around fifty junior youth gathering in Emmanuel Church and Torosian School's playground.

This year's leadership team is comprised of:
Mrs. Jimmy Kozman Ohanian, chairman/secretary
Mr. Mike Hagopian, treasurer
Mr. Raffi Chilingirian, leader
Mr. Jean Baghboudarian, leader
Ms. Markrid Markarian, leader
Ms. Talar Marashlian, as a field worker of the union

We thank Mr. Manoug Ibitian, Mr. Hagop Gojigian, Ms. Maria Jertidian, Mr. Jiro Ghazarian for their leadership, service and sacrifice within the team. And we welcome Ms. Markrid Markarian and Ms. Talar Marashlian as part of the team.


During worship, Lucy reading a passage from the Bible.


Mike Hagopian leading the worship time


Mrs. Nancy Sagherian talking to the youth about decisions and the importance of taking the right ones.