Christmas celebrations
As usual, this year has started with the Christmas celebration. In general, people are at home and they don’t rush anywhere. They are open to sincere spiritual conversations at this time
We were visiting people on behalf of our new church in Yerevan. Edick and I have tried to visit all the families of our church, and we had an opportunity to share the Gospel with them and their guests.
We had children Christmas celebrations in all our missionary locations. We haven’t had dedicated fund for such ministry for several years now. Therefore, our children were collecting funds for this celebration, so everyone was preparing a gift for someone else. I think that this is a good lesson of sharing. We learn not only to receive, but to give too.
Our churches
In our churches we can see, as we call it, the second wave of revival. New people are joining the church, even people who were just users before want to do something.
While talking about our big team of ministers, I have to say that everybody is busy doing something specific: Fedia is ministering in the central Yerevan church, Artak is in charge of the childrens’ ministry “Sis” and the ministry in Kahtsrashen (many youth are coming there and they have a desire to start youth worship meetings there), Suren is working in Ararat (God has sent him good helpers – brother Ovik and Romana), Avshar, with teenagers in Yerevan church, and Gevorg minister in Gumri, Yerem works in Armavir (he has a very complicated financial situation: a family of 8 people barely survives without any grumbling, but with joy, peace, and the prayer of worship of all members), and Edick is leading the ministry in Yerevan’s new church. I am coordinating our foreign relationships and missionary work, and am responsible for education. However, when someone from our team needs urgent help, then we all pitch in and help him.
New church in Yerevan
I want to remind you that in November of 2012 we started building a new church in Yerevan, which mostly young families have joined. We understand that we need to use this time properly, so we don’t stop praying and asking our Lord for wisdom and strength.
In the end of February, we had three day winter camps. It was a great time and good conversations, which helped us get closer. Every morning and evening we had Biblical sermons. During daytime we discussed the sermon topics. It helped people to get used to regular worship times and divide the church into small groups.
On the 3rd of March, we had our first mutual worship time with “Ararat” church. It was the first Sunday meeting because before we met on Saturdays. Currently, we have church worship time in the building of our main church “Ararat”, but we are searching for a new place, so we can meet on Sundays. On Thursday, we have small groups.
Study programs
In February, the college “Ararat” had an academic session (the first academic session of the second semester). The students were studying the basis of practical outreach. Fedia Gulinjan taught the course. The subject was very practical, after which students visited people and shared the Gospel with them. As the result, many people repented and were invited to join the local church. This was the 6th academic session, which God helped us to have without outside financing. Praise God for this. The next session is planned for April. Please, pray for the Lord to continue giving His grace to us.
Besides that, we continue having sessions on the course “Program to help the preacher.” In the beginning of January, there were two sessions, and there will be two more in March. Besides that, we are going to have practical work, so our brothers will apply their knowledge in practice. In March, we plan to have a mini-conference in regards to this ministry.
We are grateful to all who are praying and supporting ministry in Armenia.
We want to ask you to continue supporting us and pray for us and those, whom we share the Gospel.
With love and prayer from Armenia
Artur Maradjan
