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The Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA)
contributed a great deal to the awakening of the Evangelical Church
of Armenia in Stepanavan. The AMAA, in addition to its charitable
programs, made great contributions to training church leaders, or-
ganizing Christian education programs and activating community
life. In 1992, the AMAA established an office in Stepanavan, which
temporarily became the church building for former members and new
believers of the Armenian Evangelical Baptist Churches, and a Sunday
school for children, adolescents and youth was formed. In the same
year, large-scale evangelism began through yard camps․ Hundreds of
children, teenagers and young people participated for the first time in
a children’s yard camp in Stepanavan, organized jointly by the AMAA
and the French organization "Hope for Armenia."
The first Evangelical Church of Armenia building in the Home- Evangelical Church of Armenia in Stepanavan.
land was built in Stepanavan in 1998. The new church building
created possibilities for Sunday worship services and Christian
Education programs to become more widespread.
"There were so many children that we did the children’s pro-
grams in three shifts on Sundays ̶ at 10:00 am, 12:00 noon and
4:00 pm. The number of teenagers reached 80 and there were more
than 60 young people," says Arminé Arevjanyan, former head of
the Christian Education Department of the Evangelical Church of
Armenia in Stepanavan, who served for many years.
The scope of the Stepanavan Church programs also included
the nearby villages. "In addition to the services of our Church in
Stepanavan, we visited 13 villages," says Arminé and Tsoliné Mi-
kayelyan, who served the Stepanavan Church for many years. They
remember: "Programs were mainly for children and adolescents, but
often there were so many parents accompanying them, that certain
Bible studies were conducted for them as well. In some villages, Easter Presentation at Stepanavan Church.
services were also provided for groups of adults." Church. The number of teenagers is about 15-20 and the number of
Since its revival in Stepanavan, four pastors have served the youths is 10. There are 10-12 students in the preparatory classes. Our
Church - Ara Ochinyan (1993-2006), Khachatur Khachatryan (De- vision and goal for the Church is to spread the Word of God, be salt
cember 2007-2020), Gevorg Gasparyan (December –April 2020) and light in the region, be a good witness, and stay steadfast in our
and Hrant Badalyan (April 30, 2021 to present). They have done mission, so that when people see us, they will know that this is the
their best to keep the Gospel transmission chain intact. Trying not to House of God. Here, in our Heavenly Father’s house, His children
lose its initial enthusiasm over time, the Church continues its mission will rise, and new servants will come out. We thank God, we pray
and has raised a generation of pastors and faithful servants, who for this Church, and of course we act and plan under His guidance
continue to serve God through the Evangelical Church of Armenia to achieve our goals."
in different parts of the Homeland. The words spoken by Rev. Dr. Movses Janbazian at the dedica-
Speaking about the current services of the Church, Rev. tion of the Evangelical Church of Armenia in Stepanavan, empha-

Badalyan says: "Church services are held throughout the week sizing the purpose of the funding of the Church, is still practically
̶ Sunday School, adolescent and youth groups, Women’s and manifested in all Church services, remembering to preach the Word
Men’s Bible studies, weekly prayer meetings, preparatory classes and bring glory to God. q
and Sunday Worship services. There are almost 50 children in the (Translated from Eastern Armenian by Louisa Janbazian)

Stepanavan Church young adults. Stepanavan Church Sunday morning worship service.

Bethel Church Sunday School on Palm Sunday. AMAA NEWS, July-Aug-Sept 2021 | 25