Every new year, every birthday, every anniversary we tend to sit back and think about our lives. What’s going on? Where are we headed? Where can we improve? How? Let’s also think, evaluate and look forward, about our church.
The theme of our church for the year 2010 was “A New Creation,” based on 2 Corinthians 5:17 – If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. In other words, we were concentrating on our personal salvation and assurance of being a new person in Christ. The theme of our church for the year 2011 was “A New Community,” based on Acts 2, where individual Christian believers coming together form a new community with God – God’s community.
If God initiated, planned and implemented the salvation plan for us to be a new creation in Christ, if God initiated, planned and implemented the fellowship of believers, the church through His Holy Spirit, then He must have a plan for this “new community.” Now, what do we do? Does God have a purpose (mission) for our church? Actually, I strongly believe that He doesn’t make up a mission FOR our church. He prepared the church FOR His mission.
God created the world and everything in it (Genesis 1-2). We messed up because of our disobedience and a chaotic situation was the result of our sin (Genesis 3-11). Then, God announced His redemptive plan (mission) for us (Genesis 12:1-3). God renewed His promise and blessing to the creation He initially performed so beautiful, in His image. God’s mission for the creation is having a relationship with Him and with each other, which is a blessing. This is what God wants for His creation, for our church, for our families, for the whole humanity and nations. The apostle Paul also
refers to this in Galatians 3:8, when He says the scriptures announced the gospel in advance… So, in order to have the whole picture (as much as it is revealed to us in the scriptures), we need to understand that our mission is God’s mission for us. He saved us, trained us, molded us, shaped us, qualified us, gave us different experiences, gifts and some maturity in order to be able to take part in doing His mission in this world, His mission in our local area wherever God planted us.
These thoughts lead me to an extreme sense of responsibility. If God has planned my life, all I have, all I am and He has a plan for me, I feel a deep sense of responsibility. I can not, and better not, be an unfaithful steward of my self. Pleasing God is my first priority and responsibility. These thoughts also lead me to an extreme sense of awe!
The God of the universe, the Creator of the heaven and earth not only is interested in me, but loves me and entrusts me with His plan, to be part of His mission. I am so honored and blessed beyond my imagination.
Now, church members and friends, I pray you have a blessed New Year with a New Mission!
In Christ’s love,
Rev. Mgrdich Melkonian,
Senior Pastor, First Armenian Presbyterian Church
Fresno, CA, USA
Sunday, February 26, 2012
A New Mission
FMEEC Final Communiqué Issued by the Participants at the Conference on Evangelical and Christian Presence in the Middle East
Youth Summer Camp in KCHAG (August 25-28, 2011)
Youth ministry is a vital part of the mission of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in Lebanon. Summer camps are considered the highlight of youth ministry.
In 2011 we were blessed to have a full time youth worker, Pastor Datev Basmajian who also was the leader of the youth camp of this year. The speaker was Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, who talked around the theme of this year called “Signs”. The first session was about the “Signs of Integrity” using signs as elements that can lead to integrity. The second session was about the “Signs of Times”, the end times, the here and now times, and focused on our calling as Christians to be the people of genesis, new beginnings. The third session was about the “Worldly Signs vs. Godly Signs”, that there are different signs around us, and he challenged the youth to be signs of God to others. And the fourth session was called “Christ, Our Sign” based on 1 Corinthians 1:22-24. It was challenging for the youth (60 young people) to be aware, learn to discern, and be active signs of God for those around them.
The counselors were 9, Mrs. Maral Haidostian, Miss Shushan Artinian, Miss Silva Chilingirian, Miss Liza Barsoumian, Pastor Sebouh Terzian, Mr. Krikor Aynilian, Mr. Serop Ohanian, Mr. Hagop Akbasharian, and Mr. Jiro Ghazarian. They have committed their time, effort, service, focus, and availability to make this camp an event that would glorify our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our daily schedule was full. The youth woke up refreshed in KCHAG, had a good breakfast, quiet time with God, worship, session, break into study groups, coffee break, workshops (wooden cross, banners, news), lunch, leaders meeting, debate, outdoor activities and games, shower time, dinner, evening activities and games, sing song, and ended our day with prayer time.
The commitment worship and session time, the youth marched to the top of the hill and re-installed the Cross of KCHAG (our sign), which was made by the workshop group, under which we had our group picture later on. And as a sign of their commitment each young person made his/her cross using nails and wires.
As a follow up, each study group leader committed themselves to pray for their groups. Also, a Facebook group was formed to keep in touch with the campers, encourage them daily, share prayer topics, verses from the scripture, pictures and videos taken during the camp, and post new events and gatherings and news about youth ministry.
I thank the leaders, the speaker, the AMAA, local supporters, KCHAG staff, and last but not least God, that made this camp happen. I believe that from the first of our planning meeting until now, we were blessed by his presence, guidance, grace, and power.
For His Glory, Amen.
Junior Youth Summer Camp in Ainjar (August 15-21, 2011)
Junior Youth ministry is a dynamic part of the mission of the Armenian Evangelical Churches and Schools in Lebanon. Summer camps are considered the climax of our ministry.
In 2011 we were blessed to have a full time youth worker, Pastor Datev Basmajian who also was the leader of the junior youth camp of this year. The speaker was Pastor Hrayr Cholakian, who talked around the theme of this year called “The Right Click”, which was about challenging relationships. For example: “Social Media vs. Real Relationships”, “Relationship with Parents”, “Relationship with the Needy”, “Relationship with the Opposite Sex”, and “Relationship with God”. It was challenging for the campers (66 teenagers) to be aware of the relationships around them, the importance of being healthy in those relationships, prioritize them, and take serious decisions according to God’s Word.
The counselors were 9, Mrs. Seta Kejelian, Mrs. Talin Meserlian, Miss Shushan Artinian, Miss Nanor Kelenjian, Miss Arine Baghdoyan, Mr. Shahan Kilaghabian, Mr. Shahe Demirjian, Mr. Hagop Akbasharian, and Mr. Jiro Ghazarian. They have committed their time, effort, service, focus, and availability to make this camp an event that would glorify our Lord Jesus Christ. I should also add that this year we had the privilege of inviting Rev. Greg Haroutunian to do a seminar for our leaders before camp, which was very helpful to focus on Christ, remembering our mission, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Our daily schedule was full. The campers woke up, had breakfast, quiet time with God, worship, , break into study groups, session, snack break, lunch, leaders meeting, workshops (NEWS, Video-Clip, Drama, Dessert, and Dance), outdoor activities and games, shower time, dinner, evening activities and games, sing song, and ended our day with prayer time.
The commitment worship and session time, the campers and leaders painted the stained glass cross and wrote their names as a sing of their commitment and renewal. Many campers devoted their lives to Christ for the first time, and others had the chance to renew their vows in Christ Jesus our Savior.
As a follow up, each study group leader committed themselves to pray and meet with their groups. Also, a Facebook group was formed to keep in touch with the campers, encourage them daily, share prayer topics, verses from the scripture, pictures and videos taken during the camp, and post new events and gatherings and news about junior youth ministry. Soon, we are planning a follow up retreat in KCHAG.
I thank the leaders, the speaker, the AMAA, local supporters, Ainjar boarding school staff, and last but not least God, that made this camp happen. I believe that from the first of our planning meeting until now, we were blessed by his presence, guidance, grace, and power.
For His Glory, Amen.
