Cruel Intentions

There once was a great kingdom on earth. The kingdom prospered under the reign of a great wise king who ruled over his kingdom with zeal and passion. The people loved him. There was never a more judicious, humble, prudent, and courageous man than the king. He created laws that were fair and protected the rights of his own people.

There came a time when the kingdom went through a devastating war against a menacing nation. The kingdom lost many of its greatest commanders and warriors. After the army’s triumphant victory over the enemy and return home, the king heard that one of his best commanders had perished on the battlefield and his wife had become a widow. He was greatly disturbed by the fact and decided to do what was never expected of him. He made a praiseworthy deed that filled the heart of his people with much joy and honor. He took the widow as his very own wife and the news of the king’s pious conduct was celebrated all throughout the kingdom.

Stop right there!

Did you figure out who this great king was? Yes, he was none other than King David. However, the above story depicts the facts from the point of view of an ordinary citizen who lived during those prosperous times. If it wasn’t for the Holy Scriptures, which reported what really happened behind the magnificent walls of the palace, we would have thought that King David was the perfect king ever to live on earth. However, the Holy Scriptures sheds light on the true intentions of King David.

I don’t want to retell the story of King David and Bathsheba. Instead I want you to visualize the following. Imagine that a close friend of yours takes your wife to bed with him and then have you killed by a hired assassin. When he finally gets rid of you, he attends your funeral, sheds tears on your grave, and weeks later asks your wife’s hand in marriage as a token of honor for the great friendship he had with you so that his good friend’s wife would not go on living as a widow.

I simply don’t understand why the great King David needed to be confronted by Nathan the prophet to realize his awful sins. Didn’t he already know what he was about to commit the day he devised the whole plan? Was he blind? Why had King David buried his evil actions in his subconscious and fully forgotten about them to the extent that when Nathan the prophet told him of a man who had committed such actions, he was completely enraged and commanded that the man be put to death immediately not knowing that the very man was himself!

Even the “man after God’s own heart” had psychological issues. Is it possible that I may also be in need of a friend like Nathan the prophet to confront me and point out a hidden sin that I have buried in my depths?

On another note, it is mind-boggling that God forgave King David’s sins after he confessed each and every one of them. Would I forgive my murderous friend for not only sleeping with my wife, but having me killed? Is it ever possible to forgive such unspeakable acts?

ManoChil

Pastors and Their Changing Mission Online on Facebook

We are witnessing the transformation of the mission of the pastors where their mission field is not only confined within their local church (people) and country, but has surpassed this limited boundary, and has poured into past, present and the future life of the church (people).
In the past, this was not the case at all. Usually, pastors served some amount of years within a church, and after a personal decision or Godly provision, he would relocate and start serving in a whole new church, specially if the relocation is accompanied with a change of the residing country.

Today, we are witnessing a new paradigm. In the past, the members who had created great bonds and fellowship with the pastor, were agitated by the fact that the relationship would end, and a new pastor would take the lead, hoping that the new pastor would be as close to them as the relocating pastor. While this was a difficult reality to cope with, still to other pastors, who have been facing issues within their church, they would be relieved, and would be able to leave everything behind, to start fresh from the beginning without being burdened by the experiences that exhausted him during his years serving in his now-leaving church.

Today, the past is inevitable, and in fact, it is still the present. Today, the relationships and the fellowships have the chance to continue, if not on real physical grounds, at least virtually.
With the advent of the hologram technology, pastors will be able to sit in front of their present-past church members and have fellowship in a virtual office and even provide counseling.

We are witnessing the transformation and we are living the new world. Are we ready for it?

Raffi Chilingirian

AMAA interns to experience camp life in Lebanon

Paramus, N.J. - The Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) is pleased to announce plans for its Third Annual Summer Internship Program. This year, the program will find itself at Camp KCHAG in Lebanon.

The name "KCHAG" is an acronym which in Armenian stands for Krisdonyagan CHanitz Amarnayin Getron (Christian Endeavor Summer Center). This name represents a camp encounter that made its mark on the lives of many Armenians in Lebanon. KCHAG was the popular Christian camp where hundreds of Armenian children, youth and adult campers had inspiring experiences. The camp, located on the beautiful Monte Verde (Green Mountain) overlooking Beirut, is a 5 acre beautiful area covered by green cedar trees. It was purchased by Armenian Evangelicals in 1949 and was steadily developed to host hundreds of campers and also families that took refuge from the hot, humid summer of Beirut and enjoyed God's presence. For three months in summer, the camp would host various groups.


Then came the Lebanese Civil War and, unfortunately, this beautiful camp also became a casualty of war. Seven different militia groups occupied the camp for over two decades (1978-2002) and used it as a military base. Years of occupation however did not deter the faithful to pray and make every effort to have the camp returned to its rightful owners. That great day came, but there was much sorrow. The camp property and building, including the chapel, dining hall and the cabins were heavily damaged and some totally destroyed.

The Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East (UAECNE) and the Armenian Evangelical Christian Endeavor Union of Lebanon and Syria immediately went into action and prepared plans for the total restoration of the camp. This will cost a fortune that they will not be able to afford. They pray that God will lead generous donors to support this vital project and bring life back to this camp.

The AMAA, who has supported this camp for many years, would like to see the camp rebuilt. It is one of the camp projects being solicited as part of the Capital Campaign.

A scene from camp KCHAG

To lend its support, AMAA's internship program this summer (July 11-28) will concentrate on renovating one building and thus begin the arduous process of preparing the camp for complete renovation. This unforgettable experience will be structured to immerse each intern in the culture and in time with the Lord, offering many opportunities for learning and self-reflection. A personal connection between the interns and the local people will be established, living and working side-by-side with them, creating a feeling of solidarity among those who continually strive for a better life.

Young women and men of age 18 and above are encouraged to participate in this program, travel to Lebanon to learn, labor and have an experience of a lifetime.

To participate or to support this project financially, please contact the AMAA office at (201) 265-2607. Applications are available on the AMAA website - amaa.org.


Source: The Armenian Reporter

The Armenian Evangelical ARMISS Choir Getting Prepared for Its Concert on March 28

The Armenian Evangelical ArMiss-agans have been meeting since November 2009, every Sunday, from 4:30pm to 6:30pm, in the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church for rehearsal. During the month of February, the members have also been meeting on Thursdays (men) and on Sundays at 3:30pm (women), in order to practice further and be well prepared. This year ArMiss will present Armenian pieces, one of which is Armenian operatic.
God willing, the ArMiss choir will hold its concert on March 28, in the Armenian Evangelical First Church.


(1st row, L to R): Ms. Arpi Bedrossian, Ms. Zarmig Bedrossian, Ms. Rosine Sailian, Ms. Shushan Artinian, Mrs. Arlette Der Garabedian, Ms. Rima Cholakian


(1st row, R to L): Mrs. Maral Haidostian, Mrs. Yester Kilaghbian, Ms. Pauline Sagherian


(1st row, R to L): Mr. Shahan Kilaghbian, Mr. Manoug Chilingirian, Mr. Raffi Akbasharian, Mr. Ara Khederian
(2nd row, R to L): Rev. Hovhannes Svajian, Mr. Hagop Kelougian, Mr. Luder Artinian


The conductor, Mr. Garo Avessian, and the pianist, Ms. Sandra Cholakian



* Photos courtesy of Mr. Raffi Chilingirian
* Some members were not present in these pictures
* The name ArMiss is after Rev. Armenag Missirian, You can read about him more by clicking on the following link:  Վեր. Արմենակ Միսիրեան (Արմիս) - Rev. Armenag Missirian (Armiss)

Japan assists Howard Karagheusian Association for Child Welfare in Bourj Hammoud (15 February 2010)

Japan supports Howard Karagheusian Association for Child Welfare for equipping the Child Welfare Center in Bourj Hammoud. This support is expected to improve the health and educational conditions of children and women in Bourj Hammoud. Ambassador of Japan to Lebanon Mr. Koichi Kawakami and the Executive Director of Howard Karagheusian Association for Child Welfare, Rev. Robert Sarkissian, signed the grant contract of US$41,895 to this effect at the Embassy of Japan on 15 February 2009.



This is funded by “Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Project (GGP)” of Japan. Japan’s GGP supports development projects at grass-roots level proposed by such bodies as nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and local governmental authorities in Lebanon. Japan has so far extended through GGP more than US$ 9 million since 1996.

Source: Japanese Embassy