Թորոսեանցիներու Հաւաք
Haigazian Rocket Society: Lebanese Scientific Pride at Haigazian University
On Tuesday, February 22, 2011, the replica sculpture of Cedar 4 was installed in the Mugar Garden of Haigazian University, in tribute to the 50th Anniversary of the Haigazian Rocket Society, and in conjunction with the documentary film being directed by Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige, which examines the Lebanese Rocket Society and its contribution to science.
The truck carrying the rocket sculpture, led by an escort of Lebanese security forces, left Dbaye highway in the morning, passing through Dora and Fouad Chehab highways, arriving to its final destination in Kantari, to land on its base in the Haigazian University Mugar Garden.
The directors Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige, with Abbout Productions offered the sculpture of the “Cedar 4” rocket to Haigazian University, as a token of appreciation to the scientific team back then, for their pioneering role in the field of rocketery. The replica was commissioned by the Sharjah Art Foundation for Sharjah Biennial 2011. Cedar 4, was a three stage rocket that was launched on November 21st in 1963, reaching an altitude of 200 km and covering a distance of 600 km.
After unveiling the sculpture, in the presence of students, faculty, staff and journalists, President of Haigazian University, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, offered a short speech, thanking the directors and producers of this project. He emphasized on the pioneering role Haigazian Rocket Society played in the early 60’s, in the field of rocketry. Haidostian said that this moment is “a day of memory awakening” in the sense of the scientific advancement of human civilization, and that the Middle Eastern talent can also be put to practice in the Middle East and not only abroad, and to make our world and country a better and constantly developing home.
In their turn, both Directors Hadjithomas and Joreige emphasized on the scientific purpose of the project, which was initially aimed at promoting science and research. They shared with the audience their vision in offering this sculpture pointed towards the sky, representing faith in science and research, and hope in art and creativity in broadening our scope of imagination.
It is worth noting that Haigazian Rocket Society started in the early 60’s, under the leadership of Mathematics professor, Manoug Manouguian, and the active participation of the Haigazian College Rocket Society students. The first rocket was launched in 1961.
The scientific developments led to the expansion of this project, having the Lebanese Army with its liaison General Yousef Wehbe and various other researchers joining in, and hence leading to the establishment of the Lebanese Rocket Society.
Mira Yardemian
Public Relations Director
The truck carrying the rocket sculpture, led by an escort of Lebanese security forces, left Dbaye highway in the morning, passing through Dora and Fouad Chehab highways, arriving to its final destination in Kantari, to land on its base in the Haigazian University Mugar Garden.
The directors Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige, with Abbout Productions offered the sculpture of the “Cedar 4” rocket to Haigazian University, as a token of appreciation to the scientific team back then, for their pioneering role in the field of rocketery. The replica was commissioned by the Sharjah Art Foundation for Sharjah Biennial 2011. Cedar 4, was a three stage rocket that was launched on November 21st in 1963, reaching an altitude of 200 km and covering a distance of 600 km.
After unveiling the sculpture, in the presence of students, faculty, staff and journalists, President of Haigazian University, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, offered a short speech, thanking the directors and producers of this project. He emphasized on the pioneering role Haigazian Rocket Society played in the early 60’s, in the field of rocketry. Haidostian said that this moment is “a day of memory awakening” in the sense of the scientific advancement of human civilization, and that the Middle Eastern talent can also be put to practice in the Middle East and not only abroad, and to make our world and country a better and constantly developing home.
In their turn, both Directors Hadjithomas and Joreige emphasized on the scientific purpose of the project, which was initially aimed at promoting science and research. They shared with the audience their vision in offering this sculpture pointed towards the sky, representing faith in science and research, and hope in art and creativity in broadening our scope of imagination.
It is worth noting that Haigazian Rocket Society started in the early 60’s, under the leadership of Mathematics professor, Manoug Manouguian, and the active participation of the Haigazian College Rocket Society students. The first rocket was launched in 1961.
The scientific developments led to the expansion of this project, having the Lebanese Army with its liaison General Yousef Wehbe and various other researchers joining in, and hence leading to the establishment of the Lebanese Rocket Society.
Mira Yardemian
Public Relations Director
How Great Thou Art, by the famous George Beverly Shea
Ճշմարտութեան Խօսքը "Djechmardoutian Khoske" Brodcasting on TV ARMENIA from Paris, France (www.khoske.tv)
Dear Brothers and sisters in Christ,
The first program of "Djechmardoutian Khoske" has been brodcasted last sunday on TV ARMENIA. We are very encouraged. All the glory be to our God.
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me, here or on our web site www.khoske.tv
Inform this around you please.
The next show will be on 13th of march at 4pm (french time). Here below the first show (internet version).
God bless you all.
BAROUDJIAN Sarkis
Chers frères et sœurs,
La Gloire revient à Dieu !
Nous avons pu réussir à lancer ce projet tellement important. Il a fallut beaucoup de courage et de détermination pour garder la vision céleste intacte.
Nous remercions tous ceux qui nous ont encouragé moralement et spirituellement. Vous en serez récompensés.
La moisson est grande levons nos yeux... Dieu nous les donne !
Voici ci-après, en version internet, la première émission que vous pouvez visionner et transférer à tous vos contactes.
Nous avons eu déjà des retours très encourageants par téléphone et aussi par mail de France de l'Europe et du Moyen Orient...
Comptant sur vos prières et votre soutien,
Ev. BAROUDJIAN Sarkis
Ճշմարտութեան Խօսքը
Djechmardoutian Khoske
www.khoske.tv
27-2-2011 from Djechmardoutian Khoske on Vimeo.
The first program of "Djechmardoutian Khoske" has been brodcasted last sunday on TV ARMENIA. We are very encouraged. All the glory be to our God.
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me, here or on our web site www.khoske.tv
Inform this around you please.
The next show will be on 13th of march at 4pm (french time). Here below the first show (internet version).
God bless you all.
BAROUDJIAN Sarkis
Chers frères et sœurs,
La Gloire revient à Dieu !
Nous avons pu réussir à lancer ce projet tellement important. Il a fallut beaucoup de courage et de détermination pour garder la vision céleste intacte.
Nous remercions tous ceux qui nous ont encouragé moralement et spirituellement. Vous en serez récompensés.
La moisson est grande levons nos yeux... Dieu nous les donne !
Voici ci-après, en version internet, la première émission que vous pouvez visionner et transférer à tous vos contactes.
Nous avons eu déjà des retours très encourageants par téléphone et aussi par mail de France de l'Europe et du Moyen Orient...
Comptant sur vos prières et votre soutien,
Ev. BAROUDJIAN Sarkis
Ճշմարտութեան Խօսքը
Djechmardoutian Khoske
www.khoske.tv
27-2-2011 from Djechmardoutian Khoske on Vimeo.
An Interview with Badveli Datev Basmajian, Youth and Youth Ministry
The life and the needs of the youth today have caught the attention of the community in large and are regarded as a priority among the various organizations, the church being an integral part of it. The world sends strong messages to the youth today, luring them into drugs, pornography, sexual promiscuity, ungodliness. The church has to take a stand and keep the fortress strong. In order to reach out to the youth, the Christian Endeavour's Executive Committee of the Armenian Evangelical Churches has requested Badveli Datev Basmajian to become the youth minister. On this occassion, we had an interview with him.
(Interview by Raffi)
(Interview by Raffi)
Raffi - What was your reaction when you first received the request from the CE Union to become the Youth Minister of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in Lebanon?
Datev - When this position was offered to me, I was filled with mixed emotions. Because, on the one hand, I have the passion to minister to the youth, but on the other hand, I also know that it is challenging to work with the youth. I asked God’s guidance in this matter, and gave my positive response to the CE Union who had already done its part in arranging for us to move to Beirut, and be a full time Youth Minister serving the Armenian Evangelical Churches and Schools in Lebanon. I should also mention that, Lebanon used to have a full time Youth Minister a long time ago, but didn’t have the luxury to have a full time Youth Minister for the last two decades, so the members of the Executive Committee did their part to manage the youth ministry on the field. The Youth Societies of the Armenian Churches raised the issue, the need to have a full time Youth Minister. It was obvious that the field needed a dedicated person to minster on a full time basis.
God spoke to me through this need, which is a different form of ministry than being a full time pastor of a church, having in mind that in the end, the reason and the One who calls to ministry is God himself. Ministering to the youth requires a different approach, it is more focused on the youth and their needs, be involved in their daily life, their challenges and relationships. I believe that God has already prepared me, and continues to prepare me, for this mission, and I also believe that God has a lot to do through me, which is a great honor and joy for me to be useful in His hands.
God spoke to me through this need, which is a different form of ministry than being a full time pastor of a church, having in mind that in the end, the reason and the One who calls to ministry is God himself. Ministering to the youth requires a different approach, it is more focused on the youth and their needs, be involved in their daily life, their challenges and relationships. I believe that God has already prepared me, and continues to prepare me, for this mission, and I also believe that God has a lot to do through me, which is a great honor and joy for me to be useful in His hands.
Raffi - Can you tell us what your ministry will entail, and the fields you will be responsible for?
Datev - The ministry will be on different levels:
- On the personal level, I will be meeting with the youth and teenagers to guide them to Jesus Christ and encourage them to follow Him, having in mind the needs of today’s youth.
- On a group level, I will be forming a Core Group of young people who are already committed and have leadership positions but have less time to take care of their own spiritual intake, and will be meeting with them on a monthly basis to have some time of worship and prayer, encouragement and guidance.
- Committees: I will be forming a Joint Teenagers Committee, and a Joint Youth committee that will be planning joint events targeting different occasions on the Armenian and the Christian calendar, whether spiritual, social, or an Armenian cultural event.
- Training: I will be planning leadership training seminars or retreats for our leaders who serve the teenagers and the youth, and also be preparing new leaders who have the potential to serve.
- Recourses: I will be providing resources and materials that are up-to-date and that help the leaders to be prepared.
- Schools: I will be visiting the Armenian Evangelical Schools, doing chapels, and preparing school activities with the leaders of the teens.
- Website: or a Facebook page for the Teens and for the Youth and update it, mentioning new events and posting pictures or giving reports of the past events.
- Camps: I will be planning and executing the Summer Camps, Teens and the Youth.
- On the personal level, I will be meeting with the youth and teenagers to guide them to Jesus Christ and encourage them to follow Him, having in mind the needs of today’s youth.
- On a group level, I will be forming a Core Group of young people who are already committed and have leadership positions but have less time to take care of their own spiritual intake, and will be meeting with them on a monthly basis to have some time of worship and prayer, encouragement and guidance.
- Committees: I will be forming a Joint Teenagers Committee, and a Joint Youth committee that will be planning joint events targeting different occasions on the Armenian and the Christian calendar, whether spiritual, social, or an Armenian cultural event.
- Training: I will be planning leadership training seminars or retreats for our leaders who serve the teenagers and the youth, and also be preparing new leaders who have the potential to serve.
- Recourses: I will be providing resources and materials that are up-to-date and that help the leaders to be prepared.
- Schools: I will be visiting the Armenian Evangelical Schools, doing chapels, and preparing school activities with the leaders of the teens.
- Website: or a Facebook page for the Teens and for the Youth and update it, mentioning new events and posting pictures or giving reports of the past events.
- Camps: I will be planning and executing the Summer Camps, Teens and the Youth.
Raffi - What are the issues that the youth in our churches face today? How can they overcome these issues?
Datev - Due to globalization, rich diverse culture, and dissimilar concerns, the attention of the youth gradually has started drifting away from the church. Having this in mind, we need to admit that the church cannot compete with the world and its progression. This doesn’t mean that it’s a lost cause, and that the church cannot have an effective ministry with the youth. We have another factor that can be offered to the youth, which is to show genuine and personal interest, counsel, acceptance and love.
What the young people need today is first, adult spiritual guidance, not in a traditional way, but in a way that can connect to the youth today. Second, role models that will help them create proper awareness in life in general and in spiritual life in specific. This will give the courage for the youth to tackle the issue of being indifferent, which is the key to becoming a healthy member of the society, and the church. We need to support the youth to create healthy relationships, be interested in education and career forming, and be aware of decent courtship (healthy girlfriend-boyfriend relationships) which will lead them to healthy marriages; therefore, we will have a well-functioning society. The world tries to bring change from the outside, which is why the appearance is the most important aspect; whereas God brings change from the inside out, which is why the heart and the soul of a person matter most for Him. As the body of Christ, we are called to be imitators of God.
The challenge for the body of Christ is to show love and acceptance to the young generation, and the challenge for the young generation is to acknowledge and accept the love offered by God, through His people.
What the young people need today is first, adult spiritual guidance, not in a traditional way, but in a way that can connect to the youth today. Second, role models that will help them create proper awareness in life in general and in spiritual life in specific. This will give the courage for the youth to tackle the issue of being indifferent, which is the key to becoming a healthy member of the society, and the church. We need to support the youth to create healthy relationships, be interested in education and career forming, and be aware of decent courtship (healthy girlfriend-boyfriend relationships) which will lead them to healthy marriages; therefore, we will have a well-functioning society. The world tries to bring change from the outside, which is why the appearance is the most important aspect; whereas God brings change from the inside out, which is why the heart and the soul of a person matter most for Him. As the body of Christ, we are called to be imitators of God.
The challenge for the body of Christ is to show love and acceptance to the young generation, and the challenge for the young generation is to acknowledge and accept the love offered by God, through His people.
Raffi - What are the short term plans?
Datev - The short term plans would be the ongoing plans, which are the same points I mentioned in answering question #2.
Raffi - What are the long term plans?
Datev - There are a lot of ideas for the future of this ministry, having a Youth Center where volunteers can come and hang out with, direct, counsel and provide a healthy resourceful environment to the youth of that specific area. But in general, long term plans or goals would be directed towards the endeavor of investing much time and effort on preparing leaders/disciples for God and His kingdom. After all, we are called to be faithful to the Great Commission written in Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…”
In the end, I would like to state that I believe in Jesus and His promise, He promised to be with us always. He gives me the greatest support I need. Other than that, I will need the cooperation of the leadership and the youth who I am working with, so that the Youth Ministry grows. And as for me, I need is to be faithful to His call and mission; keeping the Christian Endeavor motto in mind; serving Christ and His Church.
In the end, I would like to state that I believe in Jesus and His promise, He promised to be with us always. He gives me the greatest support I need. Other than that, I will need the cooperation of the leadership and the youth who I am working with, so that the Youth Ministry grows. And as for me, I need is to be faithful to His call and mission; keeping the Christian Endeavor motto in mind; serving Christ and His Church.
Installation of Badveli Datev Basmajian, as the Youth Minister of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in Lebanon
On Sunday, 28 Nov. 2010, Badveli Datev Basmajian was installed as the youth minister and coordinator of the Armenian Evangelical Churches, during a worship gathering held in the Armenian Evangelical Church in Ashrafieh. Mr. Serop Ohanian and Badveli Hrayr Cholakian led the worship, Mr. Garbis Deyirmenjian gave the CE Executive Body's word, Rev. Raffi Messerlian preached, and Rev. Megerdich Karagoezian installed Badveli Datev as the youth minister. Rev. Soghomon Kilaghbian prayed for the new youth minister.
The Ashrafieh church band played the music and Mr. Anto Messerlian sang two songs.
Mr. Serop Ohanian
Mr. Anto Messerlian
Ashrafieh church band
During worship
Mr. Garbis Deyirmenjian
Badveli Datev Basmajian and Sirag Karagoezian-Basmajian
Rev. Raffi Messerlian
Badveli Datev Basmajian
During the installation with the members of the Christian Endeavor Executive Body
The Ashrafieh church band played the music and Mr. Anto Messerlian sang two songs.
Mr. Serop Ohanian
Mr. Anto Messerlian
Ashrafieh church band
During worship
Mr. Garbis Deyirmenjian
Badveli Datev Basmajian and Sirag Karagoezian-Basmajian
Rev. Raffi Messerlian
Badveli Datev Basmajian
During the installation with the members of the Christian Endeavor Executive Body
Chanitz Summer Camp at Kchag
During worship time
The band
Rev. Ounsi Anees (Egypt), who brought the messages
Bible Study with Rev. Vicken Cholakian (Greece)
The camp leaders (L to R, front): Jiro Ghazarian, Yester Kilaghbian, Liza Barsoumian, Silva Chilingirian, Hagop Akbasharian
(L to R, back): Badveli Hovhannes Hovsepyan, Badveli Hrayr Cholakian, Rev. Ounsi Anees, Badveli Datev Basmajian, Rev. Vicken Cholakian
Young Stewards from Around the World Participating in the World Council of Churches' (WCC) Central Committee Meeting
Stewards WCC Central Committee 2011 on the cultural day
Priscilla Balachandran, Mihaja Randrianja, Anthony Elenbaas, Ms. Chantal Alexe and Rose Mika Fable
Razmig Michaelian (Lebanon)
WCC Central Committee 2011 Stewards during cultural evening
Arthur Gevorgyan (Armenia)
Mihaja Randrianja & Krystsina Charniuk
Luthendo Moyo, staff member Marc-Henri Heiniger, Camilo Andres Portillo Yanez & Iryna Vaisane
Two New Kids Songs CDs, by Tamar Albarian (Canada)
