The First Bible Society Resource Center opening in Doha, Qatar

Doha, October 2007: “This is a historical day for me and for the Bible Society in the Gulf to see a dream come true,” said Hrayr Jebejian, General Secretary of the Bible Society in the Gulf, during the dedication of the first Bible Society Resource Center in the capital of Qatar, Doha. “I first visited Doha ten years ago, and I had the dream then to see a Bible center in this city. God taught me to be patient, and today we are gathered to inaugurate the first Bible Resource Center in Doha,” Mr. Jebejian continued.

The Bible Society in the Gulf initiated and developed the Bible Resource Center in cooperation and partnership of Grace Fellowship in Doha, Qatar. Grace Fellowship is an inter-confessional church that has graciously allocated a place in its Church compound for the Scripture ministry.

The inauguration and the dedication of the Resource Center took place on Friday, October 26, 2007, at 10:00 am. Hrayr Jebejian shared with the attendees the historical developments of the Scripture ministry in the country over the years. He emphasized the importance of the Resource Center being “a Society for the Bible” which is owned by all.
“I encourage you to nurture and develop this Center as it belongs to you all,” he concluded. Hrayr Jebejian thanked the Grace Fellowship for the ongoing cooperation and partnership with the Bible Society. The dedication prayer was offered by Neil Kendrick, Chairman of the Leadership Team of the Grace Fellowship.

Mr. James Christopher is the Bible Society Representative in Doha, Qatar. It has been two years now that he has been based in Doha and has been actively involved since then in developing the Scripture ministry within the different churches and denominations in the country.

“This is fantastic. It is a great reality to see that we have a Bible Resource Center in Qatar now,” said one of the members of the Church. “We love the Bible Society for it is so keen to provide Bibles and Christian resource materials to the community,” said another member.

The first Bible Resource Center is a step forward in assisting the churches in having access to the Scriptures. The Bible Society imports Bibles and Christian literature into Qatar through a special legal and government license that was obtained in December 2004.

We received this news from Mr. Hrayr Jebejian.

Badanegan Doun and Camp Armen (Պատանեկան Տուն) 6

And slowly we started to grow up. Bits and pieces, from hither and tither, we used to get our hands on books, which we read in secret, without our mother knowing about it. When she used to find out, she would scold us saying, "You will bring trouble upon your heads".
Whenever I used to get my hands on a Turkish book or newspaper, or anything else, I used to search for the word "Armenian", or anything related to Armenians. I used to find about Armenians, or something written against the Armenians. As about the Turks, "they are born free. Armenians have never had a homeland, while the Turks have always been rulers. Civilization was brought to Europe from the Ottoman Empire."
You have a fight with a Turkish boy, you go to the police, they ask your name, even if you are the innocent and in the right, you are declared guilty.
You go to ask for a permission to renovate a school building, a Church or Church building, they tell you, "Oulan Artk, bou memlekette kilisi milisi yapl@maz, bosh yere oughrashma." (Fool, in this country churches smurches cannot be built anymore, don't endeavor in vain).

Badanegan Doun and Camp Armen, Hrant Guzelian

*Translation by R. Chil.

Christians have forgotten their mission?

Have Christians forgotten their mission? There is an interesting interview that Tim Challies had with Daren Rowse, a blogger himself too.

Here's what Daren shares:
My first blog was a ‘Christian Blog’ in many senses. One of the things that I became a bit frustrated with over the two or so years that that blog was active was that I saw the majority of Christian bloggers gathering together to talk about subjects that related to them - but very little outward focus or interaction with the wider blogosphere.

My critique of Christian blogging is actually similar to my critique of much of what I see happening with the Church today - an overemphasis upon gathering together as believers - at the expense of ‘going into the world to make disciples’.

My own understanding of missions is one that we’re called to:

  • have Proximity - to go into the world, be near people, rub shoulders with them etc
  • have Presence - build relationships, walk with people, hear what’s going on in their lives, share out lives
  • be Powerless - (wrong word, but this is a 4 ‘P’ sermon) - to be humble, to allow God to be the great missionary and do his work and to allow the other person to have some power in the situation
  • Proclaim - out of these other 3 steps we need to be ready and willing to proclaim the Gospel. I think that often as Christians we rush to the ‘proclaim’ stage but miss out on relationships
What do you think about Daren's message? Are Christians too busy with themselves and revolve only in their own circles?

Source: Tim Challies
http://www.challies.com/archives/interviews/interviewing-the-problogger.php

The Armenian presence in the Gulf, interview with Hrayr Jebejian

On Radio Voice of Van (Vanatzayn) Mr. Hrayr Jebejian talked about the presence of Armenian families and individuals in the Gulf. Also, about the work of Bible Society.
Here are some of the topics that he discussed:
  • Bible Society and its relation with the churches in Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Abou Dhabi,...
  • Bible Society and its relation with the governments of the Gulf
  • Where Christians worship and how they are organized
  • Armenians getting organized more than before
  • The issue of assimilation being less in Arabic societies
  • Armenian Orthodox, Armenian Catholic and Armenian Evangelical belonging not a matter of huge difference in the Gulf. There is more mutual acceptance and participation.
  • The activities of Bible Society in the Gulf and their message of "PEACE" for the year 2008.
You can hear the interview by clicking on here.
For more info: Bible Society Gulf

Rev. Krikor AghabalOghlu, the hero, in Cyprus

The struggle to preserve the Armenian and Christian identities
Nicosia, October 2007: Rev. Krikor Aghabaoghlou inspired the Armenian community in Cyprus and challenged them for one week to “press on” with their struggle to preserve the Armenian and Christian identities. His real-life message filled with passion and compassion for Christ and Armenianness was very inspiring. He touched on ground realities by exposing the situation of the Armenian community in Istanbul and the remote cities and towns in Turkey. He portrayed
not only the struggle for survival but also the struggle for truth and justice. His ministry and mission are undoubtedly exemplary. Rev. Krikor Aghabaoghlou’s visit to Cyprus lasted from October 7 to 14, 2007. He delivered three lectures in the three main cities of Nicosia, Larnaca and Limassol. He was also the guest preacher on Saturday at the service of the Armenian Evangelical Church in Nicosia.

During his stay, Rev. Krikor Aghabaoghlou visited the Armenian Prelacy and met with His Eminence Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian, Primate of Cyprus. He then visited the Armenian member of Parliament in Cyprus, Mr. Vartkes Mahdessian, who had undertaken Krikor’s visa formalities to Cyprus.

Rev. Krikor got acquainted with the Armenian community in Cyprus by visiting the various institutions and organizations. He visited the Kalayjian Home for the old, met with the elderly in the center and encouraged them with the Word of God. It was, indeed, an emotional moment for the old Armenian residents of the center to see a person coming from historical Armenia.
The special audience with the students of the Nareg Armenian School in Nicosia was full of excitement. Rev. Krikor encouraged the students to keep firm in their love for the Armenian language, commitment for Christ and His Church. He then visited the headquarters of the Armenian organizations in Nicosia and met with the leadership of the Armenian General Benevolent Union, Armenian Young Men’s Association (Homenetmen), and Nor Serount Cultural Association.

The Armenian radio program of the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation interviewed Rev. Krikor for 45 minutes, and the interview was broadcast on Saturday, October 13. Rev. Aghabaoghlou also met with the editors of the three Armenian publications and e- news in Cyprus: Artzakank, Azad Tzayn and Gibrahayer.

Rev. Krikor Aghabaoglou is the pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Church in Gedik Pasha, Istanbul. His visit to Cyprus was organized by the Armenian Evangelical Church in Cyprus.

We received this news from Hrayr Jebejian from Cyprus

Funny Jokes...Part 1

1-A man was beaten up by robbers on a road to London. He lay there, half dead and in bad shape. A Vicar came along, saw him and passed by on the other side. Next, a monk came by but also walked quickly on the other side. Finally, a social worker came along, looked at the man and said "Whoever did this needs help!"

2-What do you get when you cross an atheist with a Jehovahs Witness?.... Someone who knocks at your door for no apparent reason.

3-It wasn't the apple that caused the trouble in the Garden of Eden, it was the pair on the ground.

4-What did the cross eyed school teacher say to his disruptive children? - "I can't control my pupils."

Our Time Are In His Hands‏

At the end of each year, a calender is like an album containing little snapshots of what we've done and where we've been. At home, our family has one simple rule, "Write everything down in pencil." One important lesson that a calender teaches is that plans can change. Doctor's appointments get canceled, dinner dates gets rescheduled, and anticipated events don't work out. Thankfully, that doesn't mean that our lives are out of control, that nothing is certain, and that there's nothing we can trust in.

God wants you to move through this day with a quiet heart, an inward assurance that He is in control, a peaceful certainty that your life is in His hands, a deep trust in His plan and purposes, and a thankful disposition in all that He allows. He wants you to put your faith in Him, not in a timetable. He wants you to wait on Him and wait for Him. In His perfect way He will put everything together... see to every detail... arrange every circumstace... and order every step to bring to pass what He has for you.

Blessing,
Roy Lessin, Co-founder of DaySpring

Armenian Genocide Resolution is one step closer

27 yes, 21 no

The Armenian Genocide Resolution 106 passed, and it is now the turn of Nancy Pelosi to bring up the Resolution for a vote in the entire Congress.

Now if the Resolution passes in Congress, it will be the turn of the Senate. And if the voting goes for the Resolution, we will have the Resolution.

Till today, Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Write your comments and congratulation letters.