The August 22-25, 1996 Biennial Assembly of the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America (AEUNA), was held in conjunction with the Armenian Evangelical Adult Fellowship (AEAF) and the Armenian Evangelical youth Fellowship (AEYF). The convention was hosted by the Calvary Armenian Congregational Church of San Francisco, the Rev. Stephen D. Muncherian, pastor, and Ms. Margaret Shamlian, chairperson of the Assembly Steering committee.
325 registered adults, youth and children gathered around the theme “From Generation to Generation We Will Recount Thy Praise,” (Psalms 79:13). They praised God through the wonderful ministry of music led by the six member “Nor Yerk” group under the direction of the Rev. Nerses Balabanian of Ainjar, Lebanon. Through joint panel discussions and seminars, those present were given an overview of the past, and challenged to focus on the purpose and mission of the church moving into the 21st century; the need for evangelism from within, reaching out to the surrounding communities through the local churches; our continued mission to Armenia and the world through the AMAA—the ministry of evangelism, feeding, healing and teaching. The possibility of Armenians preaching the gospel to the Moslem countries surrounding Armenia was also touched upon.
Rev. Nishan Bakalian served as the Moderator of the four Joint panel Sessions led by the following: the Rev. Barkev Darakjian, “The Historical Relationship with the Armenian Apostolic Church”; Rev. Dr. Vahan Tootikian, “The Faith and Practice of the Armenian Evangelical Church”; Rev. Greg Haroutunian, “The Distinctives of the Armenian Evangelical Church”; and Revs. Steve Muncherian and Vahan Tootikian, “Our Purpose, Mission and Focus in the 21st Century.” Questions were asked by appointed individuals.
There were the following five seminars: Ministry to the Elderly, Rev. Dr. Shoushan Salibian; The Dynamics of Church Leadership, John Eleazarian, Esquire and the Rev. Karl V. Avakian; Personal Evangelism, Dr. Gilbert Bilezikian; Gender Barriers in the Church, David Boghosian and Paul Kassabian; Getting Computerized in the Church, Dr. Setrag Khoshafian. The main speakers Rev. Dr. Bruce Baloian and Dr. Gilbert Bilezikian challenged those present to be obedient to God’s call and to the vision to preach the gospel to all, being willing to take risks. Rev. Ed Noble, of the Evangelical Free Church of Fresno, CA. Affectionately renamed “Yervant Aznivian” focused on how worthy god is of our radical commitment to Him—the need to step out, taking risks in our relationship with God. The children’s ministry under the leadership of Karen Muncherian was outstanding. Over thirty children participated in worship, singing and crafts. Arpi Haleblian was the speaker. There were two concerts, a story time of Armenian folk tales and culture by Alidz Aghbabian, a field trip to Coyote Point—a nature museum and playground, and even a banquet. During the Sunday morning worship service the children walked in with their large banner designed during the week and rendered a song.
There were early morning prayer meetings. The Thursday morning prayer meeting was led by Joe and Joyce Stein, and Friday by Rosette Tootikian. They shared personal testimonies, scripture passages, and led in a time of prayer. The Saturday morning women’s and men’s prayer breakfasts speakers were Nancy Avakian, and the Honorable Stephen Vartabedian, Judge of the California Appellate Court.
The celebration of the Saturday evening banquets focused on recounting His praise for the past, and listening to challenges for the 21st century. The speakers for the adult banquet were Dr. Kenell Touryan of New Mexico, and Rev. Gilbert Leonian, the moderator of the Armenian Evangelical Union of France. A brief review of the contributions of the missionaries to the Armenian people was given by the Rev. Dr. Vahan Tootikian. A message was read from His Holiness Karekin I, Catholicos of all Armenians, and personal greetings and celebratory remarks were given by the Rev. Father Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Mr. Abraham Haleblian on behalf of the Union of Armenian Brotherhood Bible Churches, as well as the moderators of the AEUNA, the AEAF and the host church. The music was once again provided by the “Nor Yerk.” Mr. Edward Medzian was, as usual, an outstanding Master of Ceremonies.
There was also a time of special recognition for the following retired ministers and spouses who were present: Mrs. Grace Avazian, Rev. James and Eunice Chamichian, Rev. Mihran M. Keoroghlian, Mrs. Anoosh Kerbabian, Rev. Assadour and Angele Sadakian, Mrs. Yevnige Salibian and Mrs. Rosine Tabakian Shamlian. During the Friday evening convocation the 94th birthday of the Rev. Mihran Koeroghlian was celebrated.
The youth banquet included a slide show from the AEYF tour and convention. Several student leaders reflected on the importance of the AEYF in their lives. Raffi Kaldjian was honored for his dedicated service to the Western Region AEYF. Finally, Rev. Greg Haroutunian, closed the evening, encouraging the students to see themselves as the future-NOW—of the Armenian Evangelical movement.
The evening ended with a brief and powerful inter-generational service, when young and old participated in the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Armenian Evangelical Church. Close to 500 congregants were present during the Sunday morning worship service. The uplifting ministry of praise was once again led by the “Nor Yerk” group. There were prayers of remembrance for the forty founding members of the Evangelical Church of Armenia, the host of witnesses from the past, as well as AEUNA ministers and spouses who entered their eternal rest in the years 1994-1996. The sermons in English and Armenian were preached by the newly elected moderator and vice moderator; the sacrament of communion was led by the Revs. Dr. Tootikian, (North America), Gilbert Levonian (Europe) and Nerses Balabanian (Ainjar, Lebanon).
The Thursday evening concert by the six member of Nor Yerk group, (Rev. Nerses Balabanian, Garbis Deyirmenjian, Salpi and Sarkis Keleshian, from Lebanon, Houri Apartian—Syria, Rev. Nishan Bakalian—New York) was a very uplifting and popular event. The youth talent night, tours prior to the assembly, and the wonderful evening receptions by our hosts gave the opportunity to relax and the fellowship.
The Rev. Dr. Soghomon Nuyujukian, Moderator of the AEUNA, led the assembly business meetings attended by church delegates, ministers and guests. The following slate of officers were elected for the 1996-1998 term. The Rev. Bernard Guekguezian (pastor of the First Armenian Presbyterian Church of Fresno), Moderator of the AEUNA; the Rev. Nishan Bakalian (pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Church of New York), Vice Moderator; Kay Zoolatian (of Whittier, California), Clerk; Gene Kezirian 9CPA of Fresno), Treasurer. Standing Committee Chairmen: Rev. Mihran Kupeyan (Pasadena, CA), Armenian Christian Heritage; Rev. Joseph Matossian (Downey, CA), Evangelism; Rev. Ron Tovmassian (Hollywood, CA), Ministry; David Hagopian (Chicago), Stewardship; Rev. Barkev Darakjian (Glendale, CA), Publication; Rev. Ara Heghinian (Paramus, NJ), Youth. Advisors: Ara Balian (Watertown, MA); George Beylerian (San Jose, CA); Rev. Mher Khatchigian (Montreal, Canada); Edward Saliba (La Mirada, CA); Grace Salibian (New York, NY); Michelle Simourian (Dover, MA).
Historically, The Armenian Evangelical Union of North America (AEUNA) was organized in 1971. This was the merger of the Union of the Eastern States (1901), the Union of California (1908) and the Canadian Churches, whose first church was organized in 1960 in Toronto. The first Armenian Evangelical Fellowship was organized in Worcester, Mass., in 1882, and incorporated as a church in 1892. The movement itself began in Pera, a district of Istanbul, Turkey, when the Evangelical Church of Armenia was established on July 1, 1846.
Rev. Karl Vartan Avakian
Minister to the Union