The Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East (UAECNE) concludes its three-day, 76th General Assembly
The Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East (UAECNE) concluded its three-day, 76th General Assembly on 7 July 2023. As had been previously decided, the format of this year’s meeting was consultative, taking up “Evangelism” as the topic, alongside the business meeting. The theme for the General Assembly was “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…” (Luke 4.16-21).
Each day began with a worship service, committing the day’s discussions to God. Following this a Bible study on the theme was presented by Rev. Dr. Haroutune Selimian.
Rev. Selimian was also by the 76th General Assembly as the Moderator for the Assembly, with Rev. Jirair Ghazarian as Clerk and Pastor Shant Agishian as Vice-Clerk.
The second day (6 July) of the meeting was conducted in a seminar format, exploring various practical applications of the topic of “Evangelism”. Rev. Raffi Messerlian delved into its meaning and its expression in the Armenian Evangelical setting. Following this Mr. John Sagherian presented “Jesus’ approach to Evangelism”. In the afternoon Pastor Sebouh Terzian surveyed Social Work as an expression of Evangelism, whereafter Dr. Arda Ekmekji considered the Armenian Evangelical mission of “Evangelism through Education”. Special responses were contributed by the Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian, President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, President of Haigazian University in Lebanon, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Evangelical Family, and Reverends Nishan Bakalian, Mr. Nerses Baghdoyan, and Mmes. Maria Boshgezenian, Lena Danaoghlian, Karineh Cholakian and Lousine Chil-Aposhian. The nearly 50 in attendance, both delegates and guests, had the opportunity to study each topic more deeply, and where possible to consider actions that could be implemented.
All of the participants joined together for an extended prayer time, forming small groups to pray for God’s leading in these various issues related to Evangelism.
The third day (7 July) was a business meeting, during which the delegates heard about the current concerns being addressed by the Central Committee of the UAECNE. The meeting also offered a platform for further consideration and planning.
A booklet of printed annual reports were distributed to the delegates to study to become familiarized with the ministries of the churches, schools and institutions of the Union. Central Committee Treasurer Miss Pauline Sagherian gave a brief presentation of the Union's financial picture.
The General Assembly also elected four members to the Central Committee (2 from Lebanon and 2 from Syria) to fill the places of those completing their terms. The assembly joyfully received the news of the 2 July dedication service of the newly-built Armenian Evangelical Community Headquarters, along with word of the progress of the post-fire reconstruction of the Anjar Church…
This news was originally published on the website of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, Please Click Here to Read More.
