The snow-covered Mount Ararat, towering above Yerevan, Armenia, fades from view as I fly homeward toward Iran and onto Dubai. It is Friday, 28 February. For the last 8 days I have had the privilege of serving our brothers and sisters in the Armenian Baptist Churches.
The reasons for my trip were several. On behalf of HBC, I went to teach 8 students Theology and Survey of the New Testament at the Baptist Union Seminary (see A Story of God’s Grace below), minister to various churches and preach to over 80 pastors at a Baptist pastors’ conference where I encouraged the brothers from the life of Abraham to remain faithful despite challenges. After the conference I met with our supported church planter, Hayke, where he provided me with an update on his ministry (see below).
I also had the privilege of speaking and preaching at the Ararat Study Bible presentation, where 110 pastors and ministry workers from 4 different denominations were in attendance, including representatives of the Armenian Apostolic Church. This was the culmination of 7 years of hard work to translate the ESV Study Bible notes, licenced through CrossWay Books, into the Armenian language. It also included modernising the Armenian Ararat Bible which was used for the new Ararat Study Bible. It has been an honour to work on this project with the Armenian Bible Society, Apostolic Archbishop Yeznik Petrosyan, Asatur Nahapetyan and 15 translators.
Patience and perseverance are paying off: Report from Church Planters, Hayke and Lika
HBC have supported Hayke and his wife Lika since they began their work in 2018. Back then, they set out, with Lika pregnant, to plant a church in Agarak, the most southern town of Armenia, bordering Iran. They left with enthusiasm and little experience and now the Lord has given them three growing girls, 7, 6 and 1, and developed them in wisdom, patience and resilience.
When we sent a team in 2019 and then again in 2023 the church was still finding its feet, with a couple of women and a handful of children attending each Sunday. Now things are a little different. With much joy Hayke shared that they now have a young disciple, named Parkev, serving with him since returning from 2 years military duty. Parkev is an eager and gifted young man who now leads the youth group of 6 teens and is slowly learning to preach. Lika leads the Saturday children’s program, where 12 children regularly attend. Apart from their family there is a regular attendance of 10-12 adults plus children for Sunday worship.
Beyond these things, Hayke is becoming more accepted in the town and the church is growing in recognition and legitimacy. He puts much of God’s recent blessings and growth down to the commencement of a weekly women’s prayer meeting, started toward the end of 2024. The last 6 years of slow progress has served him well.
Please pray for Hayke and Lika. Lika is having a few non-critical health concerns and Hayke is experiencing growing back pain. Pray for the Lord’s favour on their ministry and for the faith of their three girls. Lastly, please pray for the provision of funds to fit out the ground floor of the church we helped renovate.
From Prodigal to Pastor: A Story of God’s Grace
Not only did I enjoy teaching the 8 seminary students, but I particularly valued getting to know each one’s personal story. Armen, 31 years old, moved from Russia, leaving behind his parents and sister, to live with his grandmother and study theology at the seminary. There was also 22-year-old Ishaak (Isaac) who tragically lost his brother in the war with Azerbaijan for Nagorno Karabakh, 2 years ago. Behind his beautiful, infectious smile lay a deep sorrow which Jesus was in the process of mending. And then there was 30-year-old Misak. He was my interpreter during lunch discussions, having grown up in the US until the age of 10, before coming to Armenia with his father. He had a zeal to know Christ more and a submission to go wherever his Lord would lead him, so long as he could share all that Jesus had done for him. But it wasn’t always like this. Over coffee he shared with me his story.
When he arrived in Armenia his mother and sister were required to stay behind in the US and wait for visa-approval before emigrating to Armenia. This would take 7 years, over which time young Misak became restless, and like the prodigal from Luke 15, he wanted freedom from the “oppression” of his godly father’s household. And like the prodigal, at the age of 20, he set out for a distant land; this meant going back to California.
It wasn’t long before he fell in with the wrong crowd and began taking drugs, unbeknown to his father, leading to depression and schizophrenia. At the age of 24, after a binge weekend and a work of God, he “came to himself” (Luke 15:17). Self-sufficient Misak was falling apart and could no longer hold his life together. He shared that his head felt like it was exploding, and he called his dad, crying out, “what should I do?”. His father told him to call to Jesus who is there to take all his burdens upon Himself and give him peace and rest and purpose.
As he cried out in repentance everything changed, for he realised that Jesus is the centre of the universe and not him. Jesus held it all together, meaning he didn’t have to. He said, “When I understood this I immediately began to live. My personality changed. I had joy and could show love without trying to manipulate and control.” Like the prodigal he returned home to his father’s house in Armenia, leaving behind the chains of his old life. Without any other consideration he asked to go to seminary.
Misak is now engaged to a godly young woman, whom he plans to marry in July this year. After this his degree should almost be finished, and he hopes to start pastoring alongside his father in his father’s church in Yerevan. Jesus promised His disciples that,
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).
Misak knew of the destructive nature of the “thief” and had come to share in the abundant life of Jesus, his Saviour. Pray for Misak as he continues to walk in step with the One whose yoke is easy and burden is light. Jesus brings real healing, resulting in rest and joy and purpose, to those who are despairing of life. Thank you Lord!
As I travel home my heart is overflowing with gratitude to the Lord for the rich experience of having a front-row seat into His work in Armenia. Be assured HBC, the Kingdom of God is expanding and Christ is saving people from every tribe and nation for His astounding glory.
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