Brief History and Mission

35^th Anniversary of the Armenian Missionary Association of Canada

During the 1915 Armenian Genocide 1.5 million Armenians were massacred. Other than the innocent human loss of lives, Organized Armenian Communities and Institutions were wiped out, not least of which was the Armenian Evangelical Church, established on July 1, 1846 in Istanbul Turkey. Before the high level orchestrated efforts of ethnic cleansing, there were 137 Armenian Evangelical Churches in Turkey of which only 31 were left. Out of 175 ordained ministers only 43 survived. Out of 270 Church Schools 32 remained. Out of 369 elementary schools 31 survived, of the 46 secondary schools nothing remained and out of the 8 Colleges, only 4 were spared. The aftermath of the great Atrocities was that the survivors of the Genocide were dispersed throughout the world.

In the wake of this national tragedy, through the vision and wisdom of a group of Armenian Evangelical Church Ministers and Lay leaders, the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) was founded in the city of Worcester, Massachusetts on June 7, 1918.
The purpose of the Association was “To strengthen the spiritual life of our Churches and to rebuild the ruined churches of the fatherland”.
Thus, the AMAA became the unifying bond and catalyst of the Armenian Evangelical Churches scattered all over the world, providing the needed leadership and guidance.

Following AMAA’s example, representatives of the Four Armenian Evangelical Churches in Canada: Toronto, Cambridge and both Armenian Evangelical Churches of Montreal, met in the presence of AMAA’s Executive Director Rev. Guiragos Chopourian and the Field Director Rev. Movses B. Janbazian on Saturday, May 29, 1982 in Toronto. At this first meeting, Rev. Yessayi Sarmazian served as Chair and Mr. Mihran Jizmejian as the Secretary. It was unanimously decided to apply the Federal Government for Charitable Status for the Association. The Armenian Missionary Association of Canada (AMAC). was established on March 17, 1984. The Canadian Federal Government issued the Charitable Association Status # 89062 4190 RC0001 on September 7, 1984.

The following have been the founding members of the Association: Reverends Abraham Jizmejian, Ardashes Kerbabian, Hovhannes Agnerian, Yessayi Sarmazian, Jirair Bezdikian, Ms. Alice Marandjian, Ms. Sonia Matossian, Dr, George Ajemian, Messer Anton Torunian, Karekin Sagherian, Papken Tountaian, Hagop Basmadjian, Souren Hadjian, Sarkis Hanenian, Mihran Jizmejian, Antibas Lousararian, Puzant Danaian and Hagop Kaakahjian.

Dr. George Ajemian has served as the first president of the Association from 1984-1991. The second president, Mr. Mihran Jizmejian has relocated AMAC’s H.Q. from Montreal to Toronto in 1992. The Toronto Church has graciously allowed a room in the basement of the 28 Glenforest Rd. to be used as an office until 1998, when the Church moved to its new building complex in the city of Markham, Ontario.
During those six years, the office had a part time secretary on Mondays.
Mr. Hagop Basmadjian, Rev. Mher Khatchigian, Mr. David Torunian, Mr. Ghevont Nalbandian and Mr. Mihran Jizmejian have served as presidents.

Mr. Antibas Lousararian, Ms. Sona Matossian, Mr. Nubar Doramadjian, Mr. Hagop Basmadjian Mr. Jack Kafesdjian and Mr. Sarkis Marandjian have served as treasurers.

We praise God and thank for the following Board members, men and women of God who have faithfully served the Association during the past 35 years.

Reverends Abraham Jizmejian, Ardashes Kerbabian, Hovhannes Agnerian, Yessayi Sarmazian, Hovhannes Sarmazian, Megerditch Melkonian, Jirayr Bezdikian, George Dabo, Samuel Albarian, Hovhanness Svadjian, Serop Megerditchian and Pastor Mardiros Eylendjian.
Madams Alice Marandjian, Liza Albarian, A. Anspikian, Salpy Kadjemian, Dzovinar Hadjian, Anayis Doramadjian, Silva Yenovkian, Zela Kakousian, Dr. Ani Hasserjian and Ruth Demirjian Duench.
Messer Anton Torunian, Karekin Sagherian,

Papken Tountayan, Sarkis Hanenian, Simon Mouradian, Harout Nercessian, Souren Hadjian, John Ajemian, Hagop Kaakahjian, Puzant Danayan, Vartan Bakerjian, Berdj Bakerjian, Sarkis Torossian, Harout Ohanian, Levon Hasserjian, Hagop Janbazian, Jimmy Ajemian, Khoren Philibossian, Vatche Albarian, Raffi Shnorhokian, Jerry Sabbaghian, Zareh Kakousian, Kourken Bedirian, Megerditch Balabanian, Dikran Kalaydjian, Jirayr Panossian, Fernand Hratch Vartanian, Alex Talaslian, Hovig Zakarian and Edward Arabian.
For the past 100 years in the U. S. A. and 35 years in Canada, the twin Armenian Missionary Associations have continued to serve the physical and spiritual needs of our people everywhere.

To fulfill this worldwide mission AMAA and AMAC maintain a wide range of educational, relief, social service, evangelistic, church and childcare ministries in 24 countries around the world.

The founders of the AMAA/AMAC were men and women of a noble vision and the present members faithfully continue to be committed to that holy mission.

Through this faithful commitment, numerous projects take care of and greatly contribute to the essential needs of not just the Armenian compatriots in our Homeland Hayasdan (Armenia), Artsakh, and in the Diaspora but also many other ethnic groups who experience hardships during natural (floods, earthquakes) or man-made disasters of war and ethnic violence.

The following are some of the ongoing projects of the Armenian Missionary Associations:

a) Disaster Relief

Earthquakes and Flood Victims, War and Ethnic Violence Areas

Since the Christian Community in Syria was targeted, a state of emergency was announced to preserve the Christian presence. Moral and Financial support is greatly needed and both AMAA and AMAC, are doing their utmost to reach out by assisting them to repair the ruined churches, businesses and houses to inspire our brothers and sisters with the hope of a better tomorrow.

b) Sponsor A Child

Immediately after the devastating earthquake of 1988 in Armenia, AMAA and AMAC initiated and supported various relief programs providing necessities of a normal life. To this date orphan and child care sponsorship programs continue in Armenia, Artsakh and the Middle East. Over 2800 orphans and 1500 needy children benefit from this program. The annual Sponsorship fee for a child is $300, less than the amount we spend for one coffee a day.

c) Churches and Missions

Armenian Evangelical Churches worldwide have benefited from the generosity of the twin Missionary Associations. Renovating church buildings and assisting in their mission’s programs.
d) Armenia Children’s Milk Fund.
This is a service which provides essential care for a healthy start in life to some of Armenia’s most vulnerable citizens (babies.) The fund’s mission is to provide a life-sustaining nutritional program of vitamin enhanced formula for infants during their first year of life.

e) Summer Camps

These camps are organized and operated every year and are important for child care and Christian upbringing. This provides an opportunity for underprivileged children to spend a week in a camp for sports, arts and crafts activities.

f) Education

AMAA and AMAC support nurseries, kindergartens, schools and a University in Armenia, Artsakh and in Diaspora.
We have started the “SHOGH” After School Educational Day Centres in Armenia and Karabagh for over 400 students, who need extra care to study and grasp their lessons. The students under the guidance of qualified teachers, social workers and psychologists prepare their daily lessons in brighter environments and receive hot nutritional meals.
The most recent educational achievement was on Wednesday, October 8, 2014 when AMAA celebrated the grand opening of a state of the art new Khoren and Shooshanig Avedissian School and Community Center in Yerevan. The “green” building is the first international LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified building in Armenia.
The school has over 700 students from Kindergarten to Grade 12.
As recently as October of 2018 the Askeran Kinder Garden in Karabagh, sponsored by the AMAA and AMAC was officially renamed, Mr. & Mrs. Yeprem and Zabel Basmadjian Kinder Garden, upon a sizeable donation received from Mr. Hagop Basmadjian of Montreal in loving memory of his parents.
The Haigazian University of Beirut Lebanon is the only Armenian University in the Diaspora which is supported by the Armenian Evangelical Church and the AMAA.

g) Health Care and Medical Mission in Armenia

Different dental and health care centres provide basic care to needy families. A group of health care providers and medical students visit Armenia every summer to examine and treat patients. Dentists educate and provide fluoride treatment specifically in rural areas.
h) Agricultural Heifer Armenia.
The Heifer International Armenia program assists families in building small, viable farm business to improve the socio economic situations of vulnerable families.

i) Stitched With Love

This is a program which aims to provide knit hats and baby blankets to newborns in maternity hospitals throughout Armenia.
The AMAA/AMAC continue to contribute to the moral and spiritual development of Armenians in Armenia and elsewhere with the voluntary donations of its members. All Armenians are encouraged to join in with their prayers and financial support for the projects mentioned above. As Christians we firmly believe that, “It is in giving that we receive…” and God will bless all willing and cheerful givers.

DONATIONS

GIVING MONEY

Gifts in the form of cash, or personal cheques are the most common methods of charitable giving. All gifts to the Armenian Missionary Association of Canada (AMAC) delivered or mailed by December 31st, will receive tax deduction receipts for that year, which bring cheer not only to the giver, but also brings renewed hope to thousands who depend on that giving. Please be as generous as you can and give cheerfully and as liberally as God (the source of all gifts) commands.

APPRECIATED PROPERTY & GIVING SECURITIES

Stocks, bonds and mutual funds that have increased value can bring extra tax savings for the tax year. Not only the donor will enjoy the tax deduction for the fair market value of the gift but will also bypass capital gains tax that would otherwise be due if the securities were sold.

GIVING THROUGH A WILL OR LIVING TRUST

The end of the year is also a good time to review long-range estate and financial planning. Giving through wills, living trusts, life insurance policies and retirement accounts will offer great opportunities to leave a great legacy to charitable interests.

ENDOWMENT FUNDS

Gifts and bequests can be used to establish endowment funds in the name of the donor or someone the donor wishes to honour. These endowment funds are invested by AMAC and the income is used to support designated purposes of the donor as part of the worldwide outreach of the Association.

There are many ways you can make your giving meaningful and cheerful. Planning and timing are essential. Just take a moment and think what your giving today will mean personally for you and others tomorrow. God bless you abundantly.

Please make all checks payable to the AMAC, clearly identifying the project/s of your choice on the enclosed donation slip. All donations can be mailed to the AMAC office @ 45 Fairglen Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M1T 1G8, Canada.

St. John the Evangelist in First John 3:17-18 has written the following.
“Suppose someone has enough to live and sees a brother or sister in need but does not help. Then God’s love is not living in that person. My children, we should love people not only with words and talk, but by our actions and true caring.”

Mihran Jizmejian
AMAC President 2019