Category: Missions

In 2 Corinthians 8–9 there is some significant teaching about giving and we do well to think about it. Armenian Christian Mission Inc. is the same as other most (if not all) missions in that it looks to the Lord to supply the finance necessary for its operations; it has no independent financial base.

In these chapters Paul writes about the accountability of those who were handling a significant sum of money that was being collected to help poor believers in Jerusalem and Judea. The money was not just entrusted to Paul to handle. Titus was also deeply involved in the collection and was helping organise the generous gift that had been promised by the church in Corinth. Two other brothers, both unnamed, were involved with them. Both men were of good reputation within the churches. One was a man whose praise was in the gospel throughout the churches and the other had proved himself to be diligent in many things.

Why write about this? In the last year, Armenian Christian Mission has become an incorporated organisation. This means that we now have to give account of ourselves to the relevant government bodies. This in itself is a good thing. Although as believers we should always be honest and straightforward in money matters, it is good to know that someone will be checking to ensure that the right thing is being done. In making the arrangements that he did, Paul was not only doing the right thing, but ensuring that the right thing was seen to be done.

At the same time as we think of accountability, we should also think of giving. An organisation like ACM Inc. does not have a financial base. It depends on the generosity of Lord’s people to continue its work. His work is of two kinds. There are the things which people would quickly recognise the kind of work we would do. Christian workers are supported and Christian literature is printed and distributed. We support our field officer and are the major sponsors for Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) workers.

Second, there is the humanitarian work which includes monthly financial support for the very poor or food parcels for some. This may include the provision of firewood in winter. Medical assistance is given in a number of cases.

Humanitarian assistance is not an end in itself. Our field officer in Armenia has the responsibility to take the gospel to the people we help; there is also another brother who conducts Bible studies with some of those we help. As a result a number of these people have come to faith in our Lord Jesus and several of them have been baptised.

You may ask what you can do. First and foremost we ask you to pray for the work. But we also ask you to consider giving to this work. Most of the CEF workers are subsisting on less than a minimum allowance; it is only with difficulty that they can continue their work for the Lord. Please pray about this and if the Lord leads you to give, contact our office for details of what you can do.

For the past 20 years ACM has been organising mission trips to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh. These trips are never for sightseeing but as we visit villages, we cannot avoid seeing a rich history which goes back to when Armenia accepted Christianity in 301AD. And Mount Ararat is always in the background as we travel. We see many historical sites, share the local food, and visit some of the oldest church buildings in the world. When visiting Armenia we feel safe among the people because they are very hospitable. Over one million visitors come each year for its unique culture, food, historical sights and natural beauty.

Our main reason for visiting is to have fellowship with believers and to evangelise and spread the love of Jesus, and the good news of salvation, fully aware that for 80 years this Christian nation was deprived of the Gospel by the communists. The Lord has opened a wide door for us which we want to take advantage of. We work with many churches, preaching and teaching freely among adults, youth and children each time we visit.

Highlights include hearing the testimony of believers about how the Lord reaches them in time of need, meeting local pastors, visiting the sick and praying for them, and distributing donated goods from Australia. We visit needy families, seeing how the poor survive in temperatures which are sometimes below -30 degrees. We have a picnic with the 90 needy families we support; over 200 people attend. Mission team members also look forward to a time of prayer fellowship and devotions over breakfast within the comfort of the CEF building,

Gyumri is one of the largest cities in Armenia. The 1988 earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 destroyed almost half a million buildings and killed 60,000 people. Still today there are people who make their home in one of over 7000 containers. In Gyumri, ACM has the Cornerstone Chapel which is used for Gospel outreach. Your prayers are greatly needed.

ACM has been burdened with the work and the scale of the ministry, and needs your support and prayer. Armenia needs mature Christians to come and be blessed and be a blessing and encouragement to many. Many who join us become regular visitors. We are blessed by the wonderful work the Lord is doing in a country half the size of Tasmania, with a population of almost 3,000,000. 20% of the population is below 15 years of age, and 30% of the population lives below the poverty line.

Our next mission team is planned for September 2020. If you are interested and if the Lord is calling you please write to info@acmaust.org. No visa is needed. Even washing is taken care of and a bus is always there to take us where we are going.