Open Letter 05

Website of the St. Peter Armenian Church Youth Ministries' Center and the In His Shoes Mission

 

 

An Open Letter to our Friends & Prayer Partners

Dear Friends of our Youth Ministries,
I write this letter because I know you've contributed to our Youth Ministries for reasons more than a mere tax deduction. You've donated because you believe in a vision which extends to each and every one of our young people. You've donated because you know the power God can have in the lives of people, especially the youth.
During the past year we dedicated our Youth Ministries' Center in the name of the blessed Apostle St. Peter. It serves as a church and a center for all. We have traditional Armenian Church services on Sunday mornings and activities throughout the week. We went through some other superficial changes, but we came out on top committed to our calling to the youth.
By the Grace of God our ministry is reaching out to those with great needs. Nestled in the heart of Glendale, California, our center has become a beacon of hope to a community and world that is searching for love, peace and direction. Our Sunday services are attended to capacity by families seeking the answers to life's most fundamental questions. Our Bible Study programs are the cornerstone to our educational services from bi-lingual classes for adults to exercises in faith through our Sunday School program teaching our youngest generation about respect for life and living with purpose according to God's will. Our programs are growing. We offer counseling, mentoring and tutoring services for the youth.
We're meeting the call to evangelize through weekly television broadcasts, newsprint, art, publications, internet broadcasts, campus ministry and of course, through our web site, hyeyouth.com, where you can find details about all of the happenings in our church and center.
Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Luke 10:2)
Most importantly, we're seeing a new generation which is awake to their responsibility as Armenian Christians. The newly formed mission of our ministry, In His Shoes, is challenging young and old to walk “in the shoes” of the hungry, lonely, deprived and suffering. It's our young peoples' answer to the bloody history of the Armenian people. This new generation is answering evil according to the prescription given to them by Jesus Christ, with love and blessings. They have organized local feeds for the homeless, support drives for hospitalized patients and toy drives for kids in shelters. On a larger scale, through prayer and fasting they have raised awareness and collected close to $100,000 for world hunger. They have focused their attention and efforts to the grave situation of Genocide in Darfur and the catastrophic earthquake/tsunami in Asia. I know that God is working through these young people who now find the strength and courage, as only God can give, to walk in the shoes of the suffering and oppressed.
It seems like I can continue forever about our youth. I'm very proud of them. Even more, I'm thankful that God has given us this opportunity to work and grow as a community. I cannot think of anything more important than having this new generation understand their responsibility to themselves and to their world, as Armenian Christians. I wanted to share my excitement with you because it signals a new beginning for us and I'm appreciative of your confidence and participation in our ministries. Thanks for believing in our youth!
Please pray for us. Our challenges are many and come on a daily basis. We are always open and eager to have you join us for our many programs. I pray that God grant you health and happiness into the New Year. I look forward to your continued participation through the Youth Ministries' Center. May the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always.
Prayerfully,
Fr. Vazken Movsesian

 

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All Content Copyright © 2005 Fr. Vazken Movsesian and In His Shoes, Intnl.