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It’s HERE!!!!

February 9, 2012

We have anxiously been waiting for the translation of “God’s Workshop” and it is ready for printing.

How exciting. Here’s a sneak peek of what the book cover looks like.

We thank God for the hard work of the team at the local Campus Crusade for Christ International staff in Yerevan.

God’s Workshop Update

January 29, 2012

The translation and production of Pastor Joseph Hovsepian’s book, God’s Workshop, in Armenian is almost complete! The brethren there are eager to have the book in their hands so please pray that the final stages of design, proofreading and printing will go well.

One of the endorsements that will appear on the back cover of the book is by Vardan Bibulyan, the team leader of Campus Crusade for Christ in Armenia. He writes:

Now that Yerevan has been declared the national capital of books, it is a great joy to see among all the other books Hovsep Hovsepian’s Asdedzo Aresdanotse (God’s Workshop) on the bookshelves of Armenian readers. The book’s short and clear messages help the reader to better understand the Word of God and evaluate their Christian attitude and life.

This book will take the reader into God’s workshop where the Holy Spirit, using these God-breathed messages will revive the reader. I congratulate Hovsep Hovsepian on his first Armenian book publication and I wish for a victorious journey.

This book will be given out for free in Armenia and surrounding countries because the poverty of the general population would prohibit them from purchasing copies – and we really want to put the book into as many hands as possible.

If you would like to support this endeavour, please speak with Pastor Joseph or make a special donation to “Armenia – Books”.

Testamonies From Armenia

January 9, 2012
His Child Forever
By Sveta Mazmanyan (from Spitak)
“The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” (Psalm 145:9)
I’ve been a believer for the past 30 years. The Lord has been my hope and my happiness. I have seen many miracles and experienced many blessings in my life. The fact that I’m alive is only for the glory of God.
On September 17, 2011, in Spitak at Tapalu River, 24 sisters and brothers were gathered to be baptized. When I saw them coming toward us all dressed in white, I could also see the Lord Jesus coming, alive and real, with His arms open. I was so filled with joy that I thought I was in heaven.
Thirty years ago, when I repented, I saw the same thing: that Jesus was coming toward me with open arms. Since that day I live for my Lord to bring lost souls to the Lord to repent from their sins. I am His child forever.
Saved By the Name of Jesus
By Levson Sharbatyan (from Stepanavan)
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Acts 2:21)
Levson (right)
A few days ago we decided to go to the forest with my two horses and buggy to bring wood for the winter. We loaded as much wood as my buggy could hold. On our way back, it started snowing unexpectedly and the road became very dangerous. 
 
My friends, who are unbelievers, were afraid and started complaining. We were travelling very slowly toward the village. We arrived at a crossing where it was impossible to go through. The horses and the buggy started sliding toward the ditch and we could not see a way out.
My friends all cried out from fear but I called out the name of the Lord Jesus and a miracle happened. Just a metre away from the ditch, somehow the horses started running straight and got away from the danger. Farther away we stopped and looked at each other in amazement. I told them that the name of Jesus saved us.
We praised the Lord for bringing us safely to our village. We told everyone in the village of the miracle that was done though His name. I believe in His Name who is my God and my Lord.

Update from Arayik & Nelli

December 29, 2011

This excerpt is taken from the December 2011 Temple News.

Yerevan, ARMENIA
[Early November] I wish we could communicate daily. There are so many things I would like to share with you about the work here.


Pastor Joseph & Arayik



Many new believers in Spitak and Stepanavan have been pleading and even insisting to be baptized, asking me why they were not baptized before; they were actually hurt. I told them they will be baptized next year. And now there are some young people who came from Russia and they want to be baptized. Those who were baptized [in September] have been sharing with others and telling them about their experiences and how God is blessing them, so now many others want to make that commitment and be baptized. Well, we will see what is the will of our Lord.
I made many copies of the DVD of the baptismal service (when you were here) and I am giving them to the people. The response has been so great.
I want to give you a very special thank you from me and from all the believers here for your guidance and the baptismal service while you were here; they all are shaken by that event. All those whom you met here in Armenia send you their greetings. Those whom you visited send you their greetings.
Brother Joseph, the 50,000 tracts have been distributed already to churches and individuals. All the brethren are very happy to distribute them. They love them. I believe we must print more, that is, if you are willing.
Snow has already come here and it is very difficult in the winter to go to Spitak and other villages without snow tires. I was in Spitak the other day and I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to return home. But with God’s help we safely arrived home the next day. I have a request, Brother Joseph. Can anyone help us purchase snow tires? Without them I am afraid I won’t be able to go to Spitak and Stepanavan.
May God’s peace and blessings be on you all. Please give my greetings to the brethren in your church. We are always praying for you.
[Late November] First and foremost, I thank those who sent money to help us purchase snow tires. May the Lord bless them.
I went to Stepanavan and Spitak November 8 to 10. We had worshipful fellowship at both places. Those who were baptized recently and those who had been baptized earlier participated in a communion service.
In Spitak, I visited a family that was baptized this year in Jrashen village. While visiting this family, their uncle, named Hrach, 50 years old, was visiting them. When he heard that we were believers, he started talking against all believers. While he was talking, I was praying silently for him.
For the next forty minutes I talked to him about the deliverance of our Saviour Jesus Christ. He said, “I want to be a believer like you.” After ten minutes, with tears running down his cheeks, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Saviour and he said, “Peace came over me.” I gave him the Bible and he promised that he will read the Word and will change his way of life. Please pray for this young believer. Thank you.
Beloved, all our believers send their greetings. May God richly bless you. We miss you and are always praying for you.
Arayik and Nelli S.

Spreading God’s Word in Armenia

December 23, 2011
Khor Virap Monastery
Recently, we reported about increasing restrictions on evangelizing and witnessing in Armenia. Despite opposition, believers there are eager and courageous in sharing their faith.
What’s exciting for us at Temple Baptist Church is the opportunity to be part of the spreading of the gospel in Armenia. Thanks to the support, generosity and prayers of our members and friends, we have been able to help some of the believers, churches and workers there. But there is much more to be done!

As you know, about 60,000 tracts have been printed and distributed and we are now nearing the completion of having Pastor Joseph Hovsepian’s book, God’s Workshop, translated into Eastern Armenian. Once that is done, 5,000 copies will be printed and given out freely in Armenia, Iran and other surrounding countries with Armenian communities.

It will cost about $12,000 to produce these books (including translation, editing, design, printing, etc.) but the books will not be sold because most of the people who will receive a copy cannot afford to buy literature and we want the books to reach as many people as possible, without placeing a potential limitation in their way.

If you would like to help with this expense, you can make a special donation and designate it as “Armenia: Books”. To all those who sponsor this project, Project Joseph would like to offer a copy of the DVD about the mission trip to Armenia.

reported by Ann-Margret Hovsepian

Mission to Armenia

November 1, 2011

By Pastor Joseph Hovsepian

In 2008, after my wife and I went to Armenia, I had no thoughts of returning three years later. I also did not think that God could and would use me in any meaningful way in Armenia; or at least I didn’t think I was qualified enough. I used excuses similar to the ones Moses used: I am not young anymore, I don’t speak Eastern Armenian well, I am the pastor of an English-speaking congregation, I… I… I… etc. But God had other plans for me and for my daughter Ruth.
When I visited Armenia in 2008, I wanted to go to villages and towns and meet the forgotten and needy people, and I did. I developed a relationship with many of the people I met through Arayik Sardaryan, a missionary who continued visiting and meeting with these people regularly, helping them grow spiritually and keeping us informed here at Temple Baptist Church, now supporting him regularly so he could continue his mission work among them.
Three years, many prayers, and many phone calls and e-mails later, I felt God’s call to return to Armenia for another visit, but I still hesitated until I got a phone call from Arayik asking me to go back. He said that at least 24 people wanted to be baptized, some in Spitak, others in Stepanavan and Yerevan.
He also told me there were new cell groups being started and the outreach was extending outside Armenia. So I decided to return with my elder daughter Ruth so she could help me and also see the mission we have been supporting.
On September 13, we left Montreal and arrived in Yerevan almost a day later. The next morning we started visiting some of the people that I had visited in 2008, as well as some relatives. While visiting some poor and sick people, Ruth said: “Dad, Ann-Margret [her sister] should have been here with you. She is the writer; she could have written a book about the people here.”
But God had sent the two of us there and we had a mission. Our mission was to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to as many as we could and also to encourage and help the leaders who have so much work to do but so few to help them.
Before I left Montreal some people gave generous donations to help the poor and needy, as well as the missionary and the church we support there. All the expenses for the mission trip, the help given, and the Bibles that were purchased (about 300) were paid by private funds and gifts; these expenses did not tap into the church’s Missions budget, which supports three overseas missions: Bangladesh, Philippines and Armenia.
On Saturday, September 17, we left our hotel early in the morning for the baptismal service in Spitak. It was planned for 1 p.m. but when we arrived there it was already 2 p.m. While we tried to find the river and a suitable spot to have the baptismal service, Arayik went to Stepanavan to bring others. He had to travel through rocky roads for over two hours. In the meantime, 24 of us were crammed like sardines in a small van made for 8 to 13 people. I believe the many prayers for us were answered!
Finally, at 5 p.m. the service started with a short message. The water, flowing down from the mountains, was very cold and there was a strong and muddy current, but God was in control and Arayik and I were able to baptize 24 people. Afterward, there was another message, we had communion, and we gave a New Testament and a small golden cross pin to each person who was baptized. There were suppose to be 30 people baptized but one was giving birth that day and the others could not be brought because of lack of transportation from their villages. 
We ended the special day with supper — a fire was lit to barbecue the chicken legs I had purchased in Yerevan — and fellowship. By the time we had supper and travelled another three or four hours back to the hotel, it was almost 2:30 am. I had to speak at a Baptist church that same morning but I could not fall asleep. A few hours later we were ready for church.

After my message at the Baptist church I gave an invitation and a few women came forward to accept Jesus as their Lord. There were many wonderful miracles we witnessed that would take a great number of pages to share with you; but I will share a few.
My parents had prayed for years for their relatives who had immigrated to Armenia in the 1940s. They had shared the gospel with them but had not seen any obvious results. Their prayers were answered about 70 years later when Ruth and I and Arayik visited one of the families and shared the good news of Jesus Christ with them.
The parents, their son and one of their daughters, Shushan, (the other wasn’t present) prayed and surrendered their lives to God and made Jesus Christ their Lord. (See page 3 for Shushan’s letter.) The other daughter who hadn’t been there came forward at the church service the following Sunday when I gave an altar call after my message. There were other cousins who indicated to me that day that they also had committed their lives to Christ.
I had the privilege to give a lecture at the CLC (Christian Leadership College) to about 50 leaders and pastors. The title of my message was “The Cost of Serving Christ.”
I was asked if it was possible to have our tract, What Are You Searching For?, in Eastern Armenian reprinted in Armenia with some small changes. I immediately went with Arayik to a printing house, had the changes made, had 50,000 printed within a few days. We may need to print more soon.
I was told that they would like to have my book, God’s Workshop, translated and printed in Eastern Armenian. I agreed and, with the help of some Campus Crusade workers and Pastor Hovhannes Halladjian, the Pastor of the Armenian Brotherhood Church of Yerevan, the book is almost ready to be printed and will be available for distribution free of charge (with donations toward the cost being welcomed).
More than 300 Bibles were purchased, distributed or given to our missionary and to ABCY for distribution.
Because of the difficult economic   conditions in Armenia, the Bibles and the book God’s Workshop are being given free. But the costs are high. If you would like to help us by buying one or many books for the people in Armenia, please let us know how many you would like to purchase or pay for. In Canada, the book sold for $16.95. The cost in Armenia is about $5.00. For more information, please speak or write to us.
Donate Now Through CanadaHelps.org!

God’s Workshop

October 24, 2011
The devotional book God’s Workshop was written by Pastor Joseph in 2001. The book is a result of his daily radio program Good News on WCHP 760 AM.

For Pastor Joseph the pulpit is not the only tool in God’s Workshop. This devotional book brings together years of insight gained and shared from Pastor Joseph’s full-time business, his church work and radio ministry.

While in Armenia it was suggested that the book be translated into Eastern Armenian. The wheels started to turn and inquiries were made about translators and printers. This is a book that can be used as a witnessing tool and for pastors to study.

At the home of a Christian brother Pastor Joseph met a member of the local Campus Crusade for Christ International staff, Artur Mantashian. Pastor Joseph gave a copy of the book to Artur and the conversation turned to the translation and printing of God’s Workshop. Artur suggested that CCCI translators work on the book and for CCCI to then print the book.
This is how God works. Things are always better in God’s time.

As I write this the translators have made huge progress and it is so exciting to see this project take off so quickly.

If you are interested in making a contribution to the cost of translation, printing and distribution of this book you can do so through Donations Canada.

The cost of translating and printing one book is about $5.00 CDN.

Donate Now Through CanadaHelps.org! 

New Beginnings

October 12, 2011
Good News Ministries has translated and printed “What Are You Searching For?” into eleven languages and will continue to do so as the requests come in for other languages. As of today we have the following translations available:
We are grateful to our long standing partner Evangelical Tract Distributors who print and distribute “What Are You Searching For?” worldwide. The tracts are free they only ask for donations but the cost of shipping is expensive due to the weight of the tracts.

Before heading to Armenia, dad sent a shipment of tracts and we packed a few hundred into our suitcases to take with us. When we arrived we were told that the shipment of tracts they had received were gone, handed out to the many hungry souls.

The decision was made that a local printer would be used to print Eastern Armenian tracts to eliminate the cost of shipping and instead use that money to print more tracts. Dad and Araik met with a local a printer and spent several hours proof reading and going over the samples that were produced. The print house was very  accomodating and very easy to work with. God was in this plan.

The first printing is done and the tracts are in the hands of the local missionaries and pastors. Praise God!

Please pray for these amazing projects in Armenia. They are hungry to learn. They are searching for the truth.

If you are interested in helping financialy in Armenia or any other mission that we support please contact us at Good News Ministries.
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