The posthumous publication of The Armenian Evangelical Church 2000 may be best described as Rev. Movses Janbazian's final testament of stewardship and closing testimony of Christian witness.

Newly released by the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) and compiled by its late, beloved executive director, the Rev. Movses B. Janbazian, the book proved to be his last accomplishment.

Timed for the new millennium, this volume was viewed by Rev. Janbazian as a current inventory of Armenian Evangelical churches worldwide. The well-illustrated and handsomely cloth-bound reference book provides concise, past-to-present perspectives of 84 Armenian Evangelical congregations and their pastors, and represents most of today's churches in 18 different countries. Rev. Janbazian humorously dubbed it a "snapshot" of the Armenian Evangelical Church family in the year 2000.

The genesis of this book is of special interest, as recounted by the AMAA's capable office manager, Dikran Youmshakian. He informs that Badveli Janbazian conceived of the idea ten years ago but illnesses interfered with two deadlines. Most significantly, one was the 150th anniversary of the Armenian Evangelical Church in 1996.

More recently, beyond his myriad complex responsibilities, Rev. Janbazian resumed the project and personally supervised its entirety, from drafts to design. On Monday morning, September 25, having painstakingly reviewed the final galley proofs, he turned to his printer with a broad smile and said, "Print it!"

But he would not see his finished brainchild. Rev. Movses Janbazian died that same day, succumbing to a heart disorder at age 55.

In calm retrospect, one may muse that this book is a fitting, climactic chapter in the rich legacy of the Rev. Janbazian. Typical of his Christian ministry, The Armenian Evangelical Church 2000 is both substantive and easily understood. It is a valuable reference that belongs in every home and church library.

As a compelling sample, this reporter respectfully urges you to read the following excerpts from the book's incisive introduction written by the compassionate visionary himself, Movses Janbazian:

"The Armenian Evangelical Church was established by a small group of spiritually awakened Armenian Christian believers under challenging conditions. Its founders were misunderstood by the religious authorities of their times and were, in fact, persecuted and expelled from the fellowship of their Mother Church. They were left with no option but to declare their freedom in Jesus Christ, and establish, on July 1, 1846, an independent church in Constantinople (Istanbul).

"During its formative period, the new church was helped by American and European missionaries who were instrumental in translating the Bible into vernacular Armenian, developing and disseminating Christian literature, and establishing educational institutions.

"The Genocide perpetrated by the Turks in 1915 was a disaster for Armenians of all creeds. Just like their Apostolic and Catholic kin, Evangelical Armenians living under Turkish rule lost their homes, churches and, in most Cases, their lives. The Sovietization of Armenia and persecution of Armenian Christians left no more than 50 Armenian Evangelical churches in the world by the early l920s.

"The Armenian Evangelical Church quickly spread to Armenian communities throughout Anatolia, Syria, Armenia, Karabagh, Georgia, and other regions. By the early 1900s, there were 140 or more Armenian Evangelical churches with 55,000 adherents.

"Those who survived the Genocide settled elsewhere, and slowly rebuilt their lives, institutions and churches in the countries where they had found refuge. After the dismemberment of the Soviet Union and the establishment of the Republic of Armenia, the Evangelical believers emerged from their underground existence and organized themselves as active churches and fellowships in their new independent and democratic hairenik.

"Today, wherever there are substantial Armenian communities, there are Armenian Evangelical churches, schools, publications, and mission and service organizations ministering to all Armenians without discrimination.

"Over the years, the old animosity between the Armenian Apostolic and Evangelical churches dissipated. Now both churches relate to each other with respect. In an unprecedented public display of Christian love and fellowship, the late Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin I of blessed memory, and the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, His Holiness Aram I, issued separate Words of Blessings congratulating Armenian Evangelicals for their outstanding spiritual, educational and philanthropic services to the Armenian people. The commendatory statements by the two Catholicoi represented history-making pronouncements, recognizing the Armenian Evangelical church as an integral part of Armenian Christianity, and embracing Armenian Evangelicals as brothers and sisters in Christ.

"The beginning of a new century also offers an appropriate occasion for introspection. What is the current status of the Armenian Evangelical church? To what degree has it retained its original distinctive evangelical traits and zeal? What specific areas need reformation? Can the Armenian Apostolic and Evangelical churches develop significant mission partnerships to reach greater numbers of people in Armenia and elsewhere? How can the Armenian Evangelical Church make its witness faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and yet be relevant to the time and place where it is called to live?

"The effectiveness of the life and witness of the Armenian Evangelical Church in the new century will depend on how Armenian Evangelicals answer these crucial questions."

Media, PA

[Copies of this unique publication (125 pp. 9" by 11", with over 300 pictures and a directory of Armenian Evangelical ministers worldwide) can be obtained from the AMAA Headquarters at 31 West Century Road, Paramus, NJ 07652, or by calling (201) 265-2607. The cost of each copy is $50.00].