AMAA Buys Property For Armenian Evangelical Church In Brussels, Belgium

(L to R) Rev. Sarkis Pachaian of the Armenian Evangelical Church of Brussels, Rev. Joel Mikaelian, President of the Armenian Evangelical Union of France, Fred Simonian, AMAA Board Member, Andy Torigian, Executive Director of the AMAA, next to the newly purchased property and building on their left.

In 1989, the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) established the Armenian Evangelical Fellowship of Brussels, Belgium, to meet the spiritual needs of the local Armenians as well as immigrants from Anatolia, Turkey.  The fellowship was later organized as a church with the support of the AMAA and was placed under the care of the Armenian Evangelical Union of France.  Mr. Sarkis Pachaian, a young Christian from Turkey, was identified as a potential leader.  He was encouraged to attend a Seminary in order to take charge of the pastoral leadership of the congregation.  He graduated in 1991.

The Armenian Evangelical Church of Brussels was officially founded on May 28, 1991, and was sponsored by the AMAA and the Armenian Evangelical Union of France.  The church did not own a sanctuary.  Worship services were held first in homes and later in rented church buildings.  As of 1990, Armenians from Armenia emigrated to Belgium, thus opening new doors for ministry.  A fellowship for Armenian-speaking immigrants was established.  Soon the ministry in Belgium spread to seven areas including Brussels, Liege, Antwerp, Mechelen, Hasselt and also in neighboring countries with large Armenian-immigrant communities.  The church strives to spread the good news of the Gospel to Armenians who are in need of the Word of God.  In April of 2001, Rev. Sarkis Pachaian was ordained and now is the minister of the Armenian Evangelical Church of Brussels.  He has capable assistants and lay leaders who help in the ministry of Belgium.  With the expansion of the work in Belgium and areas in Holland and Germany, it was necessary to have a permanent facility in Brussels.  For the last two years, both the church and AMAA strived to find an adequate property.  We thank God that one such property was identified in Brussels.  An old chapel in Brussels was located on Rue Du Heysel, 20, Brussels, Belgium.  Andy Torigian, Executive Director of the AMAA, traveled to Brussels and consummated the purchase of this property in June of 2009.  Funding for the purchase was provided by the AMAA.

The building needs renovation and rooms for Sunday School and youth activities at a cost of over 250,000 Euros.  To fund this project, the church has embarked on a special Fundraising Campaign to the local community and they also appeal to all concerned Christians worldwide.  Donations to support the ministry in Belgium will be appreciated and can be channeled through the AMAA.  Those who are interested can contact the AMAA office at 201-265-2607.