Christ Jesus- The Chief Cornerstone of HIS CHURCH
Christ’s great commission: “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.”
1940s - mid 1950s
Founders of Armenian Brethren Church- Vartan Bilezikian, Socrate Amiralian
Vartan was saved at 25 yrs under the ministry of a Swedish evangelist, Fredrick Franson
“Apraham Hoja of Aintab”- a book written by Vartan in his later years tells his story profoundly; it is available online at http://cosmades.org/
He experienced great revivals throughout Armenia but was imprisoned for publicly preaching the Gospel
Following his release from a prison stay for preaching the Gospel he left for the US at age 33
He planned to return to Armenia to preach the Gospel (I.e., as with the early Apostles, the fires of persecution brought an even greater zeal in him to proclaim the Gospel)
In the meantime began preaching and teaching the scriptures in homes of Armenian families & later Dover Street Mission (renamed Union Rescue Mission)
A church is formed leading to the building of a church building in Watertown for $15,000 in 1938 (i.e., when average salaries were only $12/week)
Certain Godly women sold their jewelry to help finance its construction
The Bilezikian family was very instrumental in the construction of the building, esp. electrical needs
Vartan and Socrate focus was always on evangelism and growth in Christ likeness (Spiritual development) - Meetings were held in Armenian and Turkish only, and later English
Leadership in Transition
Mid 1950s- 1960s
2nd Gen leaders decide to conduct services in English only to enable their children to adapt to American culture
Breaking from Brethren tradition the leaders invite a full time pastor to preach the Word in English beginning with Dr. Stuart Lease
1960s - 1970s
A Crossroad Decision- Name change from UABEC to WEC
To better reach the community of non Armenians with the Gospel, a proposal is made
Armenian heritage versus Christian heritage?
At first voted down, it is eventually welcomed and adopted in 1964
Early Pillars of Faith at UABEC- Vahan Terzian, Barkev Amiralian
Vahan was a gifted Bible teacher and organizer of Christian ministries
He took the initiative and received support from Vartan and Socrate to become an elder/minister
Barkev excelled at Church administration and helped organize Children’s Sunday School and ministries for well over a decade
Many Armenian families were faithful in attendance and in ministry: Alajajians, Amiralians, Bilezikians, Chorlians, Ezekielians, Harutunians, Kechadorians, Kechajians, Kricorians, and Terzians, among others
Among the non Armenians who joined WEC between 1960s thru 1980s were: Bruce & Karen Daggett, Jean Fault, Davis Family, Natalie Collela, Paul Capazolli, Steve & Carla St Germain, Gary & Ann Lentel, Bob & Marie Marchessault, Sam & Eileen Meier, Paula Usten, Andre & Julia Wu, among myriad others
Guidance and Growth in Ministry
Twelve pastors have served the church since the departure of the founders to Glory
Originally the primary services were Sunday School and Morning Worship and Prayer Meeting on Wed nights
The first missions conferences took place annually in the 1960s with themes like
- “Go Ye Into All the World and Preach the Gospel”
- “The Night Cometh When No Man Can Work”
From the 1960s onward the church added programs for youth
- Boys Brigade
- Pioneer Girls
- Youth groups
1980s
3rd Gen members, David Terzian and Phil Alajajian are appointed leaders at WEC
Ken Umenhofer serves as first interim pastor for 3 years in 1978
Bruce Daggett begins a tenure of 17 years as pastor of WEC in 1981
Seeking church growth WEC adds the following:
- Small group bible studies
- Nursery
- Dramas
- Choirs
- Praise and Worship Team
Looking Back over 75 years
We see where we have come from and how we got here
We need to reaffirm our commitment to knowing Christ individually and as a Body of believers, walking with Him in the Holy Spirit, and in making Him known by the same Spirit to a lost, fallen world in desperate need of His saving grace.
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