It was upon Armenian soil the first Christian nation was founded over 1,700 years ago.  The Armenian church, with its rich theological history, is intertwined with Armenian identity, steeped within the culture of its people.  Hospitable and generous, Armenians have carved a life rich in art, story, and community in the rugged mountains and fertile, volcanic valleys of western Asia.

Since gaining independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991, Armenia has successfully adapted to privatized business, stable agriculture, and a democratic government.  Conflict arose in 1988 when the Nagorno-Karabakh, a mostly Armenian commune within the neighboring country of Azerbaijan, voted to secede and join Armenia. This act was the spark that ignited the neighboring countries into armed conflict that has taken over 30,000 lives. Though now in a cease fire, the issue has prompted Azerbaijan to enact an economic embargo between the two countries which has negatively affected Armenia’s trade, making imported fuel and food more costly.  Turkey, another neighboring country, has also refused to take responsibility for a genocide that took the lives of over 1 million Armenians between 1915 and 1917.  This disagreement has created strained relations between the two nations and has hindered Armenian growth and development.

Though Armenia has a strong connection with Christian history, Bible reading is rare.  However, a newly translated Bible has been released which is hoped to reignite the spiritual fire of the Armenian people.  The Armenian Evangelical Church and Baptists have begun to grow in numbers alongside the Orthodox denomination, and they pray that forgiveness between Armenia and Turkey will be achieved as well as finding a solution with Azerbaijan that will allow both sides of the conflict to find peace and reconciliation through the grace of Christ.