First Armenian Congregation in NAD Officially Recognized as a Company
This past February, the Armenian congregation in Glendale, Calif., made history as the first Armenian-speaking Adventist congregation officially organized in the Western hemisphere.
Los Angeles is home to the largest population of Armenians in the United States, with more than 40 percent of the 200,000-plus people in Glendale claiming Armenian ancestry.
The organizational service highlighted the rich history and dedicated mission behind this congregation. Throughout the celebratory event, tributes were shared about their important work in the Armenian community as well as the historical foundation of that work. Three new members also joined the company by baptism during the program.
The group started meeting at the Hollywood church in 1977. For the past 40 years, the group has met at Glendale City church. Vigen Khachatryan joined the congregation as its leader in 2017 and has led the congregation in tremendous growth through online ministry during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Loma Linda Thai Church Serves Community
At the Loma Linda Thai church, Pastor Cris Manlongat and his church members are in the process of developing a food distribution program they started in 2020. Currently, they serve 5,000 pounds of food every week.
Their efforts have grown over the months, and so have their friendships with local residents who have volunteered to take part in the outreach. Love is at the heart of what motivates the pastor and his team. “There is ongoing hate toward the Asian community,” Pastor Manlongat said. “We want neighbors to know that we are here to make a good impact on the community and be good neighbors. This is a peaceful way, an intentional way of making a good impact.”
Well done, Loma Linda Thai church!
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Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Asian American and Pacific Islander (or AAPI) Heritage Month is observed annually in May to celebrate the contributions that generations of AAPIs have made to American history, society, and culture.
The theme for the observance of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year is Advancing Leaders Through Purpose-Driven Service.
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Asian-Pacific Ministries in the Pacific Union Conference
Asian-Pacific Ministries at the Pacific Union Conference works with the seven local conference coordinators and group representatives in serving 25 language groups and supporting the outreach, ministry, and growth of the Asian-Pacific churches throughout the Pacific Southwest. The department coordinates its pastoral and lay training through the Pacific Institute of Christian Ministry, oversees various annual evangelistic meetings and other special events within these churches, fosters unity and fellowship, and provides mentoring and financial assistance to all Asian-Pacific congregations in the Pacific Union to enhance their outreach and nurture ministries.
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Pacific Institute of Christian Ministry
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May 2021 Recorder
If you haven’t read the May Recorder yet, there are two ways to do it: read the one that reached your homes earlier this month or read it online at adventistfaith.com. This cover is one of my favorites—a student from Holbrook Indian School tending to the garden. Just look at that smile! Holbrook Indian School celebrates their 75th year of serving Native American children this year. We are so proud of the staff and students at this one-of-a-kind school in our Pacific Union.
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The schools and churches in our union continue their tradition of excellence in love and service. Throughout the pandemic, and even now as we are re-calibrating and preparing for more in-person education and worship experiences, teachers and pastors are adapting to the new “normal.”
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
– Colossians 3:15-17 (ESV)
