August 9, 2021
Yerevan, Armenia is a city of over 1 million residents. WEI has over 1000 Internet students in that city. It was decided in early 2020 that we would host a reception for some of our serious Bible students in Yerevan. We call this the “WEI Reception Model.”
Four teachers traveled with me to Yerevan to meet the students at the reception and offer free one to one private Bible studies everyday for two weeks. Adam Dollen, Gary Aragon, Ryan Campbell and Paulo Ros remained in Yerevan after the reception to study with the interested students. An Armenian preacher serving in Ukraine and his brother also expressed an interest to follow up on our teaching in the hopes of one day establishing an active bride of Christ in the city.
The reception was well attended by a room full of smiling and grateful students. They all expressed their gratitude and love for their WEI Internet teachers. Many times, they told me how their Internet teachers were so patient and kind in helping them with their English skills, and how interesting the WEI reading assignment Bible lessons are. Almost all of them signed up for subsequent one to one private Bible classes. The teachers were busy every day sowing the seed of God’s word and the kingdom message. They reported great success in this initial endeavor.
One sweet lady did not want to delay becoming a member of God’s kingdom even though she would be alone, hopefully only for a short time. She was immersed in the waters of baptism by her teacher, Brother Gary Aragon. Other WEI students were very interested in becoming Christians as well.
The decision was made to return in November 2021 and host another WEI Reception in Yerevan followed by more one to one studies. In the meantime, a missionary family contacted me, and they are considering locating there long term. We hope and pray and know that God will give the increase if we simply keep sowing. We will be targeting Yerevan with WEI student advertising in the coming months in preparation for our return in November.
Ryan Campbell wrote:
Our time in Yerevan was sweet indeed. Seeing Gohaz being immersed, washed in the blood, was wonderful. In fact, I was studying with a young college student also named Gohaz and she said she was close to being buried in the waters of baptism as well, but she needed more time to think it over. Also, she wants her dad to be present at her baptism, but he was out of the country during our time serving in Armenia. She gave me lots of hope that she would be ready to obey the gospel when we come back in November.
I also studied with another young college student named Alva. Alva also believed, but hadn’t been baptized, yet. She claimed she needed more time to think over counting the cost. I sincerely believe that young Gohaz and her friend, Alva, are very close to the kingdom. Our trip back to Yerevan in November could very well see them both baptized.
Please keep the people of Armenia and this effort in Yerevan in your prayers. The Armenians are beautiful, kind, and humble children of God. The greatest of all kingdoms needs a strong presence there. If we faithfully sow the seed, somehow God will give the increase. We believe that.
