States News Service
October 22, 2009 Thursday
FIRST-EVER STUDY TOUR RAISES AWARENESS OF JINISHIAN MEMORIAL PROGRAM
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky
The following information was released by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.):
The Jinishian Memorial Program (JMP), a unique ministry of the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), conducted an inaugural study tour of
Armenia the first country to declare Christianity as the nations
religion from Sept. 13-24.
JMP is dedicated to improving the lives of people of Armenian descent
and enables Armenians in need to move from poverty and despair to
self-sufficiency and hope through relief, development and spiritual
uplift. The tour raised awareness of JMPs ecumenical work and sought
to inspire people to become advocates and supporters for the program
in Armenia.
The program emphasizes a self-help approach and is directly involved
in community-based development, delivery of social services and relief
projects for thousands of Armenians. Projects include vocational
training, micro-loans and community health development.
Study tour participants saw JMP projects in action and had the
opportunity to meet program beneficiaries and partner organizations,
in addition to learning about Armenian history, culture and politics,
the global economy and socio-economic problems in Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh.
One participant of the tour, Mary Pendleton of Virginia, described the
essence of the JMP as ecumenical, sustainable, multi-party focused.
She noted that JMP used engagement and support to achieve goals and
then asked those who benefited from assistance to re-engage and give
back.
Another study tour is planned in 2010. To learn more, visit the
Jinishian Memorial Program’s Web site or contact Sara Todd, program
manager by email or at (888) 728-7228, extension 5291.
Jinishian Memorial Program was endowed in 1966 by Vartan H. Jinishian,
who was born in Turkey of Armenian parents and emigrated to America in
the early 20th century. He was a member of both the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.) and the Armenian Evangelical Church.