The Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA) Seniors from across the Eastern Diocese just returned from the fourth annual ACYOA Seniors Mission Trip. The ACYOA Central Council partnered with Habitat for Humanity of North Central Georgia and the Armenian Church of Atlanta Mission Parish in Roswell, GA the weekend of February 20-23, 2025. The Mission Trip was underwritten by a grant from the Dadourian Foundation and funds from the ACYOA Central Council, which covered the participants’ lodging, ground transportation, meals, and donation fees to participate in a Habitat for Humanity house build.
Nineteen young adults, ranging from college students to working professionals, participated in the trip and were immersed in service, education, witness, worship, and fellowship. They traveled from nine states (Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin), representing twelve parish communities of the Eastern Diocese. They were joined by group leader Rev. Fr. Yeprem Kelegian, along with Jennifer Morris of the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries.
The group arrived in Roswell, GA on Thursday evening. Early Friday morning, Fr. Yeprem Kelegian led the participants in prayer and reflection before the group took off for Canton, GA, the site of the Habitat for Humanity house build. After meeting the Habitat for Humanity staff and acclimating themselves to the tasks ahead, the group got right to work – eager to lend a hand for two full work days as they installed windows, doors, and siding while also prepping materials for future volunteers.
After a full first day on the worksite, the participants spent the evening at “Hye Doon” engaging in worship and fellowship with the community members. Fr. Yeprem led those gathered in a Vespers service. After the service, the young adults provided and served dinner to parishioners and spent time in fellowship playing cards, chess, and tavloo and getting to know the parishioners.
On Saturday their work on the Habitat for Humanity worksite was especially meaningful as participants worked alongside the future homeowner. Two-time participant, Cynthia Panthier of St. Gregory the Illuminator in Chicago, IL, reflected on her experience and said “When someone else’s happiness becomes yours, that’s love. That’s what we all gave to each other and to the community as God’s grace shined down on us. We all shared in serving others.”
In the evening the group split up and visited three homes of parishioners from the Atlanta Mission Parish. The participants entered their homes as strangers and left feeling like family, sharing life stories and spending time getting to know each other. Participants gathered back at their hotel together and participated in another late night of engaging group discussions that provided space for the participants to be vulnerable and grow deeper in their faith and prayer life. Lara Varjabedian from Holy Trinity in Cambridge, MA reflected on her experience by saying, “I haven’t felt this kind of joy in a group setting in a while. I enjoyed the feeling of God restoring the joy I felt when I went on a similar trip to Armenia many years ago.”
The trip concluded on Sunday as the group participated in the Divine Liturgy, celebrated by Fr. Yeprem Kelegian. After Liturgy, Jennifer Morris of the Diocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries thanked the parish leaders and briefly spoke about ways community members can benefit from the ministries and programs of the ACYOA and Diocesan Summer Camp programs, St. Vartan Camp and Hye Camp. Fr Yeprem shared, “I was greatly impressed by this group. They came together with joy, love, and enthusiasm to serve the Armenian Church and the world outside of the church. They were truly the Body of Christ.” After a closing fellowship meal and parting conversations with members of the parish community, the group said their tearful goodbyes until the next time they can be together again at future national and regional ACYOA programs and ministries.
For photos from the 2025 ACYOA Seniors Mission Trip, view a gallery here.
Follow @ACYOA on Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date on upcoming events, or subscribe to their email newsletter by visiting www.acyoa.org. Feel free to contact Jennifer Morris at jenniferm@armeniandiocese.org or (248) 648-0702 for additional information or questions.