The Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA) held its 6th annual ACYOA Seniors Mission Trip from February 27 to March 1, 2026, in Florida.
The ACYOA Central Council partnered with Habitat for Humanity of St. Augustine/St. Johns County, and St. Nerses Shnorhali Church in Jacksonville, FL, to organize the trip, which brought together 21 young adults aged 18-30 from across the Eastern Diocese, for an immersive weekend of service, education, witness, worship, and fellowship on a Habitat for Humanity building site.
Participants—ranging from college students to working professionals—traveled from nine states (Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, New Jersey, New York, and Wisconsin), representing 11 parish communities of the Eastern Diocese.
They were joined by group leader Fr. Yeprem Kelegian, along with Jennifer Morris of the Diocese’s Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, and Subdeacon Vrej Pilavdjian of St. Nersess Seminary.
Earlier in the week, the group gathered for an online orientation, before arriving in Jacksonville on Thursday evening. Early Friday morning, participants traveled by three minivans to St. Augustine, the site of the Habitat for Humanity build. During the drive, they engaged in morning meditation and discussion in preparation for the work ahead.
Building Alongside Future Homeowners
After meeting with Habitat for Humanity staff and receiving an orientation to the project, the group eagerly began two full days of volunteer work. Participants painted siding, applied caulking, cleaned worksites, moved and organized materials, and raked and prepared yards for sod installation, working alongside future homeowners to help bring their homes closer to completion.
Following a full first day on the worksite, participants went to the parish for an evening of worship and fellowship with members of the local community. Fr. Yeprem led those gathered in a Vespers service, after which the young adults provided and served dinner for parishioners. The evening continued with fellowship, as participants and community members played cards and tavloo while getting to know one another.
Parishioner and Fund for Armenian Relief Board member Carl Bazarian also spoke to the group, sharing his experience during the “Miracle on the Hudson” emergency plane landing in 2009, and reflecting on how prayer sustained him during that life-changing moment.
On Saturday evening, the group divided into smaller groups to visit both a local memory care facility and the home of one of the founding members of the parish community. Participants spent time listening to stories, sharing their own experiences, and building meaningful intergenerational connections.
Each evening concluded with late-night group discussions in the hotel meeting room. These conversations provided participants with space for reflection, vulnerability, and deeper growth in their faith and prayer life.
“This trip ties together service and community to impact a mission even greater than our own,” said two-time participant Kirsten Bauer of the Atlanta Mission Parish. “It brought together so many wonderful people from all over to create a community—truly our own ‘church’—as we worked together and showed each other the love of Christ.”
The trip concluded on Sunday as the group participated in the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Fr. Yeprem Kelegian. Following the service, Jennifer Morris of the Diocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries thanked parish leaders for welcoming the group with such warmth, and shared ways that the community members could participate in the ministries and programs of the ACYOA, as well as the Diocesan summer camp programs, St. Vartan Camp and Hye Camp.
Ready to Fulfill God’s Purpose
ACYOA Central Council vice chair Alisha Panthier reflected on the experience, noting: “The mission trip was my favorite ACYOA experience! Service, faith, and friendship were at the core of the trip for me. Being able to disconnect allowed for calmness and tranquility to fulfill me. The Jacksonville Armenian community was beyond welcoming, heartwarming, and strong. Working hand in hand with the individuals whose homes we helped build, learning their stories, and getting to be a part of their journey was enriching. Deep bonds were created, and I will forever be grateful.”
Fr. Yeprem added: “I am always deeply moved by the depth, wisdom, and goodness of the young adults who sacrifice to be on this trip. No one comes expecting enjoyment, but rather ready to fulfill the purpose that God has planted in them—thus making their joy complete.”
The mission trip was made possible through a generous grant from the Dadourian Foundation and additional support from the ACYOA Central Council, which covered participants’ lodging, ground transportation, meals, and donation fees required to participate in the Habitat for Humanity house build.
Click the following links to VIEW photos and WATCH a video digest of the 2026 ACYOA Seniors Mission Trip.
Follow @ACYOA on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on upcoming events, or subscribe to their e-mail newsletter at www.acyoa.org. Contact Jennifer Morris at jenniferm@armeniandiocese.org or (248) 648-0702 for information or questions.