Maria Bakalian

Maria Bakalian serves with the Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in Lebanon.

Maria J. Bakalian has been a mission co-worker since 2017. She is appointed to the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East (UAECNE) and Haigazian University in Beirut, Lebanon. At the university, she provides administrative support to the development and alumni affairs office, edits the student magazine, and serves on the social media team. Maria is also the representative of the UAECNE on the board of directors of the Armenian Sanatorium, and heads the pastors’ wives organization of the UAECNE. As a registered nurse, she received her training at Guelph General Hospital School of Nursing in Ontario, Canada. She worked in a variety of nursing roles in Toronto, Canada; Pennsylvania; San Francisco, California; and Beirut, Lebanon. A native of Beirut, she was previously a librarian at a private high school in Lebanon. She is a member and former church secretary of the Armenian Martyrs’ Congregational Church (United Church of Christ) in Havertown, Pennsylvania.  

How would you describe the mission of our partner in Lebanon?

Inspired by the Armenian Evangelical heritage and following the American liberal arts educational model, Haigazian University is jointly owned by the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East (UAECNE) and the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA). It is the only Armenian university outside of Armenia. It is known for having a student body of diverse backgrounds seeking higher education in a personalized, socially moderate, and religiously tolerant environment. They emerge with a broader range of friendships spanning a variety of communities so that their service in their respective communities and to society at large is expressive of the broader ideals of Lebanon.

Although the UAECNE’s offices are in Beirut, its presence stretches throughout the Middle East, with a network of churches, schools, and institutions. They primarily, though not exclusively, serve the needs of the Armenian communities in the countries they reside after having been displaced from their historic homelands early in the 20th century. Specifically, I am working with their camping ministry. Located on a hillside outside of Beirut (near Mansourieh) is the UAECNE’s Christian Endeavor Summer Center – KCHAG. The 1975-1990 civil war and the dozen years that followed interrupted and damaged KCHAG’s ministry in a major way. Yet, since 2002, after a great deal of cleanup and renovation, this nearly 70-year-old camp is back to serving Armenian and non-Armenian churches and sister organizations alike. KCHAG has had a rich past, and by faith and persevering work, it can also have a great future for ministry and community development. 

How do you fit into their mission?

In the case of Haigazian University, having worked there previously, I am applying my knowledge of the university, my administrative skills, my lifelong affiliation with the Armenian Evangelical Church, and my familiarity with the Middle Eastern and Armenian contexts to promote the work of the university and help it flourish in the face of serious challenges.

Similarly, in the case of the UAECNE, I am applying my experience and engagement with the church here and in North America to provide as wide a perspective as possible in developing the work of the camping ministries. I will continue using my background and skills as I enter new tasks, including occasional ministry with the Evangelical Church of Armenia.

What led you to engage in this calling?

I desire to serve alongside my husband in a field that has so many needs, especially where I can use my administrative and organizational skills.

Is there a passage of scripture that carries special meaning in your daily work?

Psalm 46.10 has been a beacon of strength and encouragement for me.

What are some of the challenges facing the people of Lebanon?

One of the greatest challenges facing the region, as well as the UAECNE, is the departure of many Christians, including Armenians, from the region. Experienced and qualified leaders are needed for the schools, relief programs, and community activities here, and those emerging leaders need to be trained and mentored. There is a severe lack of financial resources, which is entrenched as fewer people are left to support the ongoing work while basic living costs skyrocket. A less-than-transparent governmental system and regional and international struggles playing out locally add to the frustration and burden ordinary citizens face. This leads many of the brightest, most talented, and most principled youth to seek to emigrate from Lebanon to pursue their careers and life goals.

In higher education, a high-quality institution like Haigazian University faces severe competition from the proliferation of less expensive but academically questionable universities that the government has licensed in the past two decades. There is a marked increase in the need for scholarship funds for university students, for Lebanese and non-Lebanese alike, including refugees from places like Syria and Iraq, whose financial situation is even more precarious than that of locals.

What lesson have you learned from our partner that you feel should be shared with churches in the U.S.?

The church in the West should know that the church in the Middle East (of which the Armenian Evangelical Church is a part) is not expendable for any social, political, or religious reason. The presence and work of the church are crucial for the peace, justice, and hope of God to reach many people in difficult and destitute circumstances. The lessons of faith, hope, and endurance can richly bless the church in the West if time and opportunity are given to hear these stories. The university and the camp are beacons of hope for future generations.

Maria’s appointment is made possible by your gifts to Disciples Mission Fund, Our Church’s Wider Mission, and your special gifts. Make a gift that supports the work of Maria Bakalian

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