In December 2025, Sevan Church of the Nazarene—the newest Nazarene church in Armenia—celebrated its first anniversary
Although the church was officially established just over a year ago, its history in Sevan began in 2017 with a Vacation Bible School (VBS) program. Fifty children came that year, and they learned Bible stories, worshipped, learned English, played games, and made crafts. Over the next few years, the church’s VBS program grew to 200 participants.
While these camps were put on pause because of the pandemic, a retired missionary moved to Sevan in 2021 and began small gatherings for women, children, and teenagers in her apartment. Many of her lessons focused on the Church of the Nazarene’s foundational teachings and discipleship. Two women were baptized as a result of that ministry.
Natella is one of the women who attended the Bible studies. And through sending her kids to the VBS program in Sevan, Natella got introduced to the Church of the Nazarene.
Through these meetings, she said she “found her place, her church.” She says that this church has “renewed the course of my life, given me the opportunity to walk a second time, and helped me.”
A few years after the pandemic, the church was able to host VBS in Sevan again in 2024 and 2025, with around 200 children and 60 teens in attendance. Parents also heard the gospel, and many expressed an interest in the church.
After much prayer, in 2025, the local school director offered the church an unused school building to use for services. This building has been cleaned and prepared, and people meet weekly for worship, Bible studies, and fellowship. Children who first attended VBS years ago are now teenagers who come and help.
Natella continues to attend the church in the rented building, along with her daughter Ellen, who helped serve Communion on the Sunday when the church officially first met. Natella also began taking classes through the European Nazarene College.
“Every day I glorify the Lord,” Ellen said. “I am grateful for all I have. I will live, testifying to the miracle of God and the great love that the Lord gives to each of us.”
Services got halted for a few weeks in January because of severe winter weather. But on 1 February 2026, a team from the Yerevan church travelled to Sevan for worship. Although the team had to shovel a path to the entrance to the building, they enjoyed a beautiful service, with adults, children, and teens worshipping together.
The Eurasia Region continues to pray for more leaders in Sevan and that the church will continue to grow and bless its community.