“So faith comes from hearing the Good News. And people hear the Good News when someone tells them about Christ.” Romans 10:17 ERV

At 69 years old, Qajik began to question life. He would attend funerals and wonder, “Is this the end?” Qajik had heard the name of God, but nothing about the need to have a relationship with Him. He hadn’t heard the truth. He hadn’t heard the Gospel.

Not yet, anyway.

Qajik lives in Armenia, a country with a complicated religious history. Many here claim Christianity, though it’s more of a tradition than a true relationship with Christ. Qajik was aware of the existence of God, but that was it.

“Even though I was born in a Communist society, my parents never rejected the existence of God, and neither did I,” he says. “At the same time, we didn’t know anything about God or Christianity.”

Qajik knew there were evangelical Christians in his area, but he was skeptical of them. He assumed they were sectarians, an often ill-informed stereotype that implies these people hold dangerous, false beliefs. One of his grandchildren asked to attend a class at the church, and though his parents agreed, Qajik did not approve.

“To be honest, I was worried because I thought these sectarians would deceive my grandson,” he says.

Qajik’s grandson, also named Qajik.

The protective grandfather decided to accompany his grandson. What he assumed would be a brainwashing was actually a Project Philip Bible study class for children. Qajik was impressed by the teacher, Sister Emma, a volunteer for Bible League Armenia. “She clearly cared for the children,” he remembers, “and did a great job of explaining the Bible lessons.”

The lessons were so compelling that Qajik couldn’t help but listen. “One of the things she explained was the importance of honoring one’s parents. I liked the sound of that, and thought these lessons weren’t so bad after all,” he says. “I decided to bring all of my grandchildren to the next class.”

Week after week, Qajik attended the classes with his nine grandchildren. He has bad eyesight, so the opportunity to listen to the Bible study teacher was the perfect way for Qajik to hear and understand the message of the Gospel.

After he became a believer, Qajik excitedly approached Sister Emma asking to join a Bible study group for adults. “Even though I have sight problems, I eagerly went through the booklets because I had a hunger for the Word of God,” he recalls. When he completed the Project Philip Bible study, he received his first copy of the Bible.

“It was the most important day of my life,” he says.

Today, Qajik sees a drastic change in his character because of God’s work in his life. “Now, I have a new life, and it seems I am a young man again. I had a hard character. I could be aggressive and angry toward my wife if dinner was too late. Sometimes, I acted up to my children also. God changed my life and gave me peace in my heart,” he says.

“I realize I should deepen my roots in the Word of God. Even though I am 69 years old, I am eager to know many things about God,” Qajik says. 

Today, he seeks to know more and more of God’s Word, and is committed to sharing the Gospel with friends and relatives. Qajik knows the power of hearing God’s Word, just as it says in Romans 10. He wants others to hear the truth and come to know the Lord, just as he did.

Through your support, Qajik is able to understand the Gospel and learn more about Christ every day through his Bible and the Bible study materials. He is eternally grateful. “Because of your support, I have come closer to God and His Word. I assure you that the materials of Bible League are helpful, useful, and good. Thanks to all of you!”

Qajik asks for prayers as he hopes to reach others like him. “I know that life is short, and they also should know the Good News and be saved in time.”

Two of Qajik’s grandchildren (far left, girl in blue and boy in green) pose with their Bible study group.