What is the Jinishian Memorial Program?

Arevatsag children celebrate the opening of the first village kindergarten, a successful outcome of the JMP Armenia initiated community development program. Photo by Zabel Yirikian.

An ecumenical relief and development agency of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Jinishian Memorial Program (JMP) "enables Armenians in need to move from poverty and despair to self-sufficiency and hope — through relief, development, and spiritual uplift."

JMP is a ministry of the PC(USA)'s General Assembly Mission Council and is part of the World Mission ministry area. It is directly involved in community-based development, the delivery of social services and relief projects to thousands of Armenians. It is particularly attuned to the socially vulnerable of Armenian societies, especially the elderly who live without pension support or on very limited income, as well as families with children, whose income is below the poverty level. Vocational training, use of revolving loan funds, summer camps and housing assistance have been utilized.

Women prepare orange drink to sell in an Aleppo market, part of an economic development initiative of the JMP in Syria. Photo by Ani Cholakian.

No formal education or schooling assistance is provided, since the donor, Vartan H. Jinishian, observed in his will that basic education should be the primary responsibility of each nation's government. He also observed that other Armenian organizations are frequently involved in formal education and schooling, and he preferred to make support originating from his resources available for other needs of the communities.

Increasingly, JMP affirms a self-help approach to economic development, which encourages the poor to identify their own needs, define their goals, plan for solutions, and organize themselves to attain the objectives they have chosen. Community-based development is being introduced in three of the five countries where JMP is working.

Young men learn to make furniture in a vocational training program in Istanbul.

One of the unique features of JMP is its mandate to provide programs of spiritual uplift in partnership with the Armenian Christian denominations. Its ecumenical commitments are evident in the composition of advisory committees who provide advice and guidance to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and JMP staff in the various countries.

Jinishian Commission Visits Armenia: Reflections of a Commission Member

Cynthia E. White, JMP Commission Member
Coordinator, Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People

From left to right: Cynthia White, Carolyn McLarnan and Marie Haratunian visit with a farmer. Photo by Victor Makari.

Armenia is one of the oldest civilizations and the first in the world to officially accept Christianity as its state religion.  It is a nation desperately trying to survive, trying to overcome its tragic history. It is a nation fighting for independence, democracy and a brighter future.  The spirit of the Armenian people and the nation’s determination create the potential to pull the country out of an endless cycle of mediocrity and on to a course of economic and political growth. Keep reading.

First-ever study tour raises awareness of Jinishian Memorial Program

PC(USA) ministry seeks to improve lives of people of Armenian descent

Photo credit: Jinishian Memorial Program.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Jinishian Memorial Program (JMP), a unique ministry of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), conducted an inaugural study tour of Armenia — the first country to declare Christianity as the nation’s religion — from Sept. 13-24.

JMP is dedicated to improving the lives of people of Armenian descent and “enables Armenians in need to move from poverty and despair to self-sufficiency and hope — through relief, development and spiritual uplift.” The tour raised awareness of JMP’s ecumenical work and sought to inspire people to become advocates and supporters for the program in Armenia.

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