Armenian Missionary Association

What Armenian Missionary Association does

The Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (Fed No. 13-5670954) founded in 1918 in Worcester, Massachusetts and incorporated in New York in 1920, serving as the missionary arm of the Armenian Evangelical Church worldwide. Its programs span evangelism and church planting, Christian education, and humanitarian aid delivered through a network of 150+ churches and 45 evangelism projects across 22+ countries, including the US, Canada, France, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, Russia, Egypt, Australia, and countries in South America.

Its core offerings fall into three vertical pillars: evangelism (church planting, pastoral support, theological training via the Evangelical Theological Academy of Armenia founded 1997, and a global church network spanning AEUNA, UAECNE, UAECE, UAECF); education (Khoren and Shooshanig Avedisian School in Armenia, 1999; C&E Merdinian Armenian Evangelical School in Sherman Oaks CA; Haigazian University in Beirut, 1955; Shogh Day Centers; scholarship programs); and humanitarian programs (Orphan Child Care and child sponsorship since the 1988 earthquake, Armenian Children's Milk Fund, Armenia Medical Mission, Christmas Joy, Stitched With Love, and Project Revive for displaced Artsakh families). Operational footprint includes worldwide headquarters in Paramus, NJ; AMAA Armenia offices in Yerevan with branches in Gyumri, Vanadzor, Stepanavan, and Goris; and a portfolio of summer camps in Armenia, California, New York/New Jersey, France, Lebanon, and Syria.

AMAA is funded primarily through individual and church donations, child and granny sponsorship subscriptions, memorial and planned giving, and event-based fundraising (annual meetings, Sparkles Foundation benefit, Hyeminds for Avedisian School gala, childcare benefit evenings). It is governed by a Board of Directors with semi-autonomous sister organizations (AMAA Armenia, AMA-Canada, AMA-Australia) and ex-officio representatives from partner unions, supported by ~20-25 professional staff. Recent leadership transitions include Serge D. Buchakjian as CEO/Executive Director (February 2025) and Gary R. Phillips, Esq. as Board President (2025).

Name

Armenian Missionary Association

Legal name

Armenian Missionary Association of America

Website

https://amaa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1918

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Armenian Missionary Association of America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1918 that delivers evangelism, Christian education, and humanitarian aid programs across 22+ countries through 150+ supported Armenian evangelical churches, schools, camps, and child sponsorship initiatives.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Faith-Based Humanitarian and Educational Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (81311), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Missions & Evangelism Organizations (Domestic & International) (BPAGAJAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Humanitarian Aid & Relief Ministries (BPAGAJAF), Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG), Missionary Training Colleges & Schools (EDAHAKAF), Faith-Based & Mission Service Programs (EDAIAGAI)

Keywords

• Missionary services
• Humanitarian aid
• Church planting
• Christian education
• Child sponsorship

Headquarters

HQ city

Paramus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Individual and Church Donations: AMAA is funded primarily through gifts from individuals and churches committed to its mission. Donors contribute to general operations, specific programs (churches, schools, camps, medical missions), and capital campaigns.
2. Child and Family Sponsorship Programs: AMAA operates child sponsorship programs (Orphan Child Care Program launched after 1988 earthquake) and Granny Sponsorship, allowing donors to support specific individuals in Armenia with ongoing monthly contributions.
3. Memorial and Planned Donations: Donors make memorial donations in honor of loved ones, and the organization receives planned giving and bequests.
4. Event-Based Fundraising: AMAA hosts fundraising events including annual meetings, benefit galas (e.g., Sparkles Foundation Children's Benefit Fashion, Hyeminds for Avedisian School), and childcare benefit evenings.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Armenian Missionary Association of America operates faith-based missionary, educational, and humanitarian programs serving Armenian communities across 22+ countries. Its core offerings include evangelism and church planting through 150+ affiliated churches, Christian education through schools and Haigazian University, humanitarian aid via child sponsorship, milk fund, medical missions, and disaster relief, and youth programs through summer camps and internships.

Product overview

The Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) is a nonprofit charitable organization operating as a religious mission organization, not a technology company. Its offerings consist of humanitarian programs, educational institutions, youth development programs, and religious publications. The core programs include evangelism/church planting across 22 countries, education through schools (Avedisian School in Armenia, Merdinian School in California, Haigazian University in Lebanon), humanitarian aid (child sponsorship, milk fund, medical missions, Christmas Joy Program), summer camps worldwide, and publications including ePubs and a bookstore. These are mission and charitable programs, not technology products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Evangelism and Church Planting Programs Church planting, missionary support, and spiritual development programs operating across 22+ countries including Armenia, Eurasia, Europe, the Near East, North America, South America, and Australia, supporting 150+ evangelical churches.
• Khoren and Shooshanig Avedisian School Christian school in Armenia providing comprehensive education and Armenian-Christian upbringing for children.
• Haigazian University Liberal arts college in Beirut, Lebanon — the only Armenian institution of higher education in the Diaspora.
• C&E Merdinian Armenian Evangelical School Christian school in Sherman Oaks, California serving approximately 200 students with Christian education and morning chapels.
• Shogh Day Centers After-school programs for children in Armenia providing educational and spiritual development activities.
• Armenian Children's Milk Fund Humanitarian program providing essential nutrition to children in Armenia.
• Armenia Medical Mission Medical mission programs providing healthcare services in Armenia.
• Christmas Joy Program Seasonal gift program for children and families in need.
• Child Sponsorship Program (Orphan Child Care Program) Sponsorship program providing essential necessities to orphans and vulnerable children in Armenia, allowing donors to communicate with and visit sponsored children.
• Stitched With Love Humanitarian program providing clothing and textile items to those in need.
• AMAA Summer Internship Program Annual program gathering young adults for mission trips to Armenia including home visitations, vacation Bible schools, and summer camp assistance.
• Summer Camps (Sheen Shoghig, Camp Arev, Camp Arevelk, La Fontanelle, La Source, KCHAG) Youth summer camps in Armenia (Sheen Shoghig, Hankavan), California (Camp Arev, Frazier Park), NY/NJ (Camp Arevelk), France (La Fontanelle, La Source), and Lebanon/Syria (KCHAG), offering spiritual, cultural, and recreational activities.
• AMAA Publications (ePubs and Periodicals) Digital and print publications including Armenian Bible Online, Le Messager-Panpere (Armenian-language periodical since 1925), AMAA News Quarterly, eBooks, Book Reviews, Mission Stories, Our Daily Bread, and Reflections.
• AMAA Online Bookstore Online bookstore offering Bibles, children's books, church materials, genocide literature, gifts, history books, multimedia, and non-fiction.
• Scholarship Programs Scholarship support for Armenian students pursuing education, including the James G. Jameson Essay Contest.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 150 evangelical churches supported worldwide
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and significant.

• Evangelical Theological Academy of Armenia (ETAA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1997Jointly established in 1997 by the Evangelical Church of Armenia (ECA) and the Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches of Eurasia. AMAA provides support and coordination for this theological training institution whose goal is to train highly qualified pastors, leaders, and ministers for Armenian evangelical churches. Nearly all current ECA pastors are graduates of ETAA.
• Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches of Eurasia (UAECE)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1995Founded on August 21, 1995 at a General Assembly of Pastors in Yerevan. AMAA has always focused on supporting Eurasian Union programs. The UAECE and ECA jointly established the Evangelical Theological Academy of Armenia in 1997.
• Haigazian UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1955Founded on October 17, 1955 by AMAA and the Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East (UAECNE) as a liberal arts college to prepare teachers and pastors. Located in Beirut, Lebanon, it is the only Armenian higher education institution in the Diaspora. Named in memory of Armenag Haigazian, martyred in 1921.
• AMAA ArmeniacoreOthersSister organization operating as the AMAA's primary office in Armenia. AMAA Armenia is headquartered at 18 Baghramyan Ave., Yerevan, and manages programs including the Evangelical Church of Armenia (ECA) with 23 local churches, Avedisian School, Shogh Day Centers, and other humanitarian programs.
• AMA-CanadamajorOthersSister organization based in Canada that supports AMAA's programs and represents the organization in Canada. Associated with AMAA through the AMAA Representative in Canada and Global Field Director Harout Nercessian.
• AMA-AustraliamajorOthersSister organization operating in Australia. Rev. Dr. Krikor Youmshajekian serves as Pres/CEO of AMA-Australia and also as a member of the AMAA Board of Directors as Ex-Officio (AEWC/AMA-Australia).
• Hope For Armenia (Espoir pour l'Arménie)significantOthersFrench-based humanitarian organization founded by the Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches of France following the 1988 earthquake in Armenia. Partners with AMAA on various projects in Armenia and Artsakh. Associated with AMAA as a listed sister organization on amaa.org.
• Evangelical Church of Armenia (ECA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAMAA supported the reestablishment of the ECA following the 1988 Spitak earthquake. ECA has 23 local churches in Armenia with 13 ordained pastors and 15 licensed preachers. AMAA helped establish the ECA office at 18 Baghramyan Ave., Yerevan, and supports its Christian education centers.
• Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East (UAECNE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutonomous body of 25 congregations throughout Australia, Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey. AMAA has longstanding strategic partnership supporting churches, schools, and humanitarian programs in the Near East. UAECNE is a founding member of the Armenian Evangelical World Council.
• Armenian Evangelical Union of North America (AEUNA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAEUNA unites Armenian evangelical churches across North America (US and Canada) and South America. AMAA was instrumental in AEUNA's formation in 1971 and maintains a Joint Home Missions committee with AEUNA. 33 churches are members of AEUNA.
• Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches of France (UAECF)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnion of Armenian evangelical churches in France with approximately 12 active communities. UAECF operates two camps (La Fontanelle and La Source) and publishes the Panpere Armenian-language periodical since 1925. Partners with AMAA on humanitarian initiatives for Armenia.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU): AGBU is the largest Armenian diaspora nonprofit, operating schools, humanitarian programs, and cultural initiatives across 30+ countries. It directly parallels AMAA in mission, beneficiary base (Armenian communities worldwide), and integrated education-plus-humanitarian model, though AGBU is non-sectarian.
• Armenian Relief Society (ARS): Founded in 1910, the ARS is a major Armenian humanitarian and educational nonprofit with chapters worldwide, running schools, senior care, and disaster relief. It mirrors AMAA's geographic spread across the Armenian diaspora and its combination of humanitarian aid and education, though politically affiliated with a different Armenian organization.
• Hayastan All-Armenian Fund: The Hayastan Fund is the primary Armenian-diaspora fundraising vehicle for infrastructure and humanitarian projects in Armenia. Comparable to AMAA's humanitarian and educational mandate, particularly for programs in the homeland.
• Armenia Fund (Tebantzian / Armenian American Telethon Fund): A U.S.-based nonprofit funding large-scale infrastructure and humanitarian projects in Armenia and Artsakh. Comparable to AMAA's homeland-focused humanitarian work, particularly the displaced Artsakh families programming.
• Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR): A U.S.-based coalition of Armenian organizations funding humanitarian and development projects in Armenia and the diaspora. Overlaps with AMAA in donor base (Armenian-American diaspora) and humanitarian programming in Armenia.

Broad incumbents

• Compassion International: One of the world's largest child sponsorship organizations, operating a similar recurring-donor sponsorship model for children in developing countries. While much larger and faith-based but non-Armenian-specific, it is highly comparable on the sponsorship-program business model AMAA uses for its Orphan Child Care Program.
• World Vision: A major Christian humanitarian organization running child sponsorship, education, and disaster relief globally. Comparable to AMAA in faith-based identity, integrated humanitarian-plus-education programming, and multi-country operating model, though at vastly greater scale.

Regional players

• Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA): A faith-based humanitarian agency focused on Armenian, Assyrian, and other Christian communities in the Near East, supporting schools, churches, and humanitarian programs in the same geography as AMAA. Directly comparable in constituency (vulnerable Christian communities) and program mix (schools, humanitarian aid, church support), though affiliated with a different denomination.

Emerging players

• Near East Foundation: A humanitarian and development organization with deep roots in the Near East and Armenian communities, supporting education and economic development. Comparable to AMAA on geographic focus (Armenia, Near East) and education-oriented programming, though secular in identity.
• MAP International: A faith-based humanitarian organization providing medical missions and health services to vulnerable populations globally. Comparable to AMAA's Armenia Medical Mission program in faith-based medical humanitarian delivery.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/amaainc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/AMAA1918
• Facebookfacebook.com/amaainc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/amaa-america
• Instagraminstagram.com/amaainc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Armenian Missionary Association