Faith on the Frontline

How one Armenian church planter shared Jesus in the midst of war

In Armenia, faith has deep roots—but for many people today, the fire of belief has grown faint. Years of conflict, uncertainty, and displacement have taken their toll. Yet even in the darkest moments, God continues to raise up ordinary believers to shine His light.

One of them is Vardan.

Called to serve—again
In September 2020, Vardan had only just settled into a new season of life. He and his young family had moved to the town of Zoravan to help serve in the local church. Having completed his military service years earlier, he hoped that chapter was well behind him.

But as war broke out once again between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Vardan sensed he would be called back to the front line.

“God, if this is what You want, then prepare me,” he prayed.

Soon after, he left behind his wife, Anahit, and their two-month-old son, Daniel, and returned to active service.

God’s presence in the chaos
During his first days on the battlefield, God gave Vardan a powerful image—one that would carry him through the months ahead.

“I saw a huge ship, brightly lit, with my family, friends, and neighbours on board,” he recalls. “Jesus placed me into one of the lifeboats and said, ‘All you need is that I am with you.’” That promise stayed with him.

Living alongside 200 other soldiers, Vardan’s quiet faith didn’t go unnoticed. As they saw him reading the Bible and praying, questions began to flow.

Is there justice?
Is there heaven and hell?
Can you pray for me?

Before long, Vardan found himself sharing his hope in Jesus daily. One night, 20 soldiers asked him to pray for them before heading into frontline combat the next morning. He did—and every one of them returned safely.

“That was a miracle,” Vardan says.

Each morning after breakfast, he began leading a short devotional. He had become, in many ways, the pastor of his unit. One verse anchored him throughout that season—Joshua 1:9: “Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Hope after the war
Vardan eventually returned home safely. “I value peace so much more now,” he says. “Every night, I thank God that my family and I are alive.”

But peace would again be tested.

In 2023, more than 100,000 people were forced to flee Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) in a matter of days. Refugee families poured into Armenia with nothing but what they could carry. Vardan, Anahit, and their church responded immediately.

“I opened my wardrobe and gave everything I could,” Anahit says.

As they welcomed refugees into their community, Vardan shared his story again and again—pointing people to the hope he had found in Christ. Through these relationships, some families began attending church, joining Project Philip Bible study groups, and even choosing to be baptised.

“Our friendships became a bridge,” Vardan explains. “A bridge to hope.”

Living for what lasts
Today, Vardan continues serving wherever God places him—at school, with refugee families, and in Bible groups for young people. He remains deeply grateful for peace, while knowing how fragile it can be.

“The war may be over, but the danger isn’t,” he says. “Everything on earth can be taken away. But treasures in heaven remain.”

The image of the lifeboat still stays with him. So does God’s promise. “Do not be afraid, for I, the Lord your God, am with you wherever you go.” And through Vardan’s life, that promise is bringing joy, peace, and hope to many who desperately need it.

Pray for the people who were forced to flee Artsakh and across Armenia, many of whom continue to live with uncertainty, loss, and displacement. Pray that God would bring comfort to grieving families, protection and provision to those rebuilding their lives, and renewed faith to communities searching for hope. And pray that God’s Word would continue to take root—bringing joy, peace, and lasting transformation through His Church in Armenia.

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