A Brief Time-Line of ATPI...

SUMMER of 2014...

In August of 2014, a group of six Turks and one Armenian from Turkey met together with a group of Armenians from the US to discuss both the history that divides us and the hope that brings us together. In that meeting, one of the Turkish pastors began passionately asking for forgiveness for all that had happened in 1915 and the years leading up to it. Everyone in that room, the Armenians, the Turks, and a group intercessors and peacemakers observing... everyone was moved, realizing the work of reconciliation that has just happened before their eyes.  That group of men and women knew that this was just the beginning.

Several nights later, around three hundred Armenians in Pasadena gathered at the Armenian Brotherhood Church to hear from these Turkish delegation.  What they saw and heard astonished them... and suddenly, these Armenians, most of whom have never felt anything more than hurt and anger toward the Turkish people, were now embracing these particular Turks. Something changed.  Reconciliation.

WINTER & Spring of 2015...

Building off of what happened in Pasadena, ATPI led a second gathering in New Jersey with three Turkish leaders from Turkey.  One hundred and fifty Armenians attended this gathering. During the event, one of the Turkish leaders said, "When my grandparents were killing yours, they were speaking words of cursing and hatred. Would you allow me to speak words of blessing and love?" And so, in Turkish, he expressed great love toward the Armenians. Then an Armenian man came up and embraced him. No one left that day the same as when they arrived.

Just one month later, ATPI sponsored its first event in Istanbul Turkey.  But this time, not only had many more Turkish leaders attended, but a large delegation from Armenia attended as well, along with Armenians from Canada and other Diaspora nations. It was also meaningful to have a large number of young men and woman there. At the conclusion of this gathering, many Armenians from North America traveled in groups to their ancestral cities around Turkey. These trip was captured on one of ATPI's documentaries.

SPRING of 2016

In April of 2016, the leadership council of ATPI gathering in Adana for three days of planning.  It was decided that a new leadership structure be established for ATPI. And so, from that meeting forward, there would be an international board led by ATPI's founder, as well as a country leader for Turkey, Armenia, and North America (and the Diaspora). 

Following those meetings, the leadership counsel flew to Istanbul in order to launched the fourth ATPI gathering. This time over 150 Armenian and Turkish leaders were in attendance. It was inspiring to see how many Armenians came from Armenia and throughout the Diaspora (from Canada, France, UK, etc).  Turkish leaders spoke openly about our shared past, asking for forgiveness while Armenians were laying down their historic hatred and unforgiveness. Together they focused on how to work together to see partnership develop between their two nations.

FALL of 2017

Instead of a centralized ATPI gathering in 2017, it was decided to hold regional gatherings, in the US, Turkey, and Armenia. And so, in September, ATPI-North America sponsored a number of events in Fresno and Southern California. We brought eight Turkish leaders from Turkey to speak to over a thousand people from the Armenian community.

BEYOND

In 2018, ATPI sponsored its second reconciliation gathering in Armenia. A group of Turkish leaders, men and women, young and old, came to this neighboring country, and spoke to thousands of Armenians. So many doors to reconciliation, friend, and partnership were opened. In 2019, we have a smaller delegation from Turkey coming to Armenia as well.