A Glorious Anniversary

"A Glorious Anniversary" records the history of the Assyrian Presbyterian Church of Turlock, California, a history compiled to mark the celebration of its 90th anniversary in 2016. The church was founded by the Rev. Dr. Elisha David in 1925. The book includes a biography of each of its pastors, including Dr. David (1925-1954), the Rev. Stephen O. Khoobyar (1956-1961), the Rev. Darius B. Yohannan (1963-1983), the Rev. Dr. George Sahbaz (1983-2003), and the Rev. Dr. Edward Eissabake (2003-Current). Personal and historical pictures are included, many in full color. The program and presentations given during the anniversary event are also recorded along with the history of the congregation. The contents of the book were compiled by Julius W. Mirza. The suffering and persecution of Assyrians in general, and Assyrian Christians in particular, are noted both in the individual biographies of the pastors and in the history of the congregation. Marginalization and persecution led many Assyrian Christians to leave Iran and neighboring regions and immigrate to the United States where they could live and worship freely and without fear. The book, "A Glorious Anniversary," celebrates both the ministry of the congregation as well as the men and women who continue to gather together to serve God and support one another as Assyrian Christian Presbyterians in Turlock, California.