Welcome to Turkey!
To begin, I want to thank all of you reading this! The country of Turkey really needs the gospel, and by reading this, you’re partnering with me and many others! We all are praying that God’s love shines and his gospel is shared. I will be, quickly, highlighting Turkey’s religious history; then I will give ya’ll a chance to get involved, via prayers and donations. Prayer is the most powerful action you can take.
As I was doing this research, I found a verse that truly lays out what you will be doing after you read this (hopefully). That verse comes from 2 Corinthians 1:8-11. It is believed that Paul wrote this letter upon his departure from Ephesus, which was located in eastern Turkey. Matter of fact the epistle, or letter, of Ephesians was written to the church located in Ephesus.
So what happened to Turkey, a place where the gospel thrived. I mean Paul traveled throughout the country of Turkey; from Ephesus to Antioch to the regions of Cappadocia.
In his book, The Turkish Transformation, Dr. Henry Allen states, “conquest followed on conquest in brilliant succession until the climax was reached in the sixteenth century, when Selim’s crushing campaigns and Suleiman’s genius in palace and on battlefield exalted the Turkish empire to a position of unparalleled magnificence, making Constantinople the fear of Christendom and the hope of Islam.”
The change truly began here, but only got worse. Prior to the first World War, the population of Christianity made up about 20-30% of the country of Turkey. Post World War I, the population declined to about 3-5% and now, Christianity makes up only about .3-.4% of the population.
“For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself . Indeed we felt that we had received the sentenced of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.”
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
So now that you have heard some of the history of Turkey, what’s going on now. The small percentage of Christians who reside there are now dealing with potential hate and persecution again. As president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has come back into power. He stereotypes christian Turks as not being real Turks. In 2016 many churches were attacked all across the country.
The people are not evil, but some of the radicals are misguided. Overall the country just needs people to come and love on them. Show them the love of Jesus.
More than 60% of the people groups are un-reached, and many have never heard the gospel. The threat of family separation, due to the Islamic belief, has prevented the gospel from being shared more. Plus the persecution from many of the radicals has made it even harder.
Prayer is the communication between you and the Creator of the Universe. He spoke the universe into exist and gave us similar abilities. Our words can change the course of history, because those words are going to the One that controls History.
The next powerful thing you can do, is Disciple! Matthew 28:18-20, also known as the Great Commission, in English commands us to Go and share the good news by making disciples, baptizing, and teaching. In Greek the actual command is Not to go But to disciple and we are to accomplish this by going, teaching, and baptizing.
So join me as I have been discipled and now desire to disciple others in Turkey, by donating. By donating, you’re discipling others, even though you may not be able to physically go yourself. My vision and desire, which is apart of Life on Mission (lifeonmission.website), is that God wants to give Life Transformation to Everyone, throughout Every Generation, in Every Circumstance; and He wants to use us to accomplish this.
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Thank you for posting this article, Jacken! It was enlightening! That passage in 2 Corinthians has long been a favorite of mine. We are excited to help support you in this amazing adventure of faith!