Spring 2018 Prayer Newsletter
Persecution of Turkish Christians
The fellowship of Turkish churches puts together an annual report of the various attempts to frighten and intimidate the Christian community. The report for 2017 was just released and it includes such events as the following:
A church in Istanbul received a death threat directed at the lead pastor and the assistant pastor. Soon after the threat was received, multiple windows were broken at the home of the assistant pastor.
The staff of a Christian radio station in Ankara was also threatened with death and have had to hire security.
A New Testament was burned and left at the doorstep of a church in Istanbul.
A campaign of false and negative news stories by the press regarding a church in Izmir led the police to close it down. Thank God the church was able to remain open.
In Ankara and Izmir, there are numerous accounts of the children of Christian families being bullied and harassed for their faith.
There is a rise in deportation of foreign Christian workers in Turkey.
Pastor Andrew Brunson continues to be held in prison.
Please pray for our dear brothers and sisters in Turkey who live under the threat of intimidation, attack, and verbal abuse!
Praises from Turkish Churches
Even though there are only 60 churches in Turkey led by Turkish pastors, the good news of God’s gracious work continues to be seen:
A church in Kadikoy shares that 6 Muslims have recently come to faith in Christ.
A church in Uskudar is preparing to baptize five new believers in April.
The Syrian refugee fellowship that we support in Istanbul has recently baptized 28 new believers and has recently seen 13 more come to faith in Jesus.
Our partner church in Adana shares of a planned baptism service this Spring.
All of our partner churches continue to show the love of Jesus through prison ministry, refugee ministry, acts of kindness, and many other mean of service.
It is an honor to stand with our 40 partner churches in Turkey! Please ask God to give them grace and wisdom as they share the good news of the Christian message!
Recent Baptisms