Turkey
During the first millennium of church history, Turkey was a bastion of Christianity. However, through much of the second millennium Turkey became a stronghold and propagator of Islam. During the 20th century Christianity declined from 22% of the population to less than 1% today. There are slightly more than 3000 evangelical believers in Turkey.
Turkey has considered itself a secular state since the time of Ataturk in 1923, but Islam has become much more important politically in recent years. “To be a Turk is be a Muslim” in the eyes of the people, even if only culturally Muslim. Acute pressure from family, government intimidation, and Islamist threats keep many from accepting Christ and cause others to be “secret believers”.
Many Turkish citizens believe that Christians are trying to brainwash people, turn them against the country, and spy for other nations. Government officials make negative statements about followers of Jesus. One frequent slur against believers is a charge that Christians pay Muslims to convert to Christianity. “More than half of the population of…Turkey opposes members of other religions holding meetings or publishing materials to explain their faith.” Almost 40% of Turks said they had very negative views of Christianity. Because of this constant stream of propaganda, there have been many attacks against Christians.
In April 2007 five Muslim “seekers” attended a Bible study at a Christian publishing house in Malatya, along with two Turkish converts and one German missionary. The Muslims stabbed and cut the throats of the two Turkish believers and the missionary. Recently, a Muslim left his home “determined to kill a Christian that day.” When one Christian left the local church, this man accosted him and stabbed him to death. The attacker carried a note that said “I love my homeland. Those who disagree with my thoughts or don’t like them can get out of my country.” The government does little to hinder these attacks and has arrested several Christians on charges of “insulting Turkishness.”
Prayers for persecuted Christians in Turkey
Restrictions and Attacks in Turkey
Christians in TURKEY face continued difficulties. Missionaries have been expelled or denied re-entry under tightened visa regulations. A pastor was attacked on Easter weekend. Recently a church building was vandalized.
Ask God to encourage Christian workers. “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”
Believers Attacked, Threatened
A report released earlier this year documented attacks on Christians in TURKEY and said that some church leaders must live under police protection and some even need bodyguards. Believers have been beaten for sharing their faith, church members have been threatened, and church buildings attacked.
Pray that Christians in Turkey will persevere. “In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?”
Struggle of Turkish Christians
A recent report on persecution in Turkey describes a “root of intolerance” toward non-Islamic faiths. In some areas Turkish church leaders must “live under some sort of police protection.” The report adds, “There are at least five church leaders who have bodyguards, and at least two have a direct phone line to a police protection unit. Several churches have police protection during worship services.”
Education in Turkey
In Turkey, Christians who share their faith have been beaten and martyred. Church leaders are constantly threatened and church buildings vandalized. The government turns a blind eye to such attacks (in 2011 there were 12 documented incidents where no one was charged with wrongdoing), and authorities often discriminate against Christians. One of Smyrna's Turkish ministry partners asked the police for protection after being harassed, and the police refused.
Children Face Harassment
Christian children in TURKEY often face harassment and vilification. One 8th-grade civics book characterizes “missionary activities” as a national threat. The Ministry of Education ignores requests to change this language.
Pray that young believers will stand firm in their faith. “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.”
Learn More: Education in Turkey
Outreach to Kids in Turkey
One of our ministry partners in TURKEY reports that a recent program for kids went well. One of the kids asked, “Could you come and do an activity every week?” The Christian population of Turkey is less than 1% of the nation’s total population. Christian children in Turkey often feel isolated.
Ask God to help these kids to follow after Him. “Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.”
Waiting
Yousef Fallah Ranjbar, an Iranian Christian refugee seeking asylum in Turkey, has been waiting for years—first for his asylum case to be considered, and then for his attacker to be taken to court.
Asylum Seeker Mocked, Attacked
An Iranian believer from a Muslim background seeking asylum in TURKEY was mocked for his faith by an interviewer at the refugee agency. His employer said he had no rights, refused to give him his pay, beat him, and scalded him with hot water.
Ask God to provide for him and for other Iranian refugees like him. “The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart for all generations.”
Faithful
Our ministry partner “Amir” and his wife “Ceyda” are faithful church planters and evangelists in Turkey. They have faced numerous threats and dangers, but have prayed about their fears and stand bold in their witness. They are truly a remarkable couple. Please pray for them during the most recent challenges that they face.
Ministry Partner in Danger
One of our ministry partners in TURKEY was awakened by people banging on his door in the night. The family called the police. Later they heard gunshots outside. They have previously received death threats.
Ask God to be their refuge and strength. “How precious is Your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.”
LEARN MORE: FAITHFUL