Prayer Profile:
Located on the continents of Asia and Europe, the land of Turkey is a bridge between East and West. Rich in biblical sites, it was conquered by Turkish armies coming out of Central Asia to become the centre of the Muslim world. Modern Turkey aspires to be part of Europe and has a functioning democracy and constitutional freedom of religion. The current population is 72 million, 20% of whom are Kurds. After decades of instability and mismanagement, there has been a recent upsurge in the economy, allowing for the emergence of an urban middle class.
To be Turkish is to be Muslim, and this deep, national pride has severely hindered church growth. Workers have served in Turkey since the early 1960s, but there are still only around 3,500 Muslim-background believers scattered over 95 small churches. Believers are generally able to worship openly, although they may suffer discrimination and slander from their families and communities.
Redemptive Purpose: The seven churches of the book of Revelation are all located in Turkey. Today, most of them are no more than piles of rubble. But Jesus says to each church, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” May the church in Turkey be a leader in hearing the voice of the Spirit in these days.
Key Scripture to Pray: But I will reveal My name to My people and they will come to know its power. Then at last they will recognise that I am the One who speaks to them. - Isaiah 52:6
Going Before the Father: In Turkey, to be a Turk is to be a Muslim. Ask the Lord of the harvest to break down this presupposition in peoples’ minds. If this stronghold was broken, we believe a swell of people would come into the Kingdom of God!
The majority of Turkish provinces still have no physical witness of Jesus. However, newspaper and Internet advertisements for the Bible Correspondence Course, as well as TV and radio programmes, are accessible to all. Pray that many people in these remote areas would realise the Lord is speaking to them.
More than 40% of Turkey’s population is under the age of 21, yet there is little effort to reach youth. Pray for a witness to students and for Turkish believing families to have an impact on families in their apartment buildings and neighbourhoods.
Download Turkey Prayer Profile
Outreach Options:
Click on your selection and you will be re-directed to our international website. There you can apply for this Outreach, and your information will be sent to the OM office in your country. A representative will contact you shortly thereafter. *Some outreach options may not be available for your country. Application deadlines vary between different OM offices.
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Transform 2010 Turkey - More Than Dreams
Arrival date: 19-Jul-2010, Departure date: 12-Aug-2010
Participants will focus on one of the most unevangelised areas of the world - the east of Turkey - in order to reach 3000 families through a unique and powerful video. Contacts will be linked into an extensive followup system. The teams will work in pairs, meeting every few days for prayer and feedback.
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Transform 2010 Turkey – ArtsLink
Arrival date: 19-Jul-2010, Departure date: 17-Aug-2010
The ArtsLink Turkey team will impact a community through friendship evangelism, the visual arts and sharing their personal story. The artists will have time to produce their own art, interact with local artists, visit in the community and celebrate the time with an exhibition.
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Transform 2010 Turkey - Maximum Impact! Creative Artists for Jesus
Arrival date: 19-Jul-2010, Departure date: 12-Aug-2010
Using their experience (and their instruments) Transform2010 Turkey musicians, dancers and actors will be organised into small groups by talent and instrumentation and take to the streets throughout the Mediterranean region of Turkey. Through performing, giving testimony, sharing and signing up people for the Bible Correspondence Course, we are planning for a creative expression of the Gospel that will result in people coming to faith.
