Turkey

Partner with Local Missionaries in Turkey

Located in the 10/40 Window

With most of its land mass in the Anatolian peninsula of western Asia and a lesser part on the Balkan peninsula of southeastern Europe, Turkey (now officially Republic of Türkiye) has a rich cultural and religious history and is a major political force in the region. Though overwhelmingly Muslim at 96.2 percent of the population, most adherents are nominal, as few have knowledge of the Quran, yet fiercely loyal, as Islam is integral to nationalistic fervor.

Another paradox: while Turkey has had a secular government for most of the past century, the current administration of Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been marked by strongly Islamist tendencies. At the same time, the non-religious portion of the population has been growing, with estimates ranging from 3.1 percent to into the double digits. Only 0.04 percent of the population evangelical, according to Joshua Project.

Local missionaries in Turkey report unprecedented openness to the gospel among a growing number of Turkish Muslims and Muslim refugees from Syria and elsewhere. With so few evangelical Christians, however, churches can hardly support evangelists and pastors, and they need donations for their monthly expenses and for tools such as ministry vehicles vital for outreaches to refugee camps.

One effective ministry has planted churches in the Black Sea region, and they need assistance for rental of their worship places. Meantime, the demand for Bibles has increased as Muslim refugees’ disillusionment with Islam drives them to seek answers elsewhere. Local workers request assistance to keep Bibles and New Testaments in stock, as well as an apologetics book written by a native missionary. These books are distributed in refugee camps and prisons, during one-on-one outreach and in stands in front of a church building.

Media and social media are having an increasingly strong impact. One native missionary publishes a magazine that clarifies who Christ is and addresses various topics from a Christian perspective, and another has a radio program with a large audience. The latter also posts teaching and preaching on Internet outlets, reaching a potential audience of millions. Through responses to these media, local missionaries are seeing the prevalence of disillusion with Islam and interest in the person of Christ.

Sources: Joshua Project, Wikipedia

84.2 million

Population

0.04%

Evangelical Population:

People Groups:

Unreached People Groups:

How to Pray for Turkey

Pray for protection of local missionaries, as they are facing increasing threats and attacks in media, on the street and among powers and authorities.
Pray that Muslims putting their faith in Christ will be protected from family and societal opposition and will find support in Christian community.
Pray that native leadership will be developed in spite of a national ban on Christian seminaries in the country.

More Stories from Turkey

Lift Up Believers in Turkey

When a woman from a strict Muslim family was discovered reading the New Testament, her relatives persecuted her. During this time of persecution, she dreamed she was with a crowd walking toward Jesus, and He called her name. When she drew nearer to Him, He told her how much He loved her. Later, when she told local missionaries about the dream, she not only expressed the joy that filled her when He called her name, but she also chose to publicly declare her faith at the local church. Your donations assist persecuted believers.

Christian Article Leads Turkish Muslim to Jesus

Yusuf*, a young Muslim man in Turkey, believed Christianity was false. He believed it was a threat to the true religion—Islam—and from the time he was a young child, he felt a deep hatred toward it. But that was to be expected of a young boy growing up in a strict Muslim family. When he was old enough for formal education, his parents sent him away to be educated in the rules of Islam, and those principles became the guiding force of his life. He had no reason to believe that what he studied and chose to believe in was anything other than the ultimate Truth.

Testify to God’s Great Love in Turkey

Pray the lost will find hope in God's word. A young government employee told a local ministry leader he was a traitor for believing God was more important than their country. The leader shared with her the Scripture that encourages believers to pray for those in authority, which he was committed to doing.

Help Fuel Gospel Proclamation in Turkey

Workers distributing aid at a refugee camp shared the gospel with a married couple in a tent where other relatives were present, so they were able to ask questions about the Bible and the Savior sent into the world. The couple and another relative have accepted Christ, and five other relatives participate in their Bible studies and worship times. “We know that this road we walk is narrow and difficult, so we continue patiently until we reach our goal,” the ministry leader said. Others have noticed how the Lord has transformed the three people who received Christ. Donations are sought for such evangelism and discipleship. Pray for a church among newly believing refugees.

Help Bring Salvation to the Lost in Turkey

A fellowship that began after people heard the gospel through social media has continued to grow. The Christians have shared the gospel with friends, and recently eight church members were baptized in a pool belonging to a relative. “Please remember them in your prayers, that no satanic deceptions cause them to drop away from this new step of faith in their lives, and that the fellowship grows in God’s grace,” the leader said. Local Christian workers need donations to proclaim Christ and strengthen the faith of new Christians. Pray the light of Christ would penetrate those who oppose Him and His children.

Provide Critical Aid to Refugees in Turkey

Refugees from Syria needing clean water, food and health care are facing even greater shortages because of runaway inflation. Local missionaries are helping to meet these needs, including distributions of rice, flour, sunflower oil, sugar, salt, lentils and baby food, along with clean water, soap and feminine hygiene items. “Everything is unfortunately very expensive,” the ministry leader said. “We are meeting their needs as much as we can with donations from you, and in this way we spread the Word of God.” Donations of $35 or $70 are sought to provide such aid to refugees. Pray for God’s protection over refugees who face persecution for receiving Christ.