Turkey's Protestants Face Rising Opposition

0 minutes read

In the last six months, Protestant congregations in at least five cities in Turkey have faced threats or attacks while the media and government ministers have been openly critical of Christian missionary activities in the country.

The most recent incident, according to a May 19 Compass Direct report, happened on May 18 when Wolfgang Hade woke to find a red swastika painted on his door and a hate note shoved underneath.  Hade is a German citizen married to a Turkish Christian and pastors a small congregation in Izmit.  The note accused Hade of being used to undermine Turkish values.  The church building has been targeted on several occasions since last Christmas.

Pray for Pastor Hade and the members of his congregation.  Pray for the estimated 3500 Protestant Christians scattered throughout Turkey who are facing opposition from various sources.

For more information on persecution in Turkey, click here.  A video news report on some of the opposition facing the Christian community in Turkey is available on VOMC's multimedia website, www.vomcanada.com.

  • Current Ministry Project

    VOMC helps to equip Christians by providing biblical and discipleship resources.

    Project Funds: Equipping the Saints

  • Country Information

    Population
    83,593,483 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Turkish (70-75), Kurdish (19), other minorities (7-12)

    Religion (%)
    Islam (99.8), other (0.2)

    Leader
    President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (2014)

    Government type
    Parliamentary republic

    Legal system
    Civil law system derived from various European continental legal systems

    Sources: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Turkey

    Prayerfully uphold those who have had their churches and places of worship taken over by a government that does not represent their beliefs, values or ordinances. Ask the Lord to oversee the mediation process as church officials and government representatives endeavour to work out a solution that is both honouring to Him and fair to all the members of the various churches. Despite the challenges experienced by the believers of this country, may they have a sense of God's reassuring presence and peace, knowing that one day He will reign supremely and justly over the entire earth.

Select a Region

Türkiye News

  • Gunmen Attack Worship Service
    The grounds of the church where the shooting took place.
    Santa Maria Catholic Church

    On the morning of January 28th, two gunmen entered the Santa Maria Catholic Church in Istanbul, Türkiye. Wearing masks, the men walked into the church, shot into the air, and then killed one person. Security footage shows the gun apparently jamming just before the men left.

    Read more...

  • Asylum Seekers Face Deportation
    Ninous Italiaee with his wife and child.
    Pastor Ninous Italiaee’s family before his detainment.
    Photo: Article18

    In the wake of the recent devastating earthquake, the focus of the world lately has been on Türkiye and northern Syria where, at the time of composing this Persecution & Prayer Alert report, more than 20,000 people have died as a result of the catastrophe. In addition, tens of thousands of survivors have been left homeless amid the cold of winter. Reports from Christians in an affected area reveal the extensive suffering taking place due to the loss of loved ones and the tremendous need for surviving victims to receive blankets, food and other important necessities required to sustain life.

    Read more...

  • Foreign Christian Workers Expelled
    Joy Subasiguller - Photo: Facebook / Joy Subasiguller
    Joy Subaşıgüller and her family
    Photo: Facebook / Joy Subaşıgüller

    Last year, at least thirty-five foreign Christian workers were expelled from Turkey, as their permits had been either revoked or denied renewal. So far this year, the number of those forced to leave the country has already reached sixteen. The latest of those workers are Joy Subaşıgüller and Pastor Zach Balon, both from the United States.

    Read more...

  • Teacher Dismissed for Social Media Posts
    Kusadasi, Turkey
    Kusadasi, Turkey
    Photo: Wikipedia / jpitha (c)

    A Christian teacher has been dismissed from her teaching job after the press accused her of conducting missionary activities through social media. Esma Bağci Kaya had been teaching religion and morality at the Hasan Fatma Onal Anadolu High School, a private school in Kusadasi, for the past two years.

    Read more...

View All

Türkiye Videos

 
Turkey: Andrew Brunson's Testimony
/component/allvideoshare/category/turkey.htm
 
Turkey: God’s Hostage, the imprisonment of Andrew Brunson
/component/allvideoshare/category/turkey.htm
 
Turkey: Malatya Martyrs
/component/allvideoshare/category/turkey.htm