Connecting with diaspora peoples — people groups living outside their homeland — is often difficult. Opening a community center would give a team in a European city a legitimate presence in the Turkish diaspora community. Your gift will provide an identifiable space for gathering in an area of the city that is heavily populated with Turkish people so the team and its church partner can engage the community with the gospel in unique ways. Turks will see a place in their own community where they can find out more about Christ and the gospel in their own language. They will be able meet Turkish believers, hear their testimonies and receive a Bible and other evangelistic materials.
Additionally, the community center will provide a space to host seeker Bible studies and outreach events. The team will offer language classes and women’s health classes, providing Turkish women access to free pregnancy education in Turkish. Basic health and nutrition are often overlooked by diaspora Turks because it is not easy to find information in their heart language. Volunteer groups from the States will be able to host classes, workshops and other ministry-related events. A Turkish church would be able to use the space to gather for worship. This community center will serve as a lighthouse, shining light on Turks’ greatest need, their need for salvation through Jesus.
Opportunities Abound. We look forward to establishing a Community Outreach Center, a space to house our nonprofit focused on the Turkish community, host and launch community evangelistic outreach projects and prayer events, and provide space to gather small groups for meetings, trainings, and Bible studies. This center will also give us space to operate online and social media efforts and store printed material. We pray the Outreach Center will be the beginning of what will one day become a more expansive Community Center with the capability of hosting larger numbers of people and events. We can reach this goal as we partner together with you.
In June, we began searching for a rental property to meet our needs, fit our budget, and strategically poise us to engage the Turkish community. However, rising rental prices caused us to adjust expectations and raise our budget. We need $35,000 to cover the cost of one year’s rent, ready the property for use, and fund ministry needs for the first year.
Please join us in prayer:
From the mountain peaks of the Caucasus to the steppes of Kazakhstan, the heartland of Asia is a place of mystery, having been mostly off-limits to travelers for the last 2000 years. With its blue-domed cities, frenetic bazaars, and remote yurts, Central Asia captures the romance of the Silk Road. Ancient traditions, loyal relationships, and generous hospitality make up the foundation of Central Asian values. Once home to the early church, Islam is now the predominant religion of Central Asia. Architecture, dress, and cultural expectations are all marked by it's influence.
Political, religious, and cultural divisions have fractured Central Asia's governments and global relations. This instability has left people seeking an anchor for hope and peace. Jesus is their peace, but most of Central Asia's 365 million people have no knowledge of the gospel.Pray that as Central Asians will meet the life-giver and Prince of Peace so they can experience the abundant joy that Jesus offers.