Church in Mardin‍

In southeastern Turkey, 30 kilometers from the border with Syria, is the city of Mardin.‍

In the heart of Mardin is an old church that is more than a hundred years old. It is directly opposite the mosque, in a sense in the shadow of the minarets. In the past, this building had been confiscated from the believers and used as a stable and storage room. But eight years ago God opened the doors and the building was returned to the Christian believers.

This old church is now open to the public. During the last year alone, which was marked by the coronavirus, 200 to 300 worshippers passed through the walls of this building every week. Among them were Turks, Kurds, Iranians, and visiting tourists, all of whom had the opportunity to hear the gospel. Our brothers gave them a warm welcome, offered them tea and coffee, talked about their faith, and gave them Christian literature. Although it is forbidden in Turkey to hand out Christian literature, visitors are allowed to take anything that is displayed for them including a Bible or a gospel tract. In 2020, 9,500 copies of the New Testament were distributed in this way.

Because the demand is so great, there is a shortage of Bibles in the church. Together, let’s contribute to this ministry so that Mardin will never run out of Bibles so that believers can spread the good news to Muslims in the shadow of the minarets.

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The Church Building in Midyat

Midyat is a town located near the border with Syria in southeastern Turkey. On the territory of the old town there is a church building that is more than 100 years old.

The church building is currently closed and no church services offered. The pews haven’t been touched for a long time with a thick layer of dust that has settled on them and a garden that has been abandoned.

But God has a plan even for this building. Authorities have offered to let local Christians take over the care of the building for free. This would offer a wonderful opportunity to reach the Turks, Kurds, Iranians, and Syrians who live there with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, there was a need for an ordained minister to take on the work of rebuilding the church community and begin the ministry.

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