Turkish Christians Find Hope in Reading the Bible and in Worship of Hope
by Staff
April 25, 2007
(christiansunite.com) - The first Sunday after the killing of three Christian workers: Necati Aydin, Tilman Geske and Ugur Yuksel, was a Sunday of Bible reading, prayer and worship in the protestant Church in Istanbul. Members of the church read from the Bible about the promises for those who die for the gospel and prayed for the families of the Christian brothers.The situation has given a unique opportunity to share the gospel of forgiveness to the Turkish nation on national television as the widow of one of brother said that she forgives the killers. The media has reported much from the funeral and the Christian hope has been shown to Turkey.
Rev. Johan Candelin, Finland, speaking not only for World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) but also for other Christians around the world and for many members of the European Parliament and other Parliaments presented condolences to the Turkish church.
Said Candelin: "What happened last week was spiritually "a coronation ceremony" when three faithful servants of Jesus were given the crowns of eternal life. Be assured that the followers of Jesus around the world stand with you in prayer and love and that the suffering you feel is felt by the global body of Jesus Christ today".
Candelin also challenged the global Church to pray for Turkey as this attack will not be the last one. As long as media in Turkey is continuing with the disinformation about "missionary activities" there will be more attacks. It is commonly understood by the Turks that "missionary activity" has a political agenda and is supported by foreign nations who want to split the Turkish society.
The Turkish Christians want the Turkish government to inform the nation that Protestant work is nothing bad and has only a spiritual not a political mission. It should also be said that a Christian Church is a good thing in a secular nation.
The Turkish Christians want to build the Turkish nation and they want to be good citizens. They are Turks and like Turk, they love their nation and support it.
According to Candelin one way to show love for the five children that now have lost their fathers is to give a love gift for their future education. This love gift operation is called "Operation Esther" after the five year old daughter of one of the killed Christians.
Gifts will be distributed via the Protestant Church in Turkey and anyone interested can contact Candelin for more information. (candelin@kolumbus.fi)
