So often we think things are way easier than they may appear. For instance lifting a car. Looks easy but only a handful of people can do this. This is sort of the same feel when it comes to church planting. This, along with many other things, is one of the biggest take aways from my month in Turkey. From the outside church planting looks easy but there’s a lot more that plays into it.
The lack of community, the struggle to find a place to hold church services at for others to eventually join. The slow depletion of energy as one may end up having as they pour themselves out for others because they not only know the importance of community with what few believers may be known and around; but also the depletion of energy as one sees how important it is for others to know about who Jesus is because He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). On top of this trying to hold it all together as one not only serves the community they are in and around but also as one tries to balance taking care of a family on top of it all. I witnessed this and heard the testimonies of this firsthand.
In Turkey there’s a lot of Biblical history. You have Ephesus and the churches from the book of Revelation along with many others. However, today Turkey is very much large majority a Muslim nation with of course underground churches. This plays a part in how church planting can be hard. The location I was in for Turkey with the pastor and his family I shall not mention. But I did hear how difficult it was for them to find a place to rent to hold church services. By the grace of God they eventually found a place; but because it was Christians looking for a place for people to gather in a Muslim country many hardened their hearts and refused to allow them to rent there. On top of all this they very much encountered a huge lack of community due to there being a little bit of Christians around but also because of the pandemic. They ended up starting the church right around the time of the pandemic which added onto the lack of community as of course no one was able to gather. Imagine being a family of Christian believers starting a church in a Muslim nation with little to no community during the pandemic. That takes boldness. That takes courage. That takes faith.
With few believers in the area they even minister to believers in other parts of Turkey that are 4 hours away or more. I’ve witnessed from this family not only what fruitful church planting looks like but also what being the Church should look like. Sacrificing their time and energy and even resources to not only be a loving and stable family but also to spend long hours traveling to visit others to encourage them in their faith and relationship with the Lord. Or even staying in their city/town to spend long hours with those they are ministering to their. My team collectively witnessed many moments in which this family exemplified being the Church. Such as being there for multiple families who lost a loved one and mourning with them. Such as helping build up, teach and steward new believers or people who maybe are thinking about coming to Christ. Such as using their own money though they may have little compared to the US to bless a bunch of crazy God-fearing Americans with a delicious treat.
Yes it can be tough! Glad God is showing you beautiful things! And hopefully you got me some Turkish Delight?! 😉 haha kidding
Beautifully written and communicated!
What lovely people you met. Not only were they a good example to you, they are a good example to all of us as to how the church should look, act, and be. I think their selflessness is even one more reason to lift them up in prayer. They need renewed strength and energy, and continual touches spiritually and in their family. This is precious!