CHURCH HİSTORY
Turkey is a significant nation both historically and geographically. Also, Turkey is home to many biblical sites such as: Ephesus, Colossae, Cappadoccia, Galatia, Perga, Antioch, and the seven churches of Revelation. Despite a Christian history, however today there is a 99% Muslim population. There are approximately 80 million people living in Turkey, but only 4-6 thousand are Protestant Christians. Turkey is the only country which lies on two continents: Europe and Asia. To the west is Bulgaria and Greece, Russia to the north, Syria and Iraq in the south, and Armenia and Georgia in the east.
Antalya Evangelical Church is located in Antalya, one of Turkey's important historical and touristic sites in the south of Turkey on the Mediterranean Sea. In Acts 14:24 and 25, we see that the apostle Paul visited Antalya on his missionary journeys. Today Antalya is a cosmopolitan city of over one million people from all around the world.
Antalya Evangelical Church was founded as a house church in 1992 under the leadership of Hans and Ann, a Swiss couple. The church slowly grew in size and had to begin meeting in picnic areas.
In 1999, the St. Paul Cultural Center was built in the busy Kaleici (old town) area of Antalya. It facilitates cultural activies and provides a home to the International Church and the Antalya Evangelical Church (Antalya Incil Kilisesi). When the Antalya Evangelical Church started meeting at St. Paul Cultural Center they were just twenty-two people. Over the past 16 years we have grown to 178 members and guests continuously are joining us for Sunday services.
Because the St. Paul Cultural Center was the first building in Antalya to facilitate both non-Turkish and Turkish congregations, it caught the attention of many people, either through the news (which gave good and bad reports) or by word-of-mouth. As a result, the Turkish Church has had many visitors. Almost every day, visitors come to see the church and find out about Christianity. Church staff members are available throughout the week to sit and talk with visitors about Christianity.
The people who visit the church have many questions about Christianity. Since the population of Turkey is primarily Muslim, many false ideas about Christianity are propagated. Much of what people believe about Christianity comes from what they have been taught in religious classes and what they have seen in popular media. Additionally, they equate Christianity with examples of European and Western lifestyles, which are not always consistent with Christian values.
Some of the misunderstandings Turks have about Christianity are quite severe. Many Turks have the idea that Christians believe in three gods as they cannot grasp the concept of the Trinity. They believe that Christians follow a book that has been changed over time as it has been translated into different versions. They have the understanding that sins must be confessed to priests and that Christians are free to have sexual relationships with anyone they want. Most of the conversations with visitors consist of correcting these misconceptions and sharing the gospel.
The people who visit the church have many questions about Christianity. Since the population of Turkey is primarily Muslim, many false ideas about Christianity are propagated. Much of what people believe about Christianity comes from what they have been taught in religious classes and what they have seen in popular media. Additionally, they equate Christianity with examples of European and Western lifestyles, which are not always consistent with Christian values.
Some of the misunderstandings Turks have about Christianity are quite severe. Many Turks have the idea that Christians believe in three gods as they cannot grasp the concept of the Trinity. They believe that Christians follow a book that has been changed over time as it has been translated into different versions. They have the understanding that sins must be confessed to priests and that Christians are free to have sexual relationships with anyone they want. Most of the conversations with visitors consist of correcting these misconceptions and sharing the gospel.
In addition to outreach activities, the Turkish church offers opportunities for the growth and discipleship of its believers. There are four regular meetings a week at the church. These include: Sunday morning worship, Prayer Meeting, Youth Group and the Ladies Bible Study.
On Sunday afternoons, the entire congregation comes together for a time of worship, teaching, and to partake in the Lord's communion. After the worship service, there is a fellowship time with tea and conversation in the Cultural Center garden. During the summer, members head down to the beach after Sunday worship to play volleyball.
On Sunday afternoons, the entire congregation comes together for a time of worship, teaching, and to partake in the Lord's communion. After the worship service, there is a fellowship time with tea and conversation in the Cultural Center garden. During the summer, members head down to the beach after Sunday worship to play volleyball.
Every Wednesday, there is a women's Bible study either in someone’s home or at the church.
In addition to these organized meeting times, the church members also take every opportunity to meet with each other or come to the Cultural Center for fellowship or counseling. The Cultural Center is not only a place to worship for Turkish believers, but it has also become a place to deepen relationships and to have fun. The Lord has used this building as a place to grow the church both in number and maturity.
The Antalya Evangelical Church Turkish congregation is 178 and by God's grace continues to grow. This growth has been the fruit of much faithful prayer.
In addition to these organized meeting times, the church members also take every opportunity to meet with each other or come to the Cultural Center for fellowship or counseling. The Cultural Center is not only a place to worship for Turkish believers, but it has also become a place to deepen relationships and to have fun. The Lord has used this building as a place to grow the church both in number and maturity.
The Antalya Evangelical Church Turkish congregation is 178 and by God's grace continues to grow. This growth has been the fruit of much faithful prayer.
Friday evenings, the college and young adults gather at the church. There are about 15 students and young professionals who join these meetings to worship and have fun. During the youth group worship time activities are varied. Sometimes, members break up into small groups and answer questions about a Bible passage or there is a time of singing and teaching. Sometimes, youth group members share testimonies from their own lives to encourage the others.