Frequently Asked Questions
About Turkey
Where is Turkey? Turkey is the only country which lies on two continents: Europe and Asia. Turkey is neighbor to Bulgaria, Greece, Russia, Syria, Iraq, Armenia and Georgia.
What is the population of Turkey? Turkey has a population of approximately 80 million people
How many Christians are there in Turkey? There are approximately 3,000 – 4000 Turkish Christians in Turkey. Turkey is 99% Muslim.
What is the population of Turkey? Turkey has a population of approximately 80 million people
How many Christians are there in Turkey? There are approximately 3,000 – 4000 Turkish Christians in Turkey. Turkey is 99% Muslim.
What kind of government does Turkey have? Turkey is a democratic and secular country.
Where is Antalya? Located on the Mediterranean Sea, Antalya is one of Turkey's important historical and touristic cities. Antalya, part of the Pamphylia region, is a city which Saint Paul visited on one of his missionary journeys written in the bible. Antalya has a population of about 2 million people.
Where is Antalya? Located on the Mediterranean Sea, Antalya is one of Turkey's important historical and touristic cities. Antalya, part of the Pamphylia region, is a city which Saint Paul visited on one of his missionary journeys written in the bible. Antalya has a population of about 2 million people.
Christianity in Antalya, Turkey
How many Turkish Christians are there in Antalya? There are 250 Turkish Christians in Antalya.
What is it like to be a Christian in Turkey? There are many challenges for Christians in Turkey. When someone becomes a Christian in Turkey, they are often rejected by their family. It is hard for them to find a good job and sometimes believers lose their jobs because of their faith. Turks look at Turkish Christians very differently. When someone becomes a believer, they are no longer considered Turkish because Islam is so ingrained in Turkish identity.
Is there persecution towards Christians in Turkey? Turkish law gives Christians freedom to practice their religion and for sharing their faith. The government and police seek to protect the church and its activities but we do have pressure from outside groups.
Antalya Evangelical Church and other churches in Turkey have been attacked by nationalist groups. They throw rocks and set fire to church buildings. Over the years, some of our brothers and sisters have been killed for their faith. In 2007, five Turkish nationalists tortured and killed 3 Christians in Malatya Turkey. Not only these men, but many church pastors have been attacked by nationalist groups.
How do most Turks view Christianity in Turkey? 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.
What is it like to be a Christian in Turkey? There are many challenges for Christians in Turkey. When someone becomes a Christian in Turkey, they are often rejected by their family. It is hard for them to find a good job and sometimes believers lose their jobs because of their faith. Turks look at Turkish Christians very differently. When someone becomes a believer, they are no longer considered Turkish because Islam is so ingrained in Turkish identity.
Is there persecution towards Christians in Turkey? Turkish law gives Christians freedom to practice their religion and for sharing their faith. The government and police seek to protect the church and its activities but we do have pressure from outside groups.
Antalya Evangelical Church and other churches in Turkey have been attacked by nationalist groups. They throw rocks and set fire to church buildings. Over the years, some of our brothers and sisters have been killed for their faith. In 2007, five Turkish nationalists tortured and killed 3 Christians in Malatya Turkey. Not only these men, but many church pastors have been attacked by nationalist groups.
How do most Turks view Christianity in Turkey? 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.
The Church in Antalya, Turkey
What is the history of the Turkish Church in Antalya?
The Antalya Turkish church started in 1992. For 8 years, our congregation met in houses, picnic areas and other places because we did not have a suitable building to use. Later, we started to rent space at a cultural center building for our church activities. Before we came to this building, we were just 22 people. But now we are 178. Antalya Evangelical Church is one of the ten largest Protestant congregations in Turkey. Check out our Testimonies Page to hear about how some of our congregation came to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.
What denomination is the Antalya Evangelical Church?
Antalya Evangelical Church is a non-denominational church. Every year, we serve alongside many different church denominations from all over the world to further the Kingdom in Turkey for the Glory of God.
What is the leadership structure of Antalya Evangelical Church?
There is a leadership team that makes decisions for the church. There is a Deacon (Service) Group made up of members of the Turkish congregation that serve as advisers to the leadership team and carry out the functions and ministries of the church. In 2011, Elders of Antalya Evangelical Church were appointed.
What does daily life of the Turkish Church look like?
As a church body, we have five regular meetings in a week in our rented meeting space. These include: Sunday service, Youth Group, an educational in-depth Bible study course, Ladies Bible Study, Children’s ministries and a Prayer Meeting. In addition to these organized meeting times, the church members also take every opportunity to meet with each other or come together in homes for fellowship. Also, Pastor Ramazan and his assistants are available to meet with those who have questions, need prayer or counseling. The Lord has used this to grow the church both in number and maturity.
The Antalya Turkish church started in 1992. For 8 years, our congregation met in houses, picnic areas and other places because we did not have a suitable building to use. Later, we started to rent space at a cultural center building for our church activities. Before we came to this building, we were just 22 people. But now we are 178. Antalya Evangelical Church is one of the ten largest Protestant congregations in Turkey. Check out our Testimonies Page to hear about how some of our congregation came to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.
What denomination is the Antalya Evangelical Church?
Antalya Evangelical Church is a non-denominational church. Every year, we serve alongside many different church denominations from all over the world to further the Kingdom in Turkey for the Glory of God.
What is the leadership structure of Antalya Evangelical Church?
There is a leadership team that makes decisions for the church. There is a Deacon (Service) Group made up of members of the Turkish congregation that serve as advisers to the leadership team and carry out the functions and ministries of the church. In 2011, Elders of Antalya Evangelical Church were appointed.
What does daily life of the Turkish Church look like?
As a church body, we have five regular meetings in a week in our rented meeting space. These include: Sunday service, Youth Group, an educational in-depth Bible study course, Ladies Bible Study, Children’s ministries and a Prayer Meeting. In addition to these organized meeting times, the church members also take every opportunity to meet with each other or come together in homes for fellowship. Also, Pastor Ramazan and his assistants are available to meet with those who have questions, need prayer or counseling. The Lord has used this to grow the church both in number and maturity.
Church Projects
What is the Church Doing Today?
It is our ongoing mission to share the love of Christ with our community. We see this as an opportunity to bring praise to God in our hearts, in the community, and in the world. With this vision for expansion we have an increasing number of projects that allow us to go out beyond the confines of our present capabilities. This faith based effort is something that we ask you to consider as a partnership opportunity. Having completed our latest project in the Lara region we have set our sights on further areas of need in our community.
Below are two projects upon which we are presently focusing our prayer and efforts:
It is our ongoing mission to share the love of Christ with our community. We see this as an opportunity to bring praise to God in our hearts, in the community, and in the world. With this vision for expansion we have an increasing number of projects that allow us to go out beyond the confines of our present capabilities. This faith based effort is something that we ask you to consider as a partnership opportunity. Having completed our latest project in the Lara region we have set our sights on further areas of need in our community.
Below are two projects upon which we are presently focusing our prayer and efforts:
- Antalya Evangelical Churches - Konyaltı (West Antalya)
- Antalya Evangelical Churches - Retreat Center (Rural Antalya)
Prayers and Support
How can I help the Antalya Evangelical Church?
- You can pray for the Turkish Church. Without God’s power, we cannot have victory.
- You can pray for the growth and maturity of Turkish believers.
- You can encourage us and support our church vision to have our own building in Antalya by telling others about us, praying for us and giving to the building project fund.
- You can pray for our outreach efforts to our local community; and to the neighboring cities of Isparta and Alanya.
- You can come visit and serve along side us and encourage your Turkish brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Resources
Compass Direct – Turkey: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/turkey/
Christianity Today: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/turkeys.christians.still.concerned.over.safety.as.bible.worker.trial.continues/16276.htm
Open Doors Canada: http://www.opendoorsca.org/content/view/390/139/
Department of State – Turkey International Religious Freedom Report 2008: http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108476.htm
Christianity Today: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/turkeys.christians.still.concerned.over.safety.as.bible.worker.trial.continues/16276.htm
Open Doors Canada: http://www.opendoorsca.org/content/view/390/139/
Department of State – Turkey International Religious Freedom Report 2008: http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108476.htm