Turkey cracks under mounting pressure

Turkey (MNN) — In case you haven’t noticed, Turkey is reaching critical mass.

At last count, more than 2 million Syrian and Iraqi refugees are taking shelter from ISIS within Turkey’s borders. More are coming every day.

Fighting between Turkey’s government and rebel forces is inching the country toward civil war, which leaves these refugees with dwindling options for a safe haven. An election coming up in November holds the potential for even more unrest.

Furthermore, ISIS hasn’t relented in its pursuit of a global Caliphate. Last week, the Islamic State intensified its efforts to take a key border town on Turkey’s doorstep.

Yet amid a darkening atmosphere, evangelical Christians are holding out hope.

Hope amid chaos

Standing firm on the words of Isaiah 54:17 — “No weapon formed against thee shall prosper,” Turkish believers aren’t letting circumstances stop them from helping people in need.

“One of the things we’re attempting to do is build coalitions of Protestant and Catholic churches who are working together to help meet some of the needs of the refugees that are in Turkey,” says Rody Rodeheaver of International Needs.

“There are two million of them there, so there’s plenty of need.”

Learn about their program for refugee children here.

Along with Action Bibles for kids, International Needs is providing for the needs of entire families. Through local churches, International Needs is giving food, small refrigeration units, and mattresses to refugee families.

International Needs is providing plenty of help and hope, but they can’t do it without you.

Why it matters

Because of Turkey’s growing challenges, International Needs has fallen approximately 32% behind budget.

“We are seeing some deficits just because of the unrest. People are not sure what to do, so people become tentative in their support of the ministry,” Rodeheaver shares.

When a gracious friend learned about International Needs’ shortfall, he took action.

“His response was to cover 10% of the shortfall and ask me to use his gift as a challenge to others to step up and erase the shortfall,” shares Rodeheaver in a recent e-mail.

You can help now through an online donation here, or send a check to International Needs and specify “INTR Ministry Support.”

“It is a very complex situation,” Rodeheaver admits, in reference to the refugee crisis.

“But, it is a situation that– as believers–we need to address.”

What do you think? Should Christians respond differently to the refugee crisis than non-Christians?

Let us know your thoughts in the Comments Section below.