Joe Willey with SAT-7 explains, “Turkiye is a republic with a parliamentary system. So there is the president or the executive branch; there’s a parliamentary branch, which would be the legislative branch; and then there is the judiciary branch. So that is a similar system and, at least ostensibly, it should be familiar to people in the West, particularly familiar to people in the UK or in the United States.”

Current President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been in power for more than two decades and is seeking re-election. Erdogan champions Turkiye’s Islamic values and has steered the country away from Western influence.

The main challenger for president, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, is a secular candidate calling for more freedom and democracy, and has promised to strengthen Turkiye’s ties with the West.

Sultanahmet, Turkiye (Photo courtesy of Fatih Yurur/Unsplash)

It’s a stark contrast, and the outcome of this election will have significant ripple effects down the years for this nation at a cultural crossroads.

Willey says, “It is, as I see it, a blending of cultures. It’s a land bridge with Istanbul and the Dardanelles on the West of the country. You have what is a very different Eastern influence on the East of the country, and the recent earthquakes that struck Turkiye and Syria were in the Southeastern part of the country.”

SAT-7 TURK broadcasts Christian programming via satellite television into Turkiye. In this Muslim-dominant nation, Christians are vastly outnumbered only making up around 0.2% of the population.

“SAT-7 Turk is truly ministering to what we at SAT-7 have called isolated believers. Isolated believers are those who are deeply committed to Christ, they’re deeply committed to their Christian faith, but they are in nations that are not considered Christian nations…. So SAT-7 is really reaching and filling a great need to encourage and disciple believers in Turkiye that otherwise would not have the support.”

These isolated believers are also serving as the hands and feet of Christ, especially in the wake of a devastating earthquake in February that killed over 50,000 people in Turkiye and Syria.

Churches in Turkiye went to quake-hit areas with emergency food and supplies, and even helped survivors dig through the rubble for loved ones.

The hope these Christians can offer through the Gospel is the greatest hope Turks can embrace — no matter the outcome of the presidential elections!

SAT-7 TURK (Photo courtesy of SAT-7)

Willey asks, “Pray that with the upcoming elections, as any nation that is having elections, we would pray that there would be a smooth transition, that those that are voting would be safe and free to cast their ballot. We are also praying for the nation, that there would be an acceptance of Christianity and Christians in Turkiye.

“Also, as in any country, there are disputes between different factions. We’re praying that those disputes would be handled peacefully, and we’re also praying that the rights of Christians, the rights of other religious minorities would be honored by the government.”

Learn more about SAT-7’s ministry.

Header photo of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, courtesy of Pixabay.

For one, Turkiye has one of the youngest populations in Europe, but also one of the highest rates of youth unemployment — hovering around 20%.

Also, many young Turks are walking away from the dominant Muslim religion. However, they don’t know where to go for truth and hope.

This is where ministries like SAT-7 TURK come in. Joe Willey with SAT-7 says, “SAT-7 broadcasts in the three major languages of the region — there’s Arabic, there is Farsi (which is a Persian language), and there is Turkish. SAT-7 TURK is the first and only Christian channel that is allowed to be broadcast on the government-regulated satellite called Turksat.

SAT-7 TURK (Photo courtesy of SAT-7)

“SAT-7 TURK is broadcast specifically in the Turkish language to over 50 million people that have satellite television and then also anyone with internet access, which is roughly at last count about 70% of people in the country of Turkiye.”

Turkiye’s elections may be this weekend, but young people have already seen how politics only go so far.

No matter how the nation votes, SAT-7 TURK is continually pointing the Turkish people to the Gospel.

Willey says, “SAT-7 TURK is filling a void…. This is a free channel that is available to people who are, let’s face it, disillusioned. They would say, ‘What is this? What is this about Christianity that’s different? What exactly is this Gospel? Why is it such good news?’ SAT-7 is reaching into that void and explaining the Good News of Jesus Christ.”

Pray for young people across Turkiye to embrace Gospel hope! Ask the Lord to infuse the nation with wisdom as they go to the voting polls this weekend and to trust the Lord with the results. Thank God for the ways He is working in Turkiye through a small but growing Church community.

To get involved and learn more about SAT-7’s ministry, Willey says, “You certainly can go to sat7usa.org and look at our work and where we serve.

“Learn more about not only Turkiye, but other countries in the Middle East and North Africa. You can get an idea of how SAT-7 is making God’s love visible, and also the difficulties that people in those nations have to overcome to be a Christian.”

Header photo courtesy of Meg Jerrard/Unsplash.

The rest of the population is grappling now with trauma and even survivor’s guilt in the aftermath of the earthquake.

Rex Rogers at SAT-7 describes how their staff in Turkey have been affected. “Many of them have family and friends, some of them grew up in this area…. It’s not that far away for them. They are expressing feelings of helplessness, [feeling] angry, lonely, fearful, [and] one that really caught me off guard is they’re experiencing shame.

“What they meant was even for like being alive or enjoying their coffee, it’s a kind of survivor’s guilt.”

(Photo courtesy of Horizons International)

SAT-7 TURK provides Christian satellite television programming across Turkiye and to Turkish speakers in Europe and Central Asia. Amidst their own grief, they are broadcasting Christ’s hope to an entire region dealing with survivor’s guilt.

Rogers says, “It can reach all these television sets throughout Syria and throughout Turkey. It broadcasts spiritual encouragement in the midst of trauma and despair. It points to a sovereign God who has not forgotten these victims.

“They’re preparing some additional interactive programs with pastors [and] Christian leaders who can provide answers for all that fear and loneliness and helplessness — hope, in other words — and they’re looking to learn more about the ways they can actually help.”

SAT-7 TURK is also fielding calls from people asking hard questions about God and faith and where to find hope in tragedy.

“We have a means of communicating spiritual comfort to isolated believers, isolated communities, isolated non-Christians whose hearts are open,” says Rogers.

(Photo courtesy of Horizons International)

“Pray God will work, as He always does, but in and through this tragedy to open hearts to the Gospel and the hope that’s offered and guaranteed in the Christian faith.”

Rogers also asks specifically, “Pray for our staff of SAT-7 TURK there in Istanbul, that they’d have wisdom and grace in how they respond to the earthquake issues on air and online, and that they’re able to give testimony of God’s sovereign care and faithfulness, because that’s what people are calling in and asking about.”

If you would like to learn more about SAT-7 TURK, click here.

Header photo courtesy of Horizons International.

Joe Willey with SAT-7 USA says, “Many mountainous areas are blocked by snowfall. It’s a beautiful, beautiful place. But the terrain itself has become, really, an obstacle for pastors who are trying to get to these remote locations.”

They may feel isolated from other believers. Families and neighbors pressure them to keep quiet about their faith. Willey says, “The school system is firm. Children are taught strictly how to think and how to behave. And because Christians are part of a minority group, and a small group of people, they’re often just told to be quiet.”

“Even though you live here, even though you’re part of the country, you really don’t have a say in normal life.”

SAT-7 reaches isolated Turkish Christians through satellite tv.

Shows like Essence of the Gospel explore discipleship, scripture, and theology. Willey says, “But here’s the great part. Not only is it for Christians to have a greater understanding of God’s word, but because it is a program on satellite television, people who are not Christians can tune in and learn about Christianity. They can come to an understanding of the Gospel that they normally would not.”

Christianity was once the primary religion in Modern day Turkey. Many New Testament letters were written to churches in the area. Ask God to strengthen rural Turkish Christians today.

You can support SAT-7’s work here.

The header photo shows a small village in Turkey. (Photo courtesy of Nedim Ardoğa, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)

Joe Willey with SAT-7 USA says, “Many families are really finding it difficult to meet their most basic needs.”

The Russian invasion of Ukraine

And that was before Russia invaded Ukraine. Russia is Turkey’s largest source of imports, and food from Ukraine stopped coming as well. The war has stalled any Black Sea trade.

Turkey has refrained from entering the same sanctions against Russia that many Western countries have. But they have supplied Ukraine with weaponized drones in the fight. Turkey supplied Azerbaijan with the same drones during its war with Armenia.

Homemade

The SAT-7 TÜRK show Homemade seeks to comfort viewers. Willey says, “The program focuses on family issues. Importantly, it promotes a Christian worldview. The program has been raising awareness of this financial impact on families, and it invites people to call or message the program while it’s on.”

“One viewer said, ‘This is very much needed right now for people all across the country.’”

The focus on family life is one that Muslims in Turkey can appreciate as well. Pray the show will act as a bridge between Christians and Muslims.

Willey asks readers to pray for God’s mercy during this difficult time. “There are many struggling to survive, and that’s not an exaggeration. Pray that SAT-7 will help raise awareness to the nation of Turkey that Christians care about anyone who is suffering.”

Header photo courtesy of SAT-7 USA. 

Joe Willey of SAT-7 USA says, “Recent rain and snow have caused a slight rise in Istanbul’s reservoirs, but it’s still a dangerous situation. Experts in the region say if there isn’t adequate rainfall in the next two to two and a half months, there will be water shortages in the summer.”

SAT-7 coverage

SAT-7 Türk has been covering the drought on its weekly news programs, as well as the show Worldview. Willey says, “Now, the presenters of this program, they not only focused on the drought and its implications for Turkey, but they also looked at the issue from a biblical perspective. They looked at how God has given us the responsibility to care for His creation, and how we have to act in accordance with His word.”

It’s a lesson the global church can tap into, as 2020 brought many catastrophic weather events and natural disasters, from wildfires to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more about the severe 2020 Atlantic hurricane season.

Pray Turkey will see more rainfall, and avoid water shortages this summer. Willey says, “Also pray that Christians would show compassion and wisdom in dealing with others during a difficult time. Because tensions can rise when there are shortages and problems. We ask that you pray Christians would be a great witness for God’s care and His love.”

Header image by alper şimşek from Pixabay.

The Turkish City of Izmir suffered the worst of the damage. The initial quake collapsed 17 buildings, killing at least 91 and injuring over 900. Days after the disaster, people were still being pulled from the rubble, including a 3-year-old girl who was trapped for 65 hours.

“My dad is from Izmir,” says Gülsüm, Deputy Director of SAT-7 Türk.  “I was born and raised in Istanbul, but I used to go to Izmir during summertime. I experienced some earthquakes, but they were usually 4.6 or 4.8. This is the first time in my life that I’m hearing of an earthquake that big in Izmir.”

SAT-7’s response to the earthquake

More rescue attempts in Izmir after the earthquake. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain)

The earthquake has greatly distressed many people in Turkey, Gülsüm says, “Many of our viewers are wondering whether the earthquake is a punishment from God. We were asked whether natural disasters occurred because we had angered God. . . . So we guided them into prayer. We prayed with them and we try to remind them that no, this is really not a punishment. We don’t know God’s ways. But this is not a punishment.”

SAT-7 Türk continues to cover the earthquake, giving people information and leading prayers for the people affected. The disaster left thousands of people homeless, and cold weather will arrive soon. Gülsüm says, “We are also publishing earthquake-related messages from various church leaders on our news page. By publishing these messages, we are also trying to build solidarity for Izmir among the Christian community.”

As the people of Izmir continue to live in fear and worry, pray God would comfort them and that many would find hope in Jesus.

Pray also that Turkey will begin constructing buildings able to better withstand earthquakes. Gülsüm says the country is crisscrossed by fault lines, and more serious quakes could come at any time.

The header image shows a child being rescued from one of the collapsed buildings in Izmir after the earthquake. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain)

The conversion has caused a lot of controversies. Many Christians are saddened by the move, especially as Christian icons in the church are covered up during prayers.

Ruins of Ephesus in modern Turkey. (Image by David Mark from Pixabay)

UNESCO has criticized the move, saying, “Hagia Sophia is an architectural masterpiece and a unique testimony to interactions between Europe and Asia over the centuries. Its status as a museum reflects the universal nature of its heritage, and makes it a powerful symbol for dialogue.” Read the full statement here.

Syria even has plans to build a replica of the Hagia Sophia that will serve as an Orthodox Christian church. Russia has promised to help construct this new building.

Rex Rogers of SAT-7 says, “It’s a beautiful facility . . . there are incredible frescoes and other kinds of paintings that are being restored. And of course, the dome is a magnificent architectural heritage. So it still stands. And we’re grateful for that, glad for it. We trust the Turkish people will value it. And whatever usage they put to it, its history is still there.”

Christian History in Turkey

And Christianity itself has quite a history in Turkey, Rogers says. “If you think about the seven churches that are mentioned in the book of Revelation, Ephesus, Smyrna, and Laodicea, for example, were all in what we now call Turkey.”

More carvings in rock formations in Cappadocia. (Image by Blue_man from Pixabay)

Some of these cities, Rogers says, are still incredible architectural sites today. He mentions Ephesus specifically: “They say something like 80% has not yet even been excavated. But there’s a magnificent colosseum there. The library is there, and the baths that the Apostle Paul himself probably used. The very sidewalks, if you will, where the Apostle Paul lived and worked.”

And Christian heritage in Turkey extends far beyond biblical times. Rogers talks about the region of Cappadocia, where Christians hid during times of persecution. “The early church fled and hid in caves and incredible rock structures that are in that part of the world. They had hewn out whole auditoriums and churches underground.”

SAT-7, Rogers says, aims to tell these stories about Turkey’s Christian history. “Our audience and the people we’re trying to reach are mostly not Christians, not believers, so our point is to present the positive claims of Christ and Christianity.”

Pray that many would hear these stories from ancient Turkey and be drawn to Christ as a result.

The header image shows dwelling places carved out of rock formations in Cappadocia, where early persecuted Christians fled. (Image by Erich Westendarp from Pixabay)

Turkey recently rejected the US State Department’s report, which placed them on a “Special Watch List” for a lack of religious freedom. Religious and ethnic minorities in Turkey continue to face threats and violence.

The vandalized churches are part of the Armenian Apostolic Church, which is the national church of the Armenian people.

Joe Willey, Marketing and Communications Manager with SAT-7 North America, says, “Two churches were vandalized in Istanbul. The first church suffered an arson attempt. After the arson attempt, another church was vandalized and had [a] cross removed. The suspect [of the first incident] reportedly made a statement to authorities blaming non-Muslims for the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The baptism of an ancient king who had persecuted Armenian Christians, but later became a Christian. Pray that many in Turkey would come to know Christ. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

COVID-19 has caused a lot of fear and uncertainty in Turkey and other countries, Willey says. “A loss of jobs, a weakened economy, and a disruption of normal routines have created a climate of stress.”

SAT-7 TURK’s response

SAT-7’s program WorldView responded to this vandalism first by listening. Willey says, “They consider current events. But then they turn to God’s Word to encourage Christians, but also to demonstrate God’s mercy to non-Christians.”

Specifically, the WorldView presenters turned to Acts chapter 10 and the story of Peter seeing a sheet being let down with many different kinds of animals in it. They encouraged viewers to see that God does not distinguish between different people groups. All are equally welcome into Christ’s kingdom.

WorldView encourages a healthy discussion on the issues of racial justice and unity. They’re examining the protests and the overall history of events through a biblical perspective.

As unrest and protests mount, Willey encourages Christians to pray for their brothers and sisters around the globe. “I think following this story, but also other stories on SAT-7 will help raise general awareness of difficulties that Christians face in the Middle East and North Africa. When you follow the plight of other Christians, it really does create empathy and your prayers become more focused.”

Christians in these countries face challenges difficult to understand in the United States, Willey says. “I have never witnessed a baptism at a church in which, by professing faith in Christ and being baptized, you are actually putting yourself or your family in danger. That’s never an experience I’ve had.”

Saint Gregory the Illuminator Church of Galata, the church in Istanbul that had a cross removed. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

SAT-7, a satellite TV ministry to the Middle East and North Africa, started SAT-7 TÜRK five years ago to reach Turkish speakers with the Gospel. SAT-7 TÜRK made history as the first Christian satellite channel on the government-regulated Türksat 4A satellite.

David Middleton with SAT-7 says, “To be actually accepted by the government and given a license and given the opportunity to actually broadcast our programming, in a sense, I think that that trust speaks partly to the reputation we have as a ministry.”

(Photo courtesy of SAT-7)

“The team [members] still turn the television on and pinch themselves when they see the channel broadcasting on the air live. It’s still a sense of thanks and gratitude that we have this opportunity.”

The SAT-7 TÜRK team is relatively small as far as media is concerned. Forty team members work full-time on the 24-7 broadcast.

In the next couple of years, SAT-7 TÜRK wants to grow the interactive aspects of their live programming, specifically on social media. The channel also wants to feature more dramas and high-quality programming that uses television to its full potential.

“Some programming tends to be low in its reliance on video so that, for instance, a speaker or a talk could equally be covered on radio. It’s not really using television to its full advantage,” Middleton says. “But programming like drama, you’re getting writers and people who have a real knowledge of the culture to express themselves…through the visual medium.”

With so few believers in Turkey, there is generally a lack of awareness about Christianity and even misconceptions about the faith.

“When we say that, for instance, Christians believe in the Trinity, that’s often misunderstood to mean that we believe in three gods. Or how our Scriptures have come to us and what we believe about them — that’s another area of misunderstanding.”

(Photo courtesy of SAT-7 TÜRK)

Middleton says that’s where SAT-7 TÜRK comes in. “We can offer a clear explanation of what we believe and offer perspective from our faith on different challenges and different cultural issues.”

SAT-7 is a partnership ministry working with different churches and ministries both in Turkey and internationally. They also represent many Christian denominations within the Church and are always looking for new connections.

If you would like to partner with SAT-7 TÜRK, click here!

To support SAT-7 TÜRK financially and advance the Gospel in Turkey, click here!

Finally, please pray for the Turkish people to know the love of Jesus. Pray for a spiritual revival and that God would use SAT-7 TÜRK for His glory in Turkey.

Middleton adds, “I would like to thank all of the people in the US who have supported what we’ve done over the years…. We’re grateful and thankful and realize that the work we do and the programs we’re able to produce and put on-air are very much a collaborative effort between many, many different people.”

Header photo courtesy of SAT-7.