Soner Tufan serves as the spokesperson for the Turkish Protestant Alliance. He says it all started when Turkey imprisoned American pastor Andrew Brunson. This came 2 years after an attempted coup in Turkey.

The government claimed Brunson had ties to terrorist organizations. Tufan says, “The Turkish Government had many difficulties because the American government pushed a lot [with sanctions]. And it was too much pressure. That’s why our government created new ways to deport the foreign missionaries from Turkey.”

Turkish Protestant Churches

Turkey accused these missionaries of being terrorists as well. But most of them had lived in Turkey for years and were very active in the Church.

Tufan says Turkish Christians will need to adjust. “This shows that we need more local leaders. Also, we need more people. Please pray that more people come to Turkey, that more missionaries come to Turkey.”

“Also, pray for the victims, because they have to leave the country. Some have lived in this country for 35-40 years. Turkey is their hometown.”

Pray Turkish Christians would feel their connection to the Global Body of Christ. Tufan says, “The government would like to make the Turkish Protestant church lonely. They would like to cut the relationship with outside churches.”

Christians also face increasing hostility in Turkish culture, Tufan says, “People are especially using social media for threats and hate speech.”

Political dealings

Tufan says he expects the European Union Court will reverse the deportation decisions, but many of the missionaries will not return. They have moved on with their lives and settled their families in different countries.

Tufan would like more interaction between Protestant churches and the  Turkish government. But, “The problem is, they don’t reply. They don’t answer our calls.”

Header photo courtesy of Engin_Akyurt on Pixabay. 

Soner Tufan works with the Association of Protestant Churches in Turkey, a network of about 40 churches. He says 28 of those deported were Americans, with the rest from Britain, South Korea, Latin America, and other nations.

Distrust of Christians

Tufan says this pattern has developed due to distrust and hatred of Christians in Turkey. “The first day I became Christian, my older brother broke my nose. Just because I became a Christian. That day, I accepted this kind of life.”

“The church has a big problem with worship houses. There is no freedom to build our churches in Turkey.”

Additionally, Pastors in Turkey have no way of getting trained. Tufan says, “There is no Bible College. Also, we need to pray for the young generation. It’s really difficult to raise godly children in Turkey. I have three children. All of them went to school where they were the only Christians.”

When Christians try to register as Christian instead of Muslim, they have to take several extra steps. And when Christians die, it can be difficult to find a place available to bury them.

Planting more churches

Tufan hopes to plant more churches in the future with the help of Asian Access. He has partnered with Asian Access for many years. “When we came together, we really clicked with each other. And we liked the philosophy of Asian Access. They have flexibility. They respect the local people’s identity, their culture, and their way of working.”

Ask God to protect Christians in Turkey and to grow the Church.

Header photo courtesy of Samueles on Pixabay.