“Hear, O Türkiye, the Lord our God, the Lord is one!”
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. (Mark 12:29,NIV)
》 Country Profile
Continent | Middle East
Population | 83.04 million
Area | 783,562㎢, Located on the Mediterranean and Black Sea coasts connecting Europe and Asia.
Capital City | Ankara (5.31 million), Major city: Istanbul (15.63 million)
People Groups | Total 68 Groups, Turks 70.3%, Kurds 18.1%, Jazidi 2%, Kabardians 1.4%
Unreached People Groups | 45 (99.1% of the population)
Official Language(s) | Turkish
Total Languages | 56
Bible Translations | Completed 34, New Testament 11, Partial 7
Religion | Christianity 0.6% (Protestant 0.02%, Orthodox 0.4%), Islam 96.2%, Non- religious 3.1%
Evangelicals | 0.04%(34,000 people)
》 About Türkiye
Türkiye is the land where Mount Ararat, believed to be the resting place of Noah’s Ark, is located, where Abraham received God’s calling in Haran, and where the Antioch Church, the first Gentile church, and the seven churches of Asia Minor once stood. Despite persecution under the Roman Empire, believers of the early church preserved their faith in deserts, caves, and underground, but the region later came under the rule of Islamic empires. In the nineteenth century, Protestant missions began through American missionaries during the Ottoman period, but many Christian communities were destroyed amid the Armenian massacres and the collapse of the empire around World War I. Although missionary work resumed after the establishment of the republic, Christians in Turkey today continue to face social discrimination and pressure within a context of religious nationalism. Meanwhile, the Kurds, who make up about twenty percent of Turkey’s population, are an ethnic people with their own language and culture, yet they have endured long-standing discrimination without establishing a state of their own, and conflicts and armed struggles over separatist independence have continued for decades.
The economy still relies heavily on traditional agriculture, which accounts for about 18.4% of all jobs. The free-market economy has grown in the industrial and tourism service sectors. Industries like automotive, petrochemicals, and electronics have become more important, surpassing the traditional dominance of textiles and clothing in exports. The combination of modern industry and traditional agriculture has made Türkiye the 16th largest economy in the world. However, it faces a large trade deficit, and unemployment is high—about 14% of the total population is unemployed, and the youth unemployment rate exceeds 25%. Ongoing instability from events like coups, worsening foreign relations, military involvement in conflicts, and the COVID-19 pandemic have caused the Turkish lira to weaken against the dollar and euro, and inflation continues to rise.
Türkiye’s GDP per capita is approximately $15,665.
》 Scripture Focus
| Mark 12:27-34(NIV) 27 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!” 28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” 29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” 32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions. |
》 Prayer Points
1. Turkiye, once the birthplace of the early New Testament church, carried the mission of spreading the gospel for more than a thousand years. Over time, however, it became Islamized and emerged as a strong center of Islamic influence. In 1900, Christians made up 22 percent of the population, but today they account for only 0.6 percent. Because of Turkiye’s painful history of wars with Christian nations, conversion to Christianity is often regarded as an act of betrayal. Even so, we give thanks that more than 30,000 believers worship across the country in about 170 worship communities and underground churches. The Turkish Protestant Alliance (TeK) connects, protects, and supports evangelical groups and leaders, providing greater care for churches and believers facing persecution and martyrdom. Let us pray that the church in Turkiye, awakened by the legacy of faithful forebears who suffered and died for their faith, will stand firm in trust in the living God and obey the command to love God and one another. As some converts face the temptation to renounce their faith, let us pray that believers will not fear visible circumstances but will trust the Word of God and overcome in faith.
2. In 2007, two Turkish Christians and one German missionary were brutally murdered in Malatya. After twelve years of legal proceedings, five perpetrators were sentenced to life imprisonment, yet many believe that those who orchestrated the crime escaped accountability. Under the government’s pro Islamic policies, foreign missionaries continue to be expelled under accusations of being threats to national security. In this time of crisis, missionaries are making greater efforts to raise up local church leaders. In Turkish society, becoming a Christian is considered a disgrace, and converts face intense pressure and threats from family members, local communities, and the government. Many believers have lost their homes and jobs. Let us pray that the Turkish church will not be alarmed by persecution but will be filled with love that overcomes fear and with faith that endures suffering. May God raise up many believers and missionaries who will follow the Lord boldly despite slander and attack, and may the kingdom of God advance with power.
3. Many people groups and regions in Turkiye remain unreached by the gospel. Ministry among 19 million college students across 118 universities and over 1,000 colleges is urgently needed. Let us pray that the youth, raised in secular education, will recognize the falsehoods about Islam and open their hearts to the truth of the gospel. Turkiye also hosts about 4 million refugees—including 3.6 million Syrians—many of whom live in camps. Following the Taliban’s rise to power, a wave of Afghan refugees has arrived, now numbering approximately 130,000 in Turkiye. However, Turkiye has responded by erecting a 241 km border wall and building 200 watchtowers to block further entry. Let us pray for the Lord’s mercy to bring both humanitarian aid and gospel outreach to these vulnerable people. Among Turkiye’s 81 provinces, the Black Sea coast and the Central Anatolian Plateau are especially challenging regions to evangelize. The Turkish people—the country’s largest unreached group—requires earnest prayer. There are about 30 million Kurds globally, with roughly 15 million in Turkiye. Kurdish conflict and terrorism have fueled fear, hatred, and division nationwide. Let us pray for protection over churches planted among the Kurds and for the continued advance of the gospel among them. May entire generations and ethnic groups that have not yet heard the gospel encounter the living God, confess their sins, and be transformed into obedient followers of His Word.
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