To Belong to Jesus is to embrace
The nation with him
Middle East Project Report - 11/16/23
Country background:
- This country hosts the LARGEST refugee population in the WORLD – 4 MILLION (source: UNHCR).
- 99.2% of this country’s population are considered Unreached with little to no access of the Gospel, no one to ask about the Gospel, as believers there are almost non existent.
- Only 0.03% of the country are evangelical Christians. (source: Joshua Project)
- There is an estimated of only 5,000 – 10,000 believers in country.
- About 2,000 – 3,000 workers are in country. But for every 100 workers, 80% leaves after 2 years.
Background
(*Name change due to security reasons)
Pastor *Paul, a Middle Eastern refugee, left his homeland with his family in 2013 to plant churches in Izmir, TUR. In 2016, he relocated to IST city to continue his mission of reaching the city’s growing population of asylum seekers and refugees.
Despite the significant influx of asylum seekers and refugees, there were no workers conducting services in Kurdish or Arabic within IST city. Pastor *Paul’s primary focus has been reaching out to these communities with the Gospel.
Over the years, Pastor *Paul has established two thriving church community that serves the needs of these vulnerable populations.
Before the pandemic struck in 2020, the church had set a goal to reach 10,000 individuals. However, when the pandemic began, they adapted their approach, utilizing social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram for evangelism. Most of their content was in audio format due to limited resources for audio-visual production.
IST City
IST city, being an expansive city covering 5,461 km2, the 6th largest city in the world, presents significant travel challenges. Commuting to and from their workplaces consumes approximately 4 to 6 hours on average due to the city’s vast expanse. (for comparison, Metro Manila 636 km2, Singapore 734 km2, and Kuala Lumpur 243 km2)
TUR’s Asylum Seekers Situation
The asylum seekers in TUR largely entered the country through smuggling routes and face challenges in obtaining refugee status due to the high number of existing refugees. TUR currently hosts the largest population of refugees globally, totalling around 4 million (source: UNHCR) – in comparison, Singapore’s population is 5.4 million.
Financial hardships are prevalent among these individuals, many of whom work gruelling 12-hour shifts in factories. Lacking legal documentation, they are often exploited as inexpensive labour. Additionally, their children are forced into factory work once they reach the age of 14, foregoing educational opportunities due to their undocumented status.
Current Ministry Activities
Presently, the church operates with a core team of four full-time staff members.
The church’s core ministries include:
1. Children’s ministry: Providing educational and recreational opportunities for children, many of whom have experienced trauma and displacement.
2. Youth ministry: Nurturing the faith and leadership potential of young people, who play a crucial role in their families and communities.
3. Worship: Offering a sanctuary of worship and praise for asylum seekers and refugees, fostering a sense of belonging and spiritual renewal.
4. Disaster relief: Providing humanitarian aid to those affected by natural disasters or other emergencies.
Challenges Faced
The church faces several challenges in its mission to reach IST city’s asylum seekers and refugees:
Language barriers: Many of the asylum seekers do not speak Turkish and Kurdish and Arabic services are not widely available, limiting the church’s reach to a significant portion of the target population.
Limited resources: The church lacks the financial resources and personnel to fully meet the needs of the growing refugee community.
Legal restrictions: As many asylum seekers lack legal status, gathering in unregistered religious spaces can lead to deportation and other legal issues.
Transportation difficulties: IST city’s vast size makes it difficult for asylum seekers to travel long distances to attend church services.
Future Plans
Equip church members with media skills: Providing training in media production and computer literacy will enable church members to reach a wider audience and generate online income, reducing their reliance on labour-intensive factory jobs.
Accelerate Gospel-sharing through media: Leveraging the power of media, particularly social media platforms, to spread the Gospel message to a broader audience.
Secure a permanent location: Finding a suitable space for the church to gather will provide a stable and welcoming environment for worship and community activities
Prayer Requests
The church seeks prayers for:
Wisdom and guidance: Navigating the complex challenges of reaching and serving asylum seekers and refugees requires divine wisdom and guidance.
Financial support: The church needs financial resources to expand its ministries and provide more effectively for the needs of the community. And a space where they can meet weekly, and freely.
Legal protection: The church prays for protection from legal issues and the ability to operate freely and openly.
Spiritual growth: The church prays for the spiritual growth of its members and the continued expansion of the Gospel message among asylum seekers and refugees.
Conclusion
Pastor *Paul and his team’s dedication to serving IST city’s asylum seekers and refugees is a testament to the power of faith and compassion in the face of adversity.
Despite the challenges, the church continues to grow and make a positive impact on the lives of those it serves. With continued support and prayers, the church is poised to play an even greater role in sharing the Gospel and providing hope to those who have been displaced from their homes.
(*Name change due to security reasons)