WOW!  What a trip.  Rob and I returned early Monday morning, October 4th, from eight days in Turkey.  While there we joined a prayer tour of the sites of the seven churches of Revelation, participated in Celebration Ephesus (a historic gathering of believers in the amphitheater described in Acts 19), and did some videotaping for a CRI project.  We were both aware of the gracious hand of the Father in every step of the journey.

A Bonus En Route

    Because of foggy weather we missed a flight connection in Vienna, Austria, and had six hours in that beautiful city.  We escaped from the airport to look around downtown Vienna.  Would you believe it?  There is an Ephesian museum in Vienna!  (To my knowledge there are only three museums in the world that feature Ephesus.  One is in Selçuk, Turkey.  Another is in London, England.  And the third is in Vienna.)  The Father rearranged Austrian Airlines’ flight schedule and shepherded us to a delightful unexpected bonus.

A Land Locked Up Tight

    Turkey is a nation of almost 70 million people, 95% of which are Muslim.  It is reported by the World Prayer Center in Colorado Springs that there are only 500-1500  evangelical Christians in the entire country.  Society there is structured to promote and protect Islamic principles.  It is illegal to seek the conversion of their citizens to Christianity, although you can answer questions about your faith if asked.  One morning before daylight I was walking in a small park near our hotel in Pergama.  At six o’clock a call to prayer began from a minaret nearby.  Soon a haunting, musical chant was coming from all directions as the population was being urged to pray all over the city.  I remember feeling somewhat intimidated by the oppressive atmosphere of this nation.  It seemed to me that Satan had the population in a maximum security lock-down. The Lord reminded me that in my lifetime I’ve seen the fall of communism.  No man or nation had engineered that collapse, but God brought it to pass.  He could open Turkey to the gospel without breaking a sweat.  Since that moment I have been able to pray with confidence for the transformation of the Turkish people through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Celebration Ephesus

    On October 1st, three to five thousand believers from 50 to 70 nations gathered in the ancient amphitheater in Ephesus to celebrate our Lord Jesus and to pray for Turkey.  Most of those who gathered had spent the preceding week criss-crossing the nation in groups of 20 or so.  The smaller groups were praying wherever they went for a mighty breakthrough by the Spirit.  Now we were congregated for four hours of praise, prayer and scripture reading.  The exuberant worship featured colorful banners, gifted musicians, dancers and the joy of the Lord.  $70,000 was collected for earthquake relief.  The celebration ended with a 100-voice Korean choir leading in the Hallelujah Chorus by Handel. Few seemed to want to leave when it was over.  Turkish TV and newspapers gave consistently favorable covering of the event.

Amphitheater Worship Team & Dancers

(Click on pictures for full view)

Encountering His Glory

    As exciting as the corporate worship in the amphitheater was, it was during the next day that I experienced the highlight of the trip for me.  About 10 of us were walking to the Ephesian Museum in Selçuk when I spotted a sign over a door:  Ephesian Protestant Church.  A couple of the guys crossed the street and found a young Turk who identified himself as a member of the church and agreed to let us step inside to see the facility.  This small church also operates the Tyrannus Bible School.  (You may remember in Acts 19:9 Paul taught the new Ephesian congregation for two years in the School of Tyrannus.)  We gathered in a circle to pray and the glory of God descended!  After prayer I embraced this young soldier of the Lord from Turkey.  I still see his face and ask you to pray for him and this church placed in a strategic outpost.

    Rob and I are still “processing” this trip.  The Lord blessed abundantly and we appreciate each of you who prayed for us and for Turkey.  Please do not cease to pray for Church Renewal, Inc.  These are challenging days and it seems that God has opened a wide door of opportunity.  Blessings to you all.