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Turkiye (Turkey)
Turks are proud of their nation, which has seen rapid industrial growth and modernization. Unfortunately, Islam is considered by most Turks to be part of their national identity; it is hard for them to imagine leaving Islam even if they know little about its teachings and do not practice its tenets. Christians in Turkiye have limited freedom of worship. While there are few Turkish churches, believers boldly share Christ with their countrymen. Ongoing changes in Turkiye’s government have limited missionary activity and increased pressure on the small Christian community.
Major Religion
96 percent of Turks are Sunni Muslims who view Islam as a core part of their identity, even though most are not devout. Fewer than 1 percent of Turks are Christians.
Persecutor
Believers face a range of challenges from family members, neighbors, employers and the government. It is not uncommon for the government to assign police officers to a pastor or church for “protection” from threats by Islamic leaders. This is a way to monitor the activities of pastors and churches.
WHAT IT MEANS TO FOLLOW CHRIST IN TURKIYE
Pastors have been targeted in sophisticated assassination plots, and a missionary was murdered in 2019. Another missionary and two Turkish believers were brutally murdered in a highly publicized 2007 incident. Evangelism faces significant opposition in Turkiye, and Christian converts from Islam are harassed and pressured from all sides. Believers are opposed by their families, communities and all levels of government. Mature expatriate believers — many of whom have lived in Turkiye for decades — have long served in Turkish churches; however, the Turkish government has recently targeted these foreign workers for expulsion.
Access to Bibles
Bibles can be legally distributed in Turkiye, but there are few distribution points. Give Bibles
VOM Work
VOM responds to persecution and supports front-line workers’ Bible-distribution and church-planting efforts, especially in remote and unreached areas. Give to VOM’s Global Ministry
Pray for Turkiye (Turkey)
- Pray that believers facing opposition from family members, neighbors and the government will share their faith.
- Pray that national church leaders will be strengthened as many foreign church leaders are facing deportation.
- Pray for Iranian Christian refugees in Turkiye as they face potential deportation.
- Pray that the number of Bible distribution points will increase so God's Word will spread.
- Ask God for his protection over church leaders facing threats and assassination attempts for their faith.
