Maha Mission Istanbul

The Maha Mission organization has set it's sites on Istanbul. We have received a detailed letter remarking on the current Christian status of the land. Under the Health Care section of our website, the Maha Mission visit to Africa led to our shipment of medical supplies. This current Istanbul retreat describes the evangelical mission of Maha. Going through great lengths and placing themselves in the line of danger, Maha Mission and the brave people of Istanbul huddle together to hear the Gospel of Christ. Learn more about the journey through the below written words from Maha and by viewing our gallery Istanbul photos.

Twenty million live in Istanbul, while Turkey has a population of 79 million in an area of 780,000 sq. km, about 8 times bigger than Korea (South). Istanbul is in a strategic location, “Bosporus” (means Cow
Crossing) channel which connects the “Black Sea” and “Maamara Sea”, passes through the city. Maamara Sea is again connected to Mediterranean Sea by “Dardanelles Channel”.

Therefore, Istanbul has two parts; “Istanbul Eurpoe” and “Istanbul Asia."

The highest mountain, “Ararat” (5,137m) is one of mountain where Noah’s Ark could have landed. Turkey has frequent earthquakes because it lies just below one of major faults. In 1999, 18,000 died of major earthquake.

98% of population is Islam (mostly Sunis, 20% “Alevis” and “Shiite”) and only 5% is extreme conservative. They have a relaxed obligation/attitude such as 5 times a day prayers. They usually are permissive in their practice and their attitudes to Christians are generous.

2,000 years ago, Apostle Paul and John have evangelized this country, and we are so familiar with it, but now it became an Islam country. Here we have to reconsider our mission strategies.

We are thankful to them (Islam in Turkey) because they correctly call us (Jewish and Christians) as “the people of the Books”, a revealed religion through namely “Tora” (5 books of Moses) for Jewish and “the Bible” (Book of words for Christians), ahead of (earlier than)them.

A Romanian missionary David timely has called me and introduced SDA pastor Gheorghe (deliberate miss spelling) who later came to airport to receive me.

Although Pastor Gheorghe takes every caution, he is not afraid (in Christ) of being revealed of his identity for his work. He is aided by Turkish Elder Shane (wrong spelling). Two years into his Turkish ministry, he wishes to remain his life in Turkey if God let him.

By the mere fact that Turkey is an Islam country, mission in Turkey is not flexible; the same token, any Turkish person accepting Jesus means he is determined to be expelled from his community and even from his home.

Two days of Bible study at church proves how difficult and rare it is to evangelize even one single person, therefore, how he is so valuable…four persons were around to teach one person; the pastor, his wife, an interpreter, and an elder. One Turkish person seems to light up the entire church for joy.

About 95 show up on Sabbath. Most non-members are curious participants. Pastor Gheorghe has requested me just one favor; not to mention “mission” directly. Some persona non grata (Adventists usually do not use this word, do we?) might be sitting among congregation. If a missionary cannot talk about mission, then I had to talk about “salvation”, which the pastor happened to comment that Turkish people are especially interested in “salvation”. This is one labyrinth of hope for the edge of gospel, the Truth about salvation.

Someone has painted on outside wall of church with mediocre painting quality. Our church itself is outlaw, thus cannot complain openly.

There is no guarantee how long and how safely they can worship in this church. However, I am sure this church will prosper and grow. Slowly but steadily they will grow. God will bless and protect this small group of people who even with dangers they dare to deliver Good News to people in Turkey.

Maha Mission plans to visit again end May 2010 and at that time we want to visit 7 churches of the book of “Revelation”.

We need your prayers for this almost lost country of New Testament of Turkey so that apostle Paul and John’s works would not be in vain.

Maha Mission