TURKEY | JAN. 15, 2025 — Armed Men Stopped from Entering Turkish Church
TURKIYE — Armed Men Stopped from Entering Turkish Church
Christians make up less than one percent of Turkiye’s population and some churches have been attacked by extremist Muslims.
On November 3, 2024, shortly after worship services and during the Sunday school hour at an Istanbul church, someone rang the bell.
A member opened the door, and two unknown men asked to come inside. She told them it was not possible at the moment. Local police officers who were guarding the church then intervened and took the men away. The pastor had previously faced death threats, prompting police to watch the church. Later, the pastor asked officials what happened and was told the men had guns but that the guns were licensed. The pastor asks Christians to pray for the church and for its members to be protected. He also asks that people pray for God’s peace to fill their hearts and minds, especially his wife’s, so the stress doesn’t impact her health. The pastor wrote, “For me, I am usually the target in such situations (Matt. 26:31). But I am not a hired shepherd; I do not leave the sheep” (John 10:12–14).