For Turkish people seeking Jesus, it can be difficult to build an accurate understanding of the Christian faith, find spiritual encouragement, and connect with a vibrant church. We recently heard from SAT-7 TÜRK viewer Ercan*, who overcame the odds to find Jesus and community in Türkiye.
“Changed My Life”
“I have been researching Christianity for many years,” Ercan said to a member of our Viewer Support team. “While researching, I came across SAT-7 TÜRK and started to watch your programs. I have been watching your Encouragement Hour program for a long time. On the program, prayers are being said, and prayers are being requested; it is great.”
Presented by Kanivar Bakır, Encouragement Hour is a twice-weekly social media program that helps Turks begin each day with Jesus’ peace and perspective. Now in its third series, the program features encouragement for life’s daily challenges as well as times of prayer and discussion.
“One day, while I was watching Encouragement Hour, your presenters said that you wanted to pray for me, and this encouraged me,” explained Ercan. After the show, the SAT-7 TÜRK team continued to support Ercan. “What encouraged me was the warmth and closeness,” he said. “SAT-7 TÜRK and the Encouragement Hour program have changed my life.”
Getting Connected
The transformation Ercan experienced correlates with his finding a community of believers. He has found joy in being able to regularly meet with Christians face-to-face. “There is no church where I live, but SAT-7 TÜRK directed me to a church,” he said. “I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, and I still happily attend church. These things are not easy in our country.”
In Türkiye, some Christian groups are officially recognized, but establishing a center of Christian worship can be a challenging process.
We were recently contacted by Asena*, another Encouragement Hour viewer, who shared a prayer regarding the situation for churches in Türkiye.
“We entrust the churches that are yet to be established into the Lord’s hands,” she prayed. “May the Lord ease this process, establish churches in our cities that do not have churches, and reveal the workers you desire there. Let us pray that their hearts would be prepared.”
Around the same time we received Asena’s message, we heard some great news from another SAT-7 TÜRK viewer, Ediz*: “With God’s help, we have recently established a church in our community,” he said. “Please pray for us.”
Being able to meet with other Christians is vital for believers in Türkiye, where they are a very small minority. “We must be connected to each other, and we should be united in our relationships,” said SAT-7 TÜRK viewer Musa*. “We should love one another and stand firm in true faith in Jesus Christ.”
Please Pray
- For Ercan, Asena, Ediz, and Musa to continue growing in faith and fellowship.
- For a Turkish Church that is well-connected, united, full of love, and standing firm in Jesus.
*Names changed for security reasons.
