Our Journey Forward
APRIL / MAY / JUNE / JULY 2024
Dear Friends...
Greetings to you all!
Family
We are grateful for God's blessings in our lives and ministry. Our children had a successful year at school, and we thank God for their well-being. They are now done with the school year, and after a very busy season, we have had the opportunity to take things easy for two weeks. My wife Buse has been extremely busy as she actively helps with the ministry, prepares and cleans our academy for visitors and pastors, and manages church duties. Even though we are trying to rest a bit, she still actively ensures our lives are in order.
Greetings to you all!
Family
We are grateful for God's blessings in our lives and ministry. Our children had a successful year at school, and we thank God for their well-being. They are now done with the school year, and after a very busy season, we have had the opportunity to take things easy for two weeks. My wife Buse has been extremely busy as she actively helps with the ministry, prepares and cleans our academy for visitors and pastors, and manages church duties. Even though we are trying to rest a bit, she still actively ensures our lives are in order.
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Church
This past period has been exhausting due to numerous national meetings, academy sessions, international trips, and busy times at the church. By God's mercy, many beautiful things are happening in our lives. God has blessed our church; lately, our church has been active with new youths, and seeing them developing friendships has been great. Additionally, a new family will soon join our church and, hopefully, assist in leadership. This is very exciting for us, as we have been in need of another family to serve alongside us. One particularly proud moment was when Josiah did his first sermon translation, and he did a great job. It was emotional to see him serve Christ like this. We praise the Lord for all the developments at our church.
This past period has been exhausting due to numerous national meetings, academy sessions, international trips, and busy times at the church. By God's mercy, many beautiful things are happening in our lives. God has blessed our church; lately, our church has been active with new youths, and seeing them developing friendships has been great. Additionally, a new family will soon join our church and, hopefully, assist in leadership. This is very exciting for us, as we have been in need of another family to serve alongside us. One particularly proud moment was when Josiah did his first sermon translation, and he did a great job. It was emotional to see him serve Christ like this. We praise the Lord for all the developments at our church.
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Friends
One of the highlights for our family was visiting our dear friends Hakan and Luda in Moldova. This trip was both a holiday for Buse and me and an encouraging time with our pastor friend and his wife, who were expelled from Turkey. It was a blessing not only to visit them but also to have some of our friends come and visit us. These visits made the time even more special, filled with mutual encouragement and fellowship.
One of the highlights for our family was visiting our dear friends Hakan and Luda in Moldova. This trip was both a holiday for Buse and me and an encouraging time with our pastor friend and his wife, who were expelled from Turkey. It was a blessing not only to visit them but also to have some of our friends come and visit us. These visits made the time even more special, filled with mutual encouragement and fellowship.
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Via Christus Academy
In our academy, we recently had a Homiletics class taught by Dr. Tony Merida and a Pastoral Theology class led by Pastor Tim Bice. These sessions were very encouraging for all our pastors. Over the last twelve months, we have hosted pastors from 7 different countries, including our latest attendee from Turkmenistan, which was a great encouragement for all of us.
This summer will be a bit slower, focusing on writing projects and preaching at our local church. I will be going to England next week to build further partnerships with academics for our Pastors Academy. At this point, we need some help on the academic and financial side for our academy.
Building Project
We are working on a major project at the moment and appreciate your prayers, especially for our plan to buy a building. Our current rent will end in November 2025, and the costs are too high for us to continue renting. Purchasing a building will be financially and legally beneficial in the long term. Your continued support and care are deeply appreciated.
Also we have some minor health issues lately, we need your prayers on that end as well.
Blessings,
Kerem
In our academy, we recently had a Homiletics class taught by Dr. Tony Merida and a Pastoral Theology class led by Pastor Tim Bice. These sessions were very encouraging for all our pastors. Over the last twelve months, we have hosted pastors from 7 different countries, including our latest attendee from Turkmenistan, which was a great encouragement for all of us.
This summer will be a bit slower, focusing on writing projects and preaching at our local church. I will be going to England next week to build further partnerships with academics for our Pastors Academy. At this point, we need some help on the academic and financial side for our academy.
Building Project
We are working on a major project at the moment and appreciate your prayers, especially for our plan to buy a building. Our current rent will end in November 2025, and the costs are too high for us to continue renting. Purchasing a building will be financially and legally beneficial in the long term. Your continued support and care are deeply appreciated.
Also we have some minor health issues lately, we need your prayers on that end as well.
Blessings,
Kerem
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Family and Ministry: The Latest News
MARCH 2024
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Dear Friends,
I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to share a bit about what's been happening with us over the last few months. Health Challenges We've faced some health challenges lately. My sister Senem had to go through a big surgery, which was a scary time for us. I've also had some health issues that led to a few minor surgeries. Despite these tough times, we keep smiling and feeling blessed because of our faith and your support. A Much-Needed Break After dealing with health worries, we managed to take a short trip to the mountains. It was so nice. Josiah and David really enjoyed the snow, making the most of our time there. This break gave us all a chance to relax and have fun together. Exciting News from Our Church Things at our church are looking up. A new family will be joining us this summer, and they're eager to help out with our work. We've been praying for more hands to support our church, and their arrival is truly an answer to our prayers. A Special Class at Our Academy Our ministry is also doing well. We had a really interesting Church History class taught by Dr. Andrew Newell. Leaders from five different countries came to join us. It was held at our Academy for five days. We learned a lot, had great discussions, and encouraged each other a lot. It was a very uplifting time for everyone involved. Looking for More Helpers We're in need of more team members to help with our ministry work. We've been a bit short-staffed, so finding more people to help would be great. If you can, please pray for us to find the right people to join our team. Despite some of the challenges, we've also had some really good times. We're thankful for everything - the good and the hard times. Thank you for your prayers and support. They mean so much to us. Kerem |
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A Season of Challenges and Healing
DECEMBER 2023
Dear Friends and Family,
I hope this message finds you well. We've recently been through a tough time. My sister had a simple operation, but complications arose unexpectedly. She had to be rushed into intensive care and then into emergency surgery. It was a very serious, life-threatening situation. Our family spent hours praying outside the surgery room, turning to the Lord for strength and comfort.
Thankfully, she made it through, but her recovery has been challenging, with significant pain and a return to intensive care for a while. After about a week, she's now out and slowly getting better. Praise the Lord, she's okay, but this experience has been a shock for all of us. Because of this, we had to cancel our outreach event and our New Year's celebration was very different this year. Still, we're grateful to God for her recovery.
On my end, I've been dealing with health issues too. My chronic winter sickness is back, causing a lot of coughing and weakness... Through all of this, we continue to praise the Lord. We know He is with us, guiding and strengthening us during these times. Your prayers and support mean the world to us, especially now... Thank you for being part of our journey.
Blessings,
Kerem
I hope this message finds you well. We've recently been through a tough time. My sister had a simple operation, but complications arose unexpectedly. She had to be rushed into intensive care and then into emergency surgery. It was a very serious, life-threatening situation. Our family spent hours praying outside the surgery room, turning to the Lord for strength and comfort.
Thankfully, she made it through, but her recovery has been challenging, with significant pain and a return to intensive care for a while. After about a week, she's now out and slowly getting better. Praise the Lord, she's okay, but this experience has been a shock for all of us. Because of this, we had to cancel our outreach event and our New Year's celebration was very different this year. Still, we're grateful to God for her recovery.
On my end, I've been dealing with health issues too. My chronic winter sickness is back, causing a lot of coughing and weakness... Through all of this, we continue to praise the Lord. We know He is with us, guiding and strengthening us during these times. Your prayers and support mean the world to us, especially now... Thank you for being part of our journey.
Blessings,
Kerem
Inspiring Days of Learning
DECEMBER 2023
Dear Friends and Supporters,
We're excited to share with you about a recent event we had with Acts 29 and Via Christus Academy. We spent two inspiring days in Istanbul focusing on Church Planting, guided by our teacher Philip Moore. The study was centered around the Book of Acts, providing us with invaluable insights and lessons.
Although the event was brief, it was incredibly enriching. We had about 20-22 attendees, with some only able to join us for a day. Despite the time constraints, everyone left feeling encouraged and uplifted.
Such gatherings are vital for our continuous learning and growth in our ministry. We're thankful for these opportunities to come together, learn, and support each other in our mission.
Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support.
Blessings,
Kerem
We're excited to share with you about a recent event we had with Acts 29 and Via Christus Academy. We spent two inspiring days in Istanbul focusing on Church Planting, guided by our teacher Philip Moore. The study was centered around the Book of Acts, providing us with invaluable insights and lessons.
Although the event was brief, it was incredibly enriching. We had about 20-22 attendees, with some only able to join us for a day. Despite the time constraints, everyone left feeling encouraged and uplifted.
Such gatherings are vital for our continuous learning and growth in our ministry. We're thankful for these opportunities to come together, learn, and support each other in our mission.
Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support.
Blessings,
Kerem
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Fall Retreats in Turkey
NOVEMBER 2023
Dear Friends and Companions in Faith,
Warm greetings from the heart of Turkey! As we embrace the autumn season, I'm excited to share with you the wonderful moments we've experienced recently. Post our refreshing summer in America, life has swiftly returned to its usual pace. The kids are back in school, and amidst my travels to America for essential meetings and a conference, we've seen significant benefits for our Via Christus Academy.
A Tale of Two Retreats: Academy and Church Gatherings
We had the joy of conducting two distinct retreats, each with its unique spirit and focus. The Via Christus Academy retreat, held from November 13th to 16th, was a vibrant family affair with a total of 35 attendees, including families and children. We dove deep into the history of the Reformation, exploring not just the teachings but also the personal struggles and lives of significant theologians. Our goal was to draw lessons from their experiences that resonate with our current challenges and aspirations.
The church retreat, which took place from November 16th to 19th, offered a distinct and serene atmosphere. This time was marked by deep reflection and a strengthening of our communal bonds. Although we felt the absence of some members due to health or work commitments, the retreat was enriched by the strong sense of fellowship and unity among those who could attend.
A Celebration of Faith and Learning
The Academy retreat was particularly special, marked by the engagement and success of our participants in their exams and assignments. It was a testament to their dedication and our collective growth in understanding our faith's history and application.
In our church retreat, the highlight was welcoming Okan into our church family through baptism. His humble and fervent love for the Scriptures was a poignant reminder of the depth and beauty of our journey in faith.
Looking Forward: Upcoming Events
As we look ahead, our next gathering is a small conference in Istanbul focused on Church Planting – a vital aspect of our ministry. And, of course, we are eagerly anticipating the Christmas celebrations at our church, a time of joy and togetherness.
Special Note
I want to share something personal with you all. As you know, English is not my first language, and I often struggle to express myself as clearly as I wish in it. To help me communicate better, I've been using ChatGPT to refine my sentences. I'm learning a lot through this process, and I hope it makes my updates more enjoyable for you!
Gratitude and Looking Ahead
The overlapping retreats brought our Academy students and church members together, deepening our sense of community and shared purpose.
Your friendship, prayers, and support are the backbone of our ministry. Thank you for walking this path with us, as we continue to serve and nurture our faith community.
Grace and Peace
Kerem
Warm greetings from the heart of Turkey! As we embrace the autumn season, I'm excited to share with you the wonderful moments we've experienced recently. Post our refreshing summer in America, life has swiftly returned to its usual pace. The kids are back in school, and amidst my travels to America for essential meetings and a conference, we've seen significant benefits for our Via Christus Academy.
A Tale of Two Retreats: Academy and Church Gatherings
We had the joy of conducting two distinct retreats, each with its unique spirit and focus. The Via Christus Academy retreat, held from November 13th to 16th, was a vibrant family affair with a total of 35 attendees, including families and children. We dove deep into the history of the Reformation, exploring not just the teachings but also the personal struggles and lives of significant theologians. Our goal was to draw lessons from their experiences that resonate with our current challenges and aspirations.
The church retreat, which took place from November 16th to 19th, offered a distinct and serene atmosphere. This time was marked by deep reflection and a strengthening of our communal bonds. Although we felt the absence of some members due to health or work commitments, the retreat was enriched by the strong sense of fellowship and unity among those who could attend.
A Celebration of Faith and Learning
The Academy retreat was particularly special, marked by the engagement and success of our participants in their exams and assignments. It was a testament to their dedication and our collective growth in understanding our faith's history and application.
In our church retreat, the highlight was welcoming Okan into our church family through baptism. His humble and fervent love for the Scriptures was a poignant reminder of the depth and beauty of our journey in faith.
Looking Forward: Upcoming Events
As we look ahead, our next gathering is a small conference in Istanbul focused on Church Planting – a vital aspect of our ministry. And, of course, we are eagerly anticipating the Christmas celebrations at our church, a time of joy and togetherness.
Special Note
I want to share something personal with you all. As you know, English is not my first language, and I often struggle to express myself as clearly as I wish in it. To help me communicate better, I've been using ChatGPT to refine my sentences. I'm learning a lot through this process, and I hope it makes my updates more enjoyable for you!
Gratitude and Looking Ahead
The overlapping retreats brought our Academy students and church members together, deepening our sense of community and shared purpose.
Your friendship, prayers, and support are the backbone of our ministry. Thank you for walking this path with us, as we continue to serve and nurture our faith community.
Grace and Peace
Kerem
From Antalya to America
JULY-AUGUST 2023
This summer was extra special for my family and me. We hadn't been able to visit the United States for four whole years because of corona. Because of corona, nobody could travel to the US for a while.
We embarked on a fantastic journey across America, exploring over 20 different states. Our journey began in Georgia, and we ventured all the way up to Massachusetts, then West Virginia, Ohio, and Michigan. We spent some quality time in Michigan before making our way to Texas. From there, we headed to California and wrapped up our trip in Washington. We covered the entire distance by driving, totaling about 10,000 miles and spending 250 hours in the car. That's a whole lot of driving! It was a challenging journey for all of us, but we did remarkably well.
Throughout our travels, we marveled at the diverse landscapes and natural beauty of the United States. It was an incredible experience, and we couldn't help but thank God for allowing us to witness all of it.
During our visit, we also had the privilege of meeting up with our friends and dedicated partners. It was heartwarming to see them again after such a long time. During these reunions, I had the opportunity to preach, teach, and present about Turkey and our ministry. It was a wonderful way to share our mission.
In summary, our summer adventure was truly memorable. We're profoundly grateful for the chance to explore this beautiful country, spend precious time with loved ones, and spread the word about our ministry.
We embarked on a fantastic journey across America, exploring over 20 different states. Our journey began in Georgia, and we ventured all the way up to Massachusetts, then West Virginia, Ohio, and Michigan. We spent some quality time in Michigan before making our way to Texas. From there, we headed to California and wrapped up our trip in Washington. We covered the entire distance by driving, totaling about 10,000 miles and spending 250 hours in the car. That's a whole lot of driving! It was a challenging journey for all of us, but we did remarkably well.
Throughout our travels, we marveled at the diverse landscapes and natural beauty of the United States. It was an incredible experience, and we couldn't help but thank God for allowing us to witness all of it.
During our visit, we also had the privilege of meeting up with our friends and dedicated partners. It was heartwarming to see them again after such a long time. During these reunions, I had the opportunity to preach, teach, and present about Turkey and our ministry. It was a wonderful way to share our mission.
In summary, our summer adventure was truly memorable. We're profoundly grateful for the chance to explore this beautiful country, spend precious time with loved ones, and spread the word about our ministry.
