Church and Via Christus Academy Retreat Update
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
Family
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.
Via Christus Academy
JUNE 2023
I'm excited to share the highlights of our Summer 2023 Pastors Academy, a pivotal part of our ministry. In June, we embarked on an enriching journey into Biblical Theology, with Dr. Bryan Blazosky from Bethlehem College and Seminary in Minneapolis as our dedicated teacher. Five intense days of study, totaling 25 hours, renewed our understanding of God's Word.
Amidst our pursuit of understanding the God's Word, we discovered moments of relaxation and fellowship, enjoying games like Bocce ball and darts, and relishing in delightful meals together. We were privileged to welcome leaders from across Turkey and even Moldova. Our chapel times filled with worship drew us closer to our Lord, and our group sessions allowed us to deepen our connections, learning how to support and pray for one another.
Amidst our pursuit of understanding the God's Word, we discovered moments of relaxation and fellowship, enjoying games like Bocce ball and darts, and relishing in delightful meals together. We were privileged to welcome leaders from across Turkey and even Moldova. Our chapel times filled with worship drew us closer to our Lord, and our group sessions allowed us to deepen our connections, learning how to support and pray for one another.
Via Christus Academy
MARCH 2023
We have used our church office for Academy trainings over the years. But we had been praying for a while that God would provide us with a building. The Lord has finally provided a more beautiful place than we imagined. We rented this new building for 3 years. We prepared our new building for training after about 3 months of work.
Many pastors from many parts of Turkey, Moldova and Bulgaria attended our training. Our training took about 5 days, as we studied the Introduction to the New Testament. Dr. Stiekes came from US to teach us. This was such a blessing to our souls.
Please continue to pray that this new building will be a blessing to church leaders for many years to come.
Many pastors from many parts of Turkey, Moldova and Bulgaria attended our training. Our training took about 5 days, as we studied the Introduction to the New Testament. Dr. Stiekes came from US to teach us. This was such a blessing to our souls.
Please continue to pray that this new building will be a blessing to church leaders for many years to come.
Earthquake Update
FEBRUARY 2023
Hello all
One of my friend (Haniel) prepared the following update about the earthquake. I would like to share with you.
Please remember us in your prayers.
Kerem Koç
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As you have likely heard, South-Eastern Turkey was struck in the early hours of this past Monday morning with a 7.8 magnitude earthquake, followed by a 7.6 magnitude aftershock just a few hours later. Thousands of buildings have collapsed as a result, many of them with families still inside.
The last few days have been heart-wrenching. At the time that I am writing this update, over 31,000 bodies have been recovered from the earthquake wreckage in Turkey, and over 5000 in Syria. Many fear, however, that the worst news is yet to come. Progress has been painstakingly slow, as slabs of concrete are carefully moved with hopes of finding survivors. Yet giant heaps of rubble remain, with families trapped underneath, in bitter-cold temperatures. The likelihood of finding people alive are fast diminishing, and the death toll is expected to rise sharply in the coming days.
People are traumatized and feel helpless. Many are out in the cold, as they have been advised not to re-enter their buildings due to possibilities of aftershocks. There have been more than 200 aftershocks since Monday (Feb 6th) ranging between 4-6 in magnitude.
Antalya is about 800km west from where the earthquake struck. Although tremors were felt, there was no damage in Antalya or it’s vicinity. However, many of our friends are grieving. Being the fastest growing city in Turkey, many easterners leave their hometowns and move to Antalya and other western cities to find jobs and help provide for their relatives. Many have lost loved ones, and others are waiting for news.
Please pray. Pray for the many people who have lost relatives, friends, and homes. Pray for the emergency workers, that they would have the strength to diligently carry on the rescue operations amidst the harsh weather conditions. Pray for the churches in the affected area, that they would shine brightly during this dark time as they help in practical ways while holding out the hope of the gospel. Pray for the churches in Antalya as well. They are gathering resources to send out to the affected areas. In addition to this, the president announced that the hotels in Antalya will temporarily house families whose homes have been destroyed. Pray for our brothers and sisters, as they will likely have many opportunities over the next weeks and months to interact with and care for the displaced families who are grieving without hope. Pray that some of the sadness would be turned to joy as people find hope in Christ.
If you would like to support the rescue and relief efforts, please do so through the İlk Umut Derneği (First Hope Association). This is a Turkish Christian non-profit organization that provides aid in various forms during crisis situations. They were among the first to respond to the earthquake, and came equipped with provisions of food, shelter, warm clothes, hygiene kits, generators, as well as teams that are trained in search and rescue. İlk Umut is run by pastors and church leaders, and is highly regarded for their transparency and swift response to crisis situations. To donate, please click on this link: İlk Umut Derneği – Contribute – Natural Disasters. The current exchange rate is about 18 Lira per USD. Please bear this in mind when donating in Lira, or click on the currency tab to donate in USD.
Thank you for your prayers and partnership. Please let us know if you have any questions.
In Christ our hope,
Haniel and Michelle Davy
One of my friend (Haniel) prepared the following update about the earthquake. I would like to share with you.
Please remember us in your prayers.
Kerem Koç
---
As you have likely heard, South-Eastern Turkey was struck in the early hours of this past Monday morning with a 7.8 magnitude earthquake, followed by a 7.6 magnitude aftershock just a few hours later. Thousands of buildings have collapsed as a result, many of them with families still inside.
The last few days have been heart-wrenching. At the time that I am writing this update, over 31,000 bodies have been recovered from the earthquake wreckage in Turkey, and over 5000 in Syria. Many fear, however, that the worst news is yet to come. Progress has been painstakingly slow, as slabs of concrete are carefully moved with hopes of finding survivors. Yet giant heaps of rubble remain, with families trapped underneath, in bitter-cold temperatures. The likelihood of finding people alive are fast diminishing, and the death toll is expected to rise sharply in the coming days.
People are traumatized and feel helpless. Many are out in the cold, as they have been advised not to re-enter their buildings due to possibilities of aftershocks. There have been more than 200 aftershocks since Monday (Feb 6th) ranging between 4-6 in magnitude.
Antalya is about 800km west from where the earthquake struck. Although tremors were felt, there was no damage in Antalya or it’s vicinity. However, many of our friends are grieving. Being the fastest growing city in Turkey, many easterners leave their hometowns and move to Antalya and other western cities to find jobs and help provide for their relatives. Many have lost loved ones, and others are waiting for news.
Please pray. Pray for the many people who have lost relatives, friends, and homes. Pray for the emergency workers, that they would have the strength to diligently carry on the rescue operations amidst the harsh weather conditions. Pray for the churches in the affected area, that they would shine brightly during this dark time as they help in practical ways while holding out the hope of the gospel. Pray for the churches in Antalya as well. They are gathering resources to send out to the affected areas. In addition to this, the president announced that the hotels in Antalya will temporarily house families whose homes have been destroyed. Pray for our brothers and sisters, as they will likely have many opportunities over the next weeks and months to interact with and care for the displaced families who are grieving without hope. Pray that some of the sadness would be turned to joy as people find hope in Christ.
If you would like to support the rescue and relief efforts, please do so through the İlk Umut Derneği (First Hope Association). This is a Turkish Christian non-profit organization that provides aid in various forms during crisis situations. They were among the first to respond to the earthquake, and came equipped with provisions of food, shelter, warm clothes, hygiene kits, generators, as well as teams that are trained in search and rescue. İlk Umut is run by pastors and church leaders, and is highly regarded for their transparency and swift response to crisis situations. To donate, please click on this link: İlk Umut Derneği – Contribute – Natural Disasters. The current exchange rate is about 18 Lira per USD. Please bear this in mind when donating in Lira, or click on the currency tab to donate in USD.
Thank you for your prayers and partnership. Please let us know if you have any questions.
In Christ our hope,
Haniel and Michelle Davy
Antalya Protestant Church Christmas
DECEMBER 2022
Christmas time was wonderful for our family and church. First of all, we received some new letters (from some of you our friends and supporters) in Christmas Eve. This was such an encouraging time for us. We started reading very nice letters and cards from the Churches in US. After that open some gifts, enjoy some breakfast with family. And since Christmas was on Sunday, we run to church to setup the place. Which was great because I was able to remind my family, our church and visitors, that Christmas was not about trees, lights, toys... It was about our saviour who came to world to save us. About 15 new people heard the gospel for the first time in their lives. It was hard to follow up with everybody after the church. But it was definitely highlight of the end of the year.
Family
DECEMBER 2022
Merry Christmas to you all...
Wanted to share few pictures with you and short update. As you can see we have a new member to our clan. Her name is Penny... She is a Maltipoo. We finally made the decision to have a dog after praying for years and discussing about it. It will be hard for sure with many responsibilities, however both Buse and I grow up with animals and know the benefits. Prayers appreciated in this new endeavour.
Wanted to share few pictures with you and short update. As you can see we have a new member to our clan. Her name is Penny... She is a Maltipoo. We finally made the decision to have a dog after praying for years and discussing about it. It will be hard for sure with many responsibilities, however both Buse and I grow up with animals and know the benefits. Prayers appreciated in this new endeavour.
Via Christus Ministries Headquarters
NOVEMBER 2022
As you know in our September update, I shared with you that, we (Via Christus Board) decided to take our Pastoral Academy to next level. Previously Via Christus Academy provided 5-days long study event for pastors and leaders. However we decided to make our Academy a program. We want to provide education to Church Leaders, 3-year long certificate program. 6 full time students started the program, 2 of them (Aydın and Özgün) are from our own church. At the moment we didn't share our Academy progress with the other churches, since we want to try things first with small number of students. PTL things are going well.
Now I have even bigger news. God began to do even more wonderful things. Strong funds came from the supporter that we never expected. So we decided to rent a building and do the Academy project there. To be honest, this was totally unexpected. Now we will not need a facility to host studies, hotels or restaurants. Because we have a large enough place to be able to do these things. Since we are learning a lot in this process, we would be really appreciated for your prayers...
Another subject to pray is that the possible opportunity for us to receive accreditation for our Academy. I was in Dubai few weeks ago to meet with School directors from different places to talk about possible partnerships and accreditation issues. Prayers appreciated on this subject.
Pictures Below
#1,2,3,4 - First Academy Class with 14 Church leaders (our Headquarters was not ready to host the first class there)
#5,6 - Our new Via Christus Headquarters
Now I have even bigger news. God began to do even more wonderful things. Strong funds came from the supporter that we never expected. So we decided to rent a building and do the Academy project there. To be honest, this was totally unexpected. Now we will not need a facility to host studies, hotels or restaurants. Because we have a large enough place to be able to do these things. Since we are learning a lot in this process, we would be really appreciated for your prayers...
Another subject to pray is that the possible opportunity for us to receive accreditation for our Academy. I was in Dubai few weeks ago to meet with School directors from different places to talk about possible partnerships and accreditation issues. Prayers appreciated on this subject.
Pictures Below
#1,2,3,4 - First Academy Class with 14 Church leaders (our Headquarters was not ready to host the first class there)
#5,6 - Our new Via Christus Headquarters
Antalya Protestant Church Baptisms
OCTOBER 2022
Unfortunately things was really tough thru the corona. But many people started to come to church after the life started back to normal. Even now, we have regular visitors coming on Sundays. Thru this time, 2 new brothers came to Christ. After studying our basic foundations class with them few months, we have had honor to welcome them to our family with the baptisms service.
Acts 29 Family Camp
NOVEMBER 2022
We gathered in Çıralı-Antalya and spent few days together with church leaders from Antalya, Ankara, Fethiye and America. This was a lovely time with Church Leaders and their families, which we could get away for few days to pray, study and refresh. Pastor Greg, David and Mark teach us from the Bible. We specifically focus on congregational care, which is an important topic for all of us.
We praise God for an amazing time. This was encouraging for sure.
We praise God for an amazing time. This was encouraging for sure.
Family
OCTOBER 2022
Greetings... After a long summer break, the school season has begun. It was very hot this summer in Antalya, even it is 40 C (101 F) now on the first day of October. This is good for those who came to Antalya for holiday, however, it is tough for those living and working in Antalya like us. Well to be honest, we don't complain since we are blessed to have an A.C. in our apartment and our offices.
This summer one of our big question was our boy David's school. He was struggling in first grade. He speaks both english and turkish, and he was slower than other kids. So we decided to have him start a new school, where education is english and turkish. So now he is going to school with his older brother Josiah. They both like this. Surely both Buse and I are happy that they started to school. We needed some time to ourselves as well, which often we can't during the summers.
We would be really appreciated if you pray for our family, specifically about our kids education.
This summer one of our big question was our boy David's school. He was struggling in first grade. He speaks both english and turkish, and he was slower than other kids. So we decided to have him start a new school, where education is english and turkish. So now he is going to school with his older brother Josiah. They both like this. Surely both Buse and I are happy that they started to school. We needed some time to ourselves as well, which often we can't during the summers.
We would be really appreciated if you pray for our family, specifically about our kids education.
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