VIA CHRISTUS MINITRIES
Via Christus Ministries is a division of Reach Turkey Missions which strives to meet the needs of believers and seekers in the Turkish Speaking World. Turkish Speakers are located predominantly in Turkey, with smaller groups in Germany, Bulgaria, Northern Cyprus, and other parts of Europe and Central Asia. There are very limited resources in the Turkish language for believers and seekers. Via Christus Ministries provides free Biblical resources and teaching to Turkish speakers in order to strengthen their faith and raise up a new generation of church leaders. The ministry consists of three components: Web Site, Publishing, and an Academy.
#1
Online
|
Over the last year I have had numerous encounters with believers who have been scouring the internet for resources to help them in their walk with the Lord, as well as non-believers looking for answers. We are desperately lacking such resources in Turkey. Moreover, Turkey has no Formal Bible Schools. Some cities have clusters of believers, but no-one with a Biblical education to lead them. Some of these congregations have foreign workers among them, but they are in need of more resources to help them communicate effectively and to minister to Turks. Many cities simply do not have a church. In such cities, both seekers and believers can only turn to the internet for answers to their questions and to grow in their new faith. As the administrator of our church website (viachristus.com), I am able to see which parts of Turkey our site is being viewed from. Not surprisingly, clicks are coming in from far and wide, including the remotest places. People are hungry. They are searching. Many of them live in places where they can not turn anywhere else for answers.
With this burden weighing heavily on my heart, the Lord led me to start Via Christus Ministries, a website that offers a wide range of Turkish Biblical resources. |
At Via Christus Ministries' educational web site (hristiyanweb.com) you will find:
A wide range of written resources:
|
#2
Publishing
In evaluating the needs of the church in this country we have received many requests for written materials from a wide variety of recipients. The goal is to provide “free material”. Not only are these books provided free of charge, even the shipping of these books is paid by our ministry.
Our first publication, Jonah: Salvation Comes From the Lord, was published and distributed in 2014. Previously, no commentary on Jonah had been published in the Turkish language. It was written by a Turkish pastor, Pastor Kerem Koç, and for a Turkish audience.
This past year produced two additional works for distribution from the publishing ministry. To facilitate pastors and church leaders in presenting the gospel message, we selected The Gospel’s Message and Power by Paul Washer. The gospel is about God and His eternal glory. That is where it starts, and that is where it takes us in the end. Preached rightly, the gospel convicts and humbles every human heart. It underscores the exceeding sinfulness of our sin. It rebukes even our most laudable works of righteousness. In short, the gospel is the best of all good news and the most important message anyone has ever proclaimed.
Many of those contacting us are seekers searching for answers to their basic questions concerning the Faith and have never heard the Gospel. To meet the needs of this group we wanted a short and clear presentation. What is the Gospel?, by Brian Chappell, explains that the gospel is the message that God sent a savior to rescue broken people, restore creation’s glory, and rule over all with compassion and justice. This work also examines how the salvation that unfolds in Scripture grants to God’s people the right to participate in the furthering of the kingdom that transforms all things for his glory.
For our fourth publication, we wanted to prepare a resource that would serve equally well as an introduction to doctrine, a manual of theology terms, or a devotional study. We chose Concise Theology by J. I. Packer. This proved to be a most challenging translation project. Many of the terms and concepts simply had no equivalent Turkish translation. In order to preserve the original intent in its writings, many hours were spent by our editing team in order to prepare an accurate document. The work has been published and is being distributed.
As a follow up to What is the Gospel, our current translation and publication project is The Plan by Colin S. Smith. From eternity past God has had a perfect plan for the world. The Fall and entrance of sin into the world did not surprise him, nor did it detract from his plan. All things have been sovereignly worked to this end. What exactly is this plan, and where do we learn about it? Colin Smith demonstrates that God’s plan is shown in the Bible and centers around his promise to bring sinners to eternal life, through Christ, for his glory. The Old Testament tells the story of the making of the promise, which is fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God’s people, the church, spread the good news of this promise to the world, and the Holy Spirit is given to believers as the seal of the promise.
Via Christus Publications supports the work of The Gospel Coalition as a renewal movement dedicated to a scripture-based reformation of ministry practices. We are excited to see the publication and distribution of these books in the native language of this country. Join us in prayer that God will use these resources for His Kingdom work here.
#3
Academy
The Via Christus Academy provides educational opportunities for young leaders and prospective leaders. There are no formal teaching programs in this country to equip and prepare pastors and church leaders. Many pastors have requested instruction in basic theological and biblical knowledge. The Academy seeks to enrich their skills by providing quality teaching led by seminary graduates and former seminary instructors.
The desire to start a Bible Academy for leaders in Turkey has been one of our most exciting goals. We had our first lecture series during the Winter of 2015. It was devoted to a study of Early Church History led by Joel P. Johnson. In the Spring of 2016, Pastor John van Eyk presented a series of lectures on Hermeneutics. Our most recent lecture series was completed this past September. Dr. Tim Trumper led participants in a study of Biblical Theology. The course of study was rich in theology and practical applications, and it was a great time spent in fellowship with one another. We had 14 students from 8 different cities (7 Turkey and 1 Bulgaria). All of these people are involved in various ministries in their cities. All expenses for attendees, including transportation, accommodations, and meals are paid for through support given to Via Christus Ministries.
The curriculum consists of modules, presented throughout the week, twice a year. Each module focuses on one specific topic. The main purpose of the Academy is to develop leaders who are strong in Biblical knowledge and demonstrate the desire for living a Christ Centered life. The lecture series has also contributed to continuing communication and networking among attendees. In addition to the 20 hours devoted for lectures, there are also visits to local historic sites, and time devoted for students to gather in small groups to discuss and reflect upon the lecture series.
We will welcome the return of Pastor John van Eyk for the next Academy Lectures Series to be held in May, 2017. The subject of this lecture series will be a Survey of the Old Testament. Future lecture series will address the topics of: Systematic Theology, Survey of the New Testament, Pastoral Theology and Ministry, Homiletics, and Counseling.
The desire to start a Bible Academy for leaders in Turkey has been one of our most exciting goals. We had our first lecture series during the Winter of 2015. It was devoted to a study of Early Church History led by Joel P. Johnson. In the Spring of 2016, Pastor John van Eyk presented a series of lectures on Hermeneutics. Our most recent lecture series was completed this past September. Dr. Tim Trumper led participants in a study of Biblical Theology. The course of study was rich in theology and practical applications, and it was a great time spent in fellowship with one another. We had 14 students from 8 different cities (7 Turkey and 1 Bulgaria). All of these people are involved in various ministries in their cities. All expenses for attendees, including transportation, accommodations, and meals are paid for through support given to Via Christus Ministries.
The curriculum consists of modules, presented throughout the week, twice a year. Each module focuses on one specific topic. The main purpose of the Academy is to develop leaders who are strong in Biblical knowledge and demonstrate the desire for living a Christ Centered life. The lecture series has also contributed to continuing communication and networking among attendees. In addition to the 20 hours devoted for lectures, there are also visits to local historic sites, and time devoted for students to gather in small groups to discuss and reflect upon the lecture series.
We will welcome the return of Pastor John van Eyk for the next Academy Lectures Series to be held in May, 2017. The subject of this lecture series will be a Survey of the Old Testament. Future lecture series will address the topics of: Systematic Theology, Survey of the New Testament, Pastoral Theology and Ministry, Homiletics, and Counseling.
