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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Via Christus Ministries
SEPTEMBER 2022
We have great news for you today. But let's start slow first.
The last 2 weeks have been very encouraging for us. Because My family and I travelled to Ephesus. I had the opportunity to teach at a seminar close by Ephesus. I taught Systematic Theology for the first two days, total of 5 classes. On the third day, we went to Ephesus. I teach about Acts 19 at the theater in the historical city of Ephesus. Then we went to the upper part of the city and teach there from the Revelation 2. It was long few days, but very encouraging time. Afterwards, we visited the pastors and their spouses in the region. Which many of them the pastors we work closely in different projects. On the way back, we took a 6-day vacation which was needed for a long time. It's been an incredible two weeks.
Let me tell you a little about the developments in Via Christus Ministries. We have recently published Philip Ryken's book Justification as Via Christus Publications. I think this publication will be a blessing to many people. This is the 8th book of our publishing house and we are determined to continue publishing quality works. Let us give thanks to the Lord for these blessings.
Let's get to the most important news. We, as 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. What does this mean? Now we want to provide education to Church Leaders, 3-year long certificate program. In the last 9 months, I have talked and interviewed about 60 people. Pastors, professors, deans, university presidents, administrators and fun raisers... I've learned a lot during this process. When we announced about the Academy program, many pastors (which we've worked with for years) become very excited about it. Check out the link to learn more about it. This is a very large and long term project and hopefully it will be a great encouragement to many men of God in Turkey and the surrounding countries.
Would you please pray for Academy, we really need your prayers on this.
The last 2 weeks have been very encouraging for us. Because My family and I travelled to Ephesus. I had the opportunity to teach at a seminar close by Ephesus. I taught Systematic Theology for the first two days, total of 5 classes. On the third day, we went to Ephesus. I teach about Acts 19 at the theater in the historical city of Ephesus. Then we went to the upper part of the city and teach there from the Revelation 2. It was long few days, but very encouraging time. Afterwards, we visited the pastors and their spouses in the region. Which many of them the pastors we work closely in different projects. On the way back, we took a 6-day vacation which was needed for a long time. It's been an incredible two weeks.
Let me tell you a little about the developments in Via Christus Ministries. We have recently published Philip Ryken's book Justification as Via Christus Publications. I think this publication will be a blessing to many people. This is the 8th book of our publishing house and we are determined to continue publishing quality works. Let us give thanks to the Lord for these blessings.
Let's get to the most important news. We, as 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. What does this mean? Now we want to provide education to Church Leaders, 3-year long certificate program. In the last 9 months, I have talked and interviewed about 60 people. Pastors, professors, deans, university presidents, administrators and fun raisers... I've learned a lot during this process. When we announced about the Academy program, many pastors (which we've worked with for years) become very excited about it. Check out the link to learn more about it. This is a very large and long term project and hopefully it will be a great encouragement to many men of God in Turkey and the surrounding countries.
Would you please pray for Academy, we really need your prayers on this.
Antalya Protestant Church
JULY 2022
Matlock family have moved to US last year, but they came back to Turkey this year. They stayed here for 3 months. They always served us sincerely. It was so encouraging to have them. They are going back to US again. But this time, they are not the only people who are leaving. Davy family is also moving back. Our friendship with them goes back much longer. We know Haniel and Michelle for about 15 years, and they have serve in our church for about 10 years. Haniel has been one of our church leaders for years. His commitment to church was incredible. He and Michelle are faithful christians and finding people like them is really hard. It was so hard to say good bye to them. We will miss them so much.
Two new families joined us 2 years ago (Mark and Becca, Greg and Brittney). It was just the beginning of Corona when they arrive. It was a very difficult and stressful season for them. Now things are better with corona and life started again. Now Mark and Greg stepped up to serve at our church as one of the leaders. We have now a counsel to lead the family, until we have new pastors. Their commitment to our church and ministry has been encouraging to all of us. So even though 2 families moved back to their homeland, God bring two new families for his church. We praise the Lord for a great partnership that God provided for us for many years with Matlock and Davy families... Please pray for us, as we go thru a transition time and our new partnerships.
There are few pictures below. These pictures taken with Matlock and Davy families in their last few weeks in Antalya... I also added a picture with Greg and Mark. These two men has been already a huge blessing to me and our church.
Two new families joined us 2 years ago (Mark and Becca, Greg and Brittney). It was just the beginning of Corona when they arrive. It was a very difficult and stressful season for them. Now things are better with corona and life started again. Now Mark and Greg stepped up to serve at our church as one of the leaders. We have now a counsel to lead the family, until we have new pastors. Their commitment to our church and ministry has been encouraging to all of us. So even though 2 families moved back to their homeland, God bring two new families for his church. We praise the Lord for a great partnership that God provided for us for many years with Matlock and Davy families... Please pray for us, as we go thru a transition time and our new partnerships.
There are few pictures below. These pictures taken with Matlock and Davy families in their last few weeks in Antalya... I also added a picture with Greg and Mark. These two men has been already a huge blessing to me and our church.
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Family
JUNE 2022
Hello All,
I am writing this post from my sick bed. I had a minor surgery a few days ago, and right after that, I made a wrong move and injured my back. Unfortunately my health struggle is a continuous, daily fight for me. However, God has been very merciful to us over the past few months, and doctors were able to take right steps about some of my issues. Specifically I have had issues with my stomach for many years, and things has been better lately. So even though these issues were there, I was not really effected in spiritually. Lord has been strengthen me thru these pains and issues for sure. PTL.
We now are in the summer break. Josiah just finished his first year of high school and his grades are much better than we expected. He is turning into becoming a young man for sure. David just finished first grade. He knows how to read, but we do not expect him to be an academic. He doesn't like school very much and I can't blame him for that. The first year is always tough. Since kids are in summer break now, they enjoy computer, swimming, basketball etc. We sometimes go to our cabin in mountains. Specifically David loves to be in the mountains... Our life is no different. I serve at our church as well as Acts 29 and Via Christus. Surely I am a blessed men, since I love my ministry. Buse continues to serve us and the church as usual. What would we do without her? She is God given gift to me and the boys. Not only does she takes care all of us, but she also does help me with some secretarial works. She definitely needs some break though.
In the coming days, we will go to Ephesus, where I will give a lecture at a camp close by there. Right after that, I will visit some pastors in region. And hopefully after a week, we will have the opportunity to rest for a few days. I'm sure it will be good for all of us. Please continue to pray for our family during this time, as God refreshes us before the school season starts again.
I am writing this post from my sick bed. I had a minor surgery a few days ago, and right after that, I made a wrong move and injured my back. Unfortunately my health struggle is a continuous, daily fight for me. However, God has been very merciful to us over the past few months, and doctors were able to take right steps about some of my issues. Specifically I have had issues with my stomach for many years, and things has been better lately. So even though these issues were there, I was not really effected in spiritually. Lord has been strengthen me thru these pains and issues for sure. PTL.
We now are in the summer break. Josiah just finished his first year of high school and his grades are much better than we expected. He is turning into becoming a young man for sure. David just finished first grade. He knows how to read, but we do not expect him to be an academic. He doesn't like school very much and I can't blame him for that. The first year is always tough. Since kids are in summer break now, they enjoy computer, swimming, basketball etc. We sometimes go to our cabin in mountains. Specifically David loves to be in the mountains... Our life is no different. I serve at our church as well as Acts 29 and Via Christus. Surely I am a blessed men, since I love my ministry. Buse continues to serve us and the church as usual. What would we do without her? She is God given gift to me and the boys. Not only does she takes care all of us, but she also does help me with some secretarial works. She definitely needs some break though.
In the coming days, we will go to Ephesus, where I will give a lecture at a camp close by there. Right after that, I will visit some pastors in region. And hopefully after a week, we will have the opportunity to rest for a few days. I'm sure it will be good for all of us. Please continue to pray for our family during this time, as God refreshes us before the school season starts again.
Acts 29 Conference
MAY 2022
About two thousand years ago, disciples of Christ and other faithful Christians came to this land that is now Turkey, proclaiming the gospel of Christ and establishing churches. Although two thousand years have passed, our call is no different. Like those early Christians, we are committed to preaching the gospel of Christ, growing in unity, and planting churches that glorify God.
It is our desire that mature believers grow in the Word and that healthy churches are reestablished in this land and around the world. With this desire, we decided to study the letter of Ephesians in our latest Acts 29 Conference. As always, our aim was not to focus on our differences, but rather to study the Scriptures together, focusing on topics that will encourage each other and examine our unity. Of course, not only that, we were able to build great friendships, during the time we spend together with the new brothers and sisters from different parts of Turkey.
This was an encouraging conference where we learn more about out identity in Christ.
It is our desire that mature believers grow in the Word and that healthy churches are reestablished in this land and around the world. With this desire, we decided to study the letter of Ephesians in our latest Acts 29 Conference. As always, our aim was not to focus on our differences, but rather to study the Scriptures together, focusing on topics that will encourage each other and examine our unity. Of course, not only that, we were able to build great friendships, during the time we spend together with the new brothers and sisters from different parts of Turkey.
This was an encouraging conference where we learn more about out identity in Christ.
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Via Christus
MARCH 2022
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Some of you have asked me about the name of the books that I would like to replace. Over 370 books are gone, and I would like to replace at least 50 books at this stage. Sections are destroyed are Ecclesiology (All gone), Other Religions and False Teachings (All gone), Ethics (All gone) Marriage and Family, Christian Living, Original Languages, Systematic Theology and some sections of the Commentaries. Check below for the list of the books. Other similar books are appreciated as well.
Thank you so much for the help. Understanding Church Discipline - Leeman Children of the Promise- Booth The Church - Dever Life in the Father’s House - Mack Deliberate Church - Dever What is a healthy church - Dever What is the Church - Sproul What is the Reformed Church - Smallman What is the relationship between church and State? - Sproul Why We love the Church - DeYoung God of promise and the life of faith - Hafemann A Camaraderie of Confidence - Piper Hidden Smile of God - Piper Evangelical Ethics - Davis What is Christian Worldview? - Ryken Reason for God - Keller This Momentary Marriage - Piper |
Gospel Centered Marriage - Chester
Christian Marriage- Lloyd Jones Truth We Confess - Sproul The Mingling of the Souls - Chandler Systematic Theology - Strong Lectures in Systematic Theology - Thiessen Elenctic Theology - Turretin Hebrews - Guthrie Hebrews - Jones Pastoral Epistles - Guthrie 1- 2 Thesselonians - Howell Thesselonians, Pastoral Epistles and Hebrews - Hendriksen 1- 2 Thesselonians - Morris Let’s Study 1- 2 Thesselonians - Young Titus For You - Chester Let’s Study 1 Timothy - Cook Song of Songs - Akin Isaiah - Goldingay Encountering John - Köstenberger Letter of John - Hamilton Jeremian and Lamentations - Smith Isaiah - Oswalt Isaiah - Wolf Isaiah - Motyer Jeremiah - Lamentations - Longman III Jeremiah - Lamentations - Smith |
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Family
JANUARY 2022
We have had a tough start to the new year. Unfortunately Josiah became very sick (heavy cold) at the first week of the month Soon after that I fly to Istanbul to meet pastors and friends, but instead of that, I was in the bed of my Airbnb for 4 days. It was one of those cold that knock you down. Buse think that is was corona. I had to go to hospital as well, and got serum. Soon after came back to Antalya, my library and office flooded. I have lost many digital devices, bookshelves, cabinets as well as 370 books. We have a lot of damage and it will cost a lot to replace things... I think we have over 6k USD damage. It was very discouraging moment for us. Things are still getting dry at the moment. But wait for it, it is not over yet. Last week Buse and David was so sick that we needed to go to hospital. They were covid, I got pretty sick as well. But since we were all in quarantine, I couldn't go get a pcr test. It was a tough week. It was actually, tough for 5 weeks straight.
However we are not discouraged. There are new developments at the church and our ministries, which is encouraging. We know that, God is good in all the times. Tough times comes but love of our Lord doesn't changes. Among all these hardships, he reminded us that he gave us to each other. Buse and I have had a celebration of 17th year anniversary. Which was a lovely night. We also have had a baptism (of brother Dehham), which is one of the most exciting event of the last 12 month. So among those hard days it was a reminder for us that we have an amazing Lord. After darkness, light...
We would be appreciated if you pray for our health during these days.
NOTE: Also one of our church members are struggling with cancer and not able to buy his medicine. If any of you are in the medical field and have access to Cabometyx medicine, would you please get in touch with us. We really need some of this medicine.
However we are not discouraged. There are new developments at the church and our ministries, which is encouraging. We know that, God is good in all the times. Tough times comes but love of our Lord doesn't changes. Among all these hardships, he reminded us that he gave us to each other. Buse and I have had a celebration of 17th year anniversary. Which was a lovely night. We also have had a baptism (of brother Dehham), which is one of the most exciting event of the last 12 month. So among those hard days it was a reminder for us that we have an amazing Lord. After darkness, light...
We would be appreciated if you pray for our health during these days.
NOTE: Also one of our church members are struggling with cancer and not able to buy his medicine. If any of you are in the medical field and have access to Cabometyx medicine, would you please get in touch with us. We really need some of this medicine.
Antalya Protestant Church
DECEMBER 2021
Christmas time was wonderful for our family and church. First of all, we received some letter (from some of you) in Christmas Eve. This was such an encouraging time for us. We started reading very nice letters and card from the Churches in US. After that open some gifts, enjoy some meal with family. And sunday, we have had the Christmas service. 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. More than About 12-13 new people heard the gospel for the first time in their lives. It was definitely highlight of the end of the year.
Pictures Below
No 1-4, pictures from our Christmas service... (In picture 1 and 2 Josiah is the person who plays piano)
No 5, David is rocking his guitar. Even though he doesn't know, he tries.
No 6-9 Christmas day with family
Pictures Below
No 1-4, pictures from our Christmas service... (In picture 1 and 2 Josiah is the person who plays piano)
No 5, David is rocking his guitar. Even though he doesn't know, he tries.
No 6-9 Christmas day with family
DECEMBER 2021
We throw a party every year during the december and play games like dart and white elephant etc. This year was fun again. We have had a wonderful time together and enjoy the meal. This type of times are really encouraging and building the body. It allows us to get to know each other.
