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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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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