DISTRIBUTION OF NEW TESTAMENTS IN TURKISH CITIES CAUSES A STIR IN THE STREETS
By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
ISTANBUL, TURKEY (ANS) -January 15, 2005- There has been mixed reaction to the successful Christmastime distribution of more than 50,000 New Testaments in the Turkish cities of Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, according to a report received at the US office of Turkish World Outreach from the Alo Dua Prayer Center in Istanbul, Turkey.
The report, made available to ASSIST News Service (ANS), says: “You and we have both been amazed at what the Lord has done! Thousands of New Testaments went out in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. Alo Dua Izmir got their ‘OK’ one hour before they were going out on the streets. Alo Dua Ankara, due to threat of protestors, had to do a last minute location change.”
One newspaper reported that, “Models are giving out New Testaments in Istanbul.”
“New Testaments are being given out on the streets!” said another.
The total of the three cities is 54,500 New Testaments distributed during this Christmas Outreach.
The Alo Dua correspondent said the police went from being main opponents to helping hand out NTs and getting NTs themselves! Another time, they arrested a fundamentalist who was handing out papers against us and stirring up trouble.
The Alo Dua report says that “After being out on the streets, the Turkish believers who were distributing with us are strengthened, and realize that they could publicly be bold for their faith."
The correspondent said there were many reports (good and bad) about the NT Distribution on the internet, TV, radio, and newspapers – all of it free advertising!
“People are realizing that NT distribution and being a Christian is possible, and normal in this nation,” the Alo Dua correspondent said.
“For this we give Jesus the glory, and the honor, and the praise! The streets were full of talk about the New Testament. People were reading their New Testaments, talking about calling Alo Dua. Once again, we bless our God for this breakthrough! The Lord is lifted up!”
The following Sunday (January 9), there was a protest of around 70 Turkish nationalists shouting Islamic chants outside the Alo Dua Prayer Center, the Alo Dua writer said.
“Our landlord was beaten up, and has a black eye. The Alo Dua signs were pulled down, and a window was broken. Some reporters have been waiting outside the Istanbul Alo Dua Prayer Center for several days.
“Currently, we are trying to get police protection, in order to continue praying for people. Our home landlord has told us that we have to move out. A neighbor put a threatening message on our car. One other neighbor was shouting curses at us, as we walked in the house.”
The correspondent said: “A TV station filmed one of our prayer meetings without our permission, and it was shown on national TV news three consecutive nights. This has brought on the protest outside Alo Dua, and also threats. But it has multiplied the number of emails and phone calls Alo Dua is receiving from people who are open and interested in the Lord. People recognize us sometimes, when we go outside.”
Alo Dua Ankara’s New Testament Distribution Outreach was featured on TV news many times and Alo Dua Izmir’s office was invaded by an intimidating TV crew, and was then shown on TV.
“We have all been in the public eye a great deal, and need much discernment at this point.
The report concluded: “Our Turkish brothers and sisters, who have come to the Lord through Alo Dua, are going through a lot of persecution with their family and friends. Especially, we are very concerned about keeping the Turkish believers encouraged. They want to do more ministry type activities, and we are working on an organizational structure that will suit both them and us to glorify the Lord’s Name in this land. We are going through many difficulties right now, and we need your prayers for boldness, wisdom, discernment, protection, and to walk in forgiveness.”
Alo Dua encourages the use of this article and testimonies, reprint in hard copy form, as well as sending to your own email lists and posting on your own websites. They ask only that proper attribution is given to Turkey Alo Dua Revival Outreach.
** Michael Ireland is an international British freelance journalist.
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