“The earthquake happened in the middle of the night,” Mr. John, relief director at St. George Church in Turkey, shares. “When morning came, we saw the aftermath of the disaster. Most of the buildings had collapsed. Unfortunately, many of our loved ones are under the rubble.”
The damage zone from the earthquake and its aftershocks was the size of Germany. 60,000 people lost their lives. Over 1.5 million suddenly became homeless.
Relief efforts are underway, but rebuilding all that was lost seems insurmountable.
But there are rays of hope. Through your support, partner churches like St. George are banding with other congregations to be a light—to deliver aid and show the impacted that although the news has stopped carrying stories of their devastation, they are not forgotten.
Thanks to your donations, shortly after the earthquake in Turkey, St. George Church was feeding around 5,000 people per day. In addition, they’ve been distributing blankets, rations, water, tents, hygiene kits and much more.
What an opportunity, through so much turmoil, to be able to share the love of Christ in a country that is over 90% Muslim. However, we know there are struggles, roadblocks and discouragement.
Let’s remember Mr. John and his congregants in prayer, that they will keep Galatians 6:9 close to their hearts: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Will you join us in praying for Mr. John and St. George Church?
Father God, we come before You in a statement of faith that we have not forgotten about those impacted by these earthquakes. We see the hurting and know so many are in need—physically and spiritually.
We ask You continue to provide opportunities for Mr. John and the congregants of St. George Church to reach those in their community, that they will all act as Your light in the darkness, and that those who come to them for help will feel the love of Jesus.
We ask You revitalize them daily. That they won’t grow weary in doing good. And that You will rain many blessings over them. Let them feel Your presence as they act as Your hands and feet. In Your name. Amen.
The relief efforts underway are critical. Mr. John says, “Our most important objective right now is to meet the needs of the affected people. We try to meet their needs in every possible way.”
If you’re feeling led, make a gift today and help us continue to reach persecuted Christians in Turkey and Syria.
About The Author
Tim Dustin is a staff writer for Global Christian Relief, a nonprofit Christian ministry that works to strengthen persecuted believers and raise awareness regarding Christian persecution. For more information, visit our website at GlobalChristianRelief.org.
