Prayers for Turkey: John 14:1-14
God of Justice, God of Reconciliation and God of Peace, You have promised to look after us and to guide us, if only we were to truly look for you and to listen for you. We pray today for the people of Turkey who are bordering on a region caught up in strong social and political forces. The more the region destabilizes, the greater the effects on Turkey as it braces itself for an influx of refugees, especially from Syria. We pray for healing and reconciliation, being particularly aware of how immense social pressure can eventually focus people on their differences rather than their commonalities. We pray for those who strive to build bridges of understanding rather than to construct walls of fear. We pray for wisdom for the political leaders of Turkey, as they play an important role in the mediation of several countries in the region. We pray for Turkish relief agencies and refugee services, such as the Istanbul Inter-parish Migrant Program, which desire to help people put their lives into some semblance of normality. We pray for students, such as those in our schools, who through social service projects, do what they can to help those who have needs beyond their imagining. We pray for teachers who work with the youth, as they explore what it truly means to be a global citizen in today’s world. We pray for the Health and Education Foundation as it leads our historic institutions into a new era.
Mission Stewardship Moment from Turkey
Uskudar American Academy is one of our historic mission schools founded in 1873 in the Ottoman Empire. Today it is a secular private school that strives to prepare students for a rapidly changing multicultural, multilingual, and religiously diverse world. Any school is a subset of this surrounding world, where its diverse community members learn to understand one another even in the face of conflict and disagreement. When a community truly and sincerely cares for its members, it can be a nurturing place where one should feel safe. Youth need such environments to experiment and to explore. Schools should provide a place to grow, develop and change. Schools provide the arena for students to confront the major issues facing today’s society and creatively explore possible solutions. Uskudar American Academy has one of the most respected Model United Nations conferences where 500 high school students from various countries come together in such a forum to seriously examine the major issues facing this geographic region. Dedicated to preparing students for an increasingly intertwined and complex world, Uskudar American has a strong vision for the future as well as a supportive and caring community. Though the vast number of teachers and students are Muslim, several are also from Christian and Jewish backgrounds. Together this diverse community models how a common vision can give its members energy to strive for a better and more positive future.
(Prayer and Mission Moment by Alison Stendahl)
Video Resources for Turkey
Interview with Alison Stendahl: http://globalministries.org/resources/multimedia-resources/videos/video-mission-moments/stendahl.html
Global Ministries International Partners in Turkey
• Istanbul Interparish Migrant Program: Predecessors of the current Global Ministries personnel in Istanbul organized local parishes to serve the influx of refugees to that city during the First Gulf War in 1991. Hearing the continuing call to minister to the needs of economic migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees stranded in Turkey – they number at least 100,000 today – the parishes over the years have sustained and further developed this ecumenical program of Christian mission. The focus is on the most marginalized group of migrants, namely women with children. Services include food, clothing, health care, counseling, voluntary repatriation, adult education and emergency shelter subsidies. IIMP is a critical presence in the lives of those they help. Its work overlaps with NGOs that advocate for the rights of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. Global Ministries personnel are officers on the IIMP Board and in charge of the adult education program.
• Health and Education Foundation: The Health and Education Foundation,
a Turkish secular philanthropy, began in 1968 to protect and renew the
educational and medical institutions of the American Board, which
represents the founder of these institutions more than a century ago. The Health and Education Foundation consists of volunteers who are the graduates of the American Board schools. There are three high schools in Turkey (Tarsus, Istanbul, Izmir), a hospital in Gaziantep (SEV American Hospital) and a printing press (SEV-YAY), founded by the American Board but now managed by the Health and Education Foundation,
which has full responsibility and authority for them. The institutions
exemplify the positive possibilities for bridging cultural divides and
building trustful relationships that are needed in today's pluralistic
world. Global Ministries follows with hope and interest the progress of
these historical institutions through its office in Turkey, the American
Board.
For more information on Turkey, click here: http://globalministries.org/mee/countries/turkey/
Global Ministries Personnel in Turkey
Ken & Betty Frank serve with the American Board in Istanbul, Turkey. They share the job of General Secretary of the American Board. They also serve on the board of the Istanbul Interparish Migrant Program (IIMP) and work in its programs.
Alison Stendahl serves as Academic Dean of and as a math teacher at Uskudar American Academy in Istanbul, Turkey. She represents Global Ministries on the Near East School of Theology (NEST) Board in Beirut, Lebanon, along with Peter Makari.
Pray for Partners without Global Ministries Mission Personnel: Iraq
God, we pray for the country of Iraq. We ask you to make your presence known to our partners there in a special way. Help them in their struggle for peace with justice and show us how to walk faithfully with them. Amen
For more info on Iraq, click here: http://globalministries.org/mee/countries/iraq/
