The start of Barnaba Ministry
Ever since leaving Turkey in 2020, I have prayed for God to lead me. As I sought God’s direction for me in Arizona, that passion and burden I have for Turkey has not waned. My role has increasingly become one of encouragement/big brother to Turkish pastors during my time overseeing Ironwood Church’s connection with our partners in Turkey. My relationship with the Protestant Church Foundation in Turkey has changed as well from an in-country church planter to an advocate stateside. During my last trip to Turkey and Cyprus where all of the leaders of the Foundation were gathered, I was asked by the leaders to come alongside more Turkish pastors and to advocate for church-building funds.
Thus, the start of the Barnaba Ministry.
I believe God is calling me into full-time advocacy for the church in Turkey. There are three aspects to this ministry:
The primary role is to come alongside Turkish pastors. I know firsthand the value of having someone simply listen to my experiences, validate my joys and pains, and pray with me from my 11 years of living in an isolated city with no other Christians. Knowing Turkish is a huge asset for this ministry because it allows our interactions to be heart-to-heart. I am already doing this with 3 pastors and I am being asked to engage with more.
Secondly, I want to raise money for Turkish church buildings. The Turkish context needs physical church buildings. I look forward to being the mouthpiece for Turkish pastors Stateside, explaining the situation in Turkey and asking for people to partner in prayer and financial support.
Third, I am ready to build bridges for churches in America to come alongside the Turkish church in fulfilling the Great Commission. Our world is always changing and it seems that God has given me a foot in two worlds. I hope to serve as a translator between those two worlds to aid in the gospel being proclaimed to the ends of the earth.
On April 28 Ironwood Church will be commissioning me into this ministry and on May 10, 7:00 pm I will be presenting at Ironwood Church and inviting others to partner with me in this ministry. Please join me, as well.