Protestant Church Firebombed

A group of unidentified assailants threw six Molotov cocktails at the Odemis Love Protestant Church on November 4 causing minor damage, according to a November 9 report from Compass Direct. The attack was the latest and most serious incident in the harassment the church has been suffering in recent days. According to Pastor Mehmet Sahin Coban, rocks had been thrown at the church building (where the Coban family also lived) nearly every night for the two weeks prior to the bombing.

Coban had reported the earlier incidents to police but had been ignored. After the firebombing, however, authorities responded quickly and have begun investigations into the incident.

Pray that Pastor Coban and his family will be safe and that they will not be fearful but trust God (Revelation 2:10). Ask that his congregation will continue to be able to meet together, regardless of persecution. Pray those who persecute them will come to see and know Christ as Lord.

For more information on the persecution facing Christians in Turkey, click here.

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  • Country Information

    Population
    83,593,483 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Turkish (70-75), Kurdish (19), other minorities (7-12)

    Religion (%)
    Islam (99.8), other (0.2)

    Leader
    President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (2014)

    Government type
    Parliamentary republic

    Legal system
    Civil law system derived from various European continental legal systems

    Sources: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Turkey

    Prayerfully uphold those who have had their churches and places of worship taken over by a government that does not represent their beliefs, values or ordinances. Ask the Lord to oversee the mediation process as church officials and government representatives endeavour to work out a solution that is both honouring to Him and fair to all the members of the various churches. Despite the challenges experienced by the believers of this country, may they have a sense of God's reassuring presence and peace, knowing that one day He will reign supremely and justly over the entire earth.

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Türkiye News

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    A view from Diclekent Boulevard, Diyarbakir.
    Diyarbakir, Türkiye
    Photo: Wikimedia / chansey (cc)

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    The grounds of the church where the shooting took place.
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    Photo: Article18

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    Joy Subasiguller - Photo: Facebook / Joy Subasiguller
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    Photo: Facebook / Joy Subaşıgüller

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Türkiye Videos

 
Turkey: Andrew Brunson's Testimony
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Turkey: God’s Hostage, the imprisonment of Andrew Brunson
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Turkey: Malatya Martyrs
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