Discover
The identity of the nation
Türkiye is a country that spans two continents: most of its territory lies in Asia, on the peninsula known as Anatolia, while a small portion west of the Bosphorus Strait, the narrow waterway that splits Istanbul in two, belongs to Europe. This geographic position has always made the country a bridge of peoples, cultures, and trade routes between East and West. It was also here, in ancient Asia Minor, that Christianity took its first steps: the apostle Paul was born in the city of Tarsus and traveled through these lands planting churches in places such as Ephesus, Antioch, and the region of Galatia. Several New Testament letters were written to Christian communities that existed where Türkiye stands today.
Today, however, the reality is quite different. Nearly the entire population is Muslim, and Turkish identity is so tied to Islam that, for many people, being Turkish and being Muslim are practically the same thing. This blending of nation and religion makes conversion to Christianity something rare and often frowned upon, as if it were an act of betrayal against one’s own homeland. The Turkish state, despite declaring itself secular since the reforms of the early twentieth century, maintains an official body that supervises and funds the country’s mosques, showing how deeply Islam remains tied to government structures.
Historic Christian communities, such as the Armenian, Greek Orthodox, and Assyrian (also called Syriac) churches, survive in small numbers, mainly in Istanbul. They carry a memory of nearly two thousand years of Christian presence in the region, but face constant surveillance and are treated as foreign communities, even though their roots predate the arrival of Turkic peoples. Alongside these ancient churches, there is a small and growing community of Turks who have left Islam to follow Jesus, often in silence, because of the family and social pressure such a choice can bring.
Türkiye has also become a refuge for millions of people from other Muslim countries, especially Syrians, Afghans, and Iraqis who fled wars and persecution. This has made the country one of the largest unreached mission fields in the world, all within its own borders: Turks, Kurds, Arabs, and other peoples living side by side, nearly all without any living contact with the gospel.
Even so, there are signs of hope. Small house churches, formed mainly by converts from Islam, continue to gather in various Turkish cities. The land that was once the cradle of early Christianity may, once again, become a place where faith flourishes, but this will require persevering prayer and workers willing to love this people with patience and respect.
- 1st century The apostle Paul is born in Tarsus and makes missionary journeys through Asia Minor, planting churches in Ephesus, Antioch, and the region of Galatia.
- 325 The Council of Nicaea, the first great council of the Christian church, is held in the city of Nicaea (present-day Iznik).
- 330 Constantinople (present-day Istanbul) becomes the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire.
- 1453 Constantinople falls to the Ottoman Turks; Hagia Sophia is converted into a mosque.
- 16th-17th centuries The Ottoman Empire reaches its territorial peak, controlling parts of Europe, Asia, and North Africa.
- 1915-1923 Massacres against Armenian, Greek, and Assyrian Christians mark the empire's collapse, with hundreds of thousands killed.
- 1923 The Republic of Türkiye is founded; the country becomes a secular state, separating religion and government.
- 1952 Türkiye joins NATO, the military alliance of Western countries.
- 2016 A failed military coup attempt leads to a period of greater political repression.
- Today Türkiye retains an almost entirely Muslim identity, while small historic Christian communities and new converts seek room to live out their faith.
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TurkishThe official language, spoken by about 90% of the population.
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Kurdish (Kurmanji)Spoken by the country's largest ethnic minority, mainly in the east and southeast.
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ZazakiLanguage of a people from eastern Türkiye, culturally close to the Kurds but with a distinct identity and language from Kurmanji Kurdish.
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ArabicSpoken by Arab communities in the south of the country and by Syrian refugees.
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ArmenianSpoken by a small historic Christian community, mainly in Istanbul.
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GreekSpoken by a few remaining members of Istanbul's ancient Greek community.
Türkiye is a country that lies in both Europe and Asia, joined by the Bosphorus Strait, a narrow waterway that splits the city of Istanbul into two sides. Most of the territory, known as Anatolia (the peninsula of Asia Minor), lies in Asia, while a small strip west of the Bosphorus belongs to Europe. The terrain ranges from coastal plains along the Mediterranean and Black Sea shores to a high, dry central plateau, with mountains in the east, home to Mount Ararat, the country's highest peak.
Major cities
- IstanbulThe country's largest city, a bridge between Europe and Asia, with more than 15 million inhabitants.
- AnkaraThe capital, seat of the government and national parliament.
- IzmirA major port city on the Aegean coast, built on the site of ancient Smyrna, one of the seven churches mentioned in the biblical book of Revelation.
- BursaFormer Ottoman capital, today an industrial hub in the northwest of the country.
- AntalyaThe main tourist destination on the Mediterranean coast.
- KonyaA historic city in the country's center, linked to the Sufi tradition (a mystical branch of Islam).
Climate and temperature
Kebab
Grilled or roasted meat on a skewer, prepared in various ways across every region of the country.
Mantı
Small dumplings similar to ravioli, filled with meat and served with yogurt and peppered butter.
Baklava
A sweet made of thin layered pastry, filled with pistachios or walnuts and topped with honey syrup.
Simit
A round, ring-shaped bread coated in sesame seeds, sold on the streets as a breakfast food.
Pilav
Rice cooked in butter or oil, a traditional side dish for nearly every Turkish meal.
Köfte
Seasoned ground meat meatballs, grilled or fried, one of the country's most popular dishes.
Turkish tea (çay)
A drink served in small tulip-shaped glass cups, present at almost every social gathering.
Understand
Culture and spirituality
2a · The culture
Hospitality
Welcoming visitors into one's home is considered a matter of honor throughout Türkiye.
Turkish tea
Sharing a glass of tea is the most common social gesture of daily life, from shops to offices.
Turkish carpets
Carpet weaving is an ancient craft tradition, with patterns that vary by region.
Historic mosques
Religious architecture, such as the Blue Mosque, reflects centuries of Ottoman history.
Biblical sites
Ephesus, Antioch, and other cities mentioned in the New Testament lie within Turkish territory.
Cappadocia
A region of unique rock formations, where the earliest Christians carved homes and churches into the stone to hide from persecution.
- Criticizing the founder of the republic He is held in great respect by most of the population; public criticism can cause deep offense.
- Speaking carelessly about the Kurdish or Armenian issue These are sensitive topics, tied to conflicts and historical wounds that are still raw.
- Insisting on religious debates in public Direct invitations to the Christian faith in public spaces can generate distrust or hostile reactions.
- Using your foot to point at or touch something This is considered a rude gesture in many Muslim cultures, including Turkish culture.
- Eating or drinking in public during Ramadan In more traditional neighborhoods, this can be seen as disrespectful to those who are fasting.
- Entering mosques improperly Shoes must be removed and modest dress worn when visiting religious spaces.
2b · The field
Areas of spiritual battle and cultural captivity to cover in prayer. Tap each point to understand:
Turkish national identity is so intertwined with Islam that converting to Christianity is seen as betraying the nation itself.
The government maintains an official body that supervises and funds mosques, tying religion to the structures of the state.
Leaving Islam is seen as dishonoring the family, creating strong pressure for the convert to turn back.
The legacy of twentieth-century reforms treats faith as strictly private, making any public religious expression difficult.
Mystical Islamic orders attract those seeking a deeper spiritual experience, drawing them away from the gospel.
Memories of the massacres against Armenian, Greek, and Assyrian Christians still fuel distrust among the country's peoples.
In major cities, material success and consumption compete with any serious spiritual pursuit.
Few Christians of Turkish background manage to find a faith community that truly supports them.
The historic Armenian, Greek, and Syriac churches live under constant observation by the authorities.
Beliefs in amulets, such as the blue eye against the evil eye, blend into everyday religious practice.
In Türkiye, being Turkish and being Muslim are seen by many as one and the same. This strong link between national identity and Islam makes conversion to Christianity seen as an act of betrayal not only against religion but against the nation itself.
Those who leave Islam to follow Jesus face rejection from family, social pressure, and, in some cases, threats from extremist groups. Women converts are especially vulnerable: they may be confined at home by their own family, suffer abuse, or be expelled from their home when they depend financially on relatives.
Historic Christian communities, such as the Armenian, Greek Orthodox, and Assyrian (also called Syriac) churches, are treated as foreign, even though they have existed in the region for nearly two thousand years. They live under constant government surveillance and, in some cases, suffer land seizures and attacks on their property.
Church leaders and pastors, especially those who minister to converts from Islam, have received death threats. Even so, small communities of faith continue to gather, often discreetly, keeping hope alive in a country where Christianity was born but is today a small minority.
The persecution score runs from 0 to 100: the higher it is, the greater the pressure on Christians.
Türkiye has at least 85 ethnic groups, and 61 of them (71.8% of the total) are still considered unreached by the gospel. Together, these 61 ethnicities add up to about 86.8 million people, meaning 99.2% of the country's population lives in groups that still have no Christian community of their own capable of reaching them. The largest of these groups is the Turks themselves, with fewer than 1 in every 1,000 people identified as Christian of any kind. The country is also home to Kurds, Syrian Arabs, Afghans, and other minorities, many of them refugees from neighboring wars, forming one of the largest unreached mission fields in the world within the borders of a single country.
- 86.8M Unreached 99.2%
- 116K Minimally reached 0.1%
- 282K Superficially reached 0.3%
- 292K Partially reached 0.3%
- 13K Significantly reached 0%
- 61 Unreached 71.8%
- 2 Minimally reached 2.4%
- 11 Superficially reached 12.9%
- 10 Partially reached 11.8%
- 1 Significantly reached 1.2%
Source of people group data: Joshua Project (joshuaproject.net). Estimates, may vary.
Karachay Frontier
Albanian
Ladino Frontier
Turkmen Frontier
Muslim Lebanese Arab
Yoruk Frontier
Hazara Frontier
Source: Joshua Project. Estimates, may vary.
Source: Joshua Project and Progress.Bible. Estimates, may vary.
Turkish Official
Levantine Arabic
Southern Zazaki
North Mesopotamian Arabic
Northern Zazaki
Kabardian
Turkish Sign Language
Pray
Intercede for this nation
Send and sustain
Not everyone goes, everyone takes part
Not everyone goes. Everyone takes part.
Behind every worker among these peoples stands a network of people who pray without ceasing, care for the family left behind, and faithfully sustain the work. Sending is mission too.
Start with your church: introduce this nation, adopt it in ongoing prayer, and walk alongside those God is raising up to go.
Go
Practical details for those who want to go
Local time
Cost of living
Average price for one person at a popular restaurant in Istanbul, according to Numbeo.
Cost by city
Reference values (source: Numbeo). Confirm before traveling.
Practical points for those who go
- Learn a few words of Turkish: few people outside the major cities speak fluent English.
- Use Istanbul's transit card to get around by metro, bus, and ferry.
- Remove your shoes before entering homes and mosques.
- Bring modest clothing to visit religious spaces, covering shoulders and knees.
- Negotiate prices at bazaars and markets; it's a normal part of local shopping culture.
- Avoid discussing politics and religion with strangers; these are sensitive topics in the country.
- Turkish tea (çay) is offered at nearly every social gathering; accepting it is a gesture of courtesy.