Christ, The Cornerstone Of The Church

Christ, The Cornerstone Of The Church
Hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing the violence in Syria live in camps just across the border inside Turkey. So, the news announcing the creation of two more camps in the Turkish town of Midyat, just beyond Syria’s northeastern border, didn’t seem like much—at first. But the camp is being built specifically for Syrian Christians! Nowhere in the Islamic world has a refugee camp been built just for Christians fleeing from a neighboring country.

Currently most Christian refugees in Midyat are staying at the Syriac Orthodox monastery. Others live in apartments or in temporary shelters. The refugees say they each have received 150 Turkish Liras, about 80 US dollars, from the Turkish government, adding that it is the first government support they have ever received. While appreciative, most of all they’d like to have work permits; assured that there will be a need for interpreters, and people with professional skills, once the camp is completed.

In addition, several Christian organizations are helping build the camp in what the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls “a state-of-the-art refugee camp with sports grounds, food stores, health care and many other facilities lacking in similar camps.”

To avoid Muslim/Christian conflicts, a building official has assured those who are against the project that “the agreement with the government is that only Christians will be allowed to stay in the camp located near the monastery. Besides, should anyone commit a crime or create problems, that person will be sent back to Syria.” He adds; “We hope and pray that there will be peace in Syria and the situation for Christians will improve. The camp will be there if the situation gets worse… just in case.”  

One With Them
Turkey has always had the unique strategic position of straddling Europe and Asia. It has also been a melting pot of religions. Once a hope of the Christian world, it is now 99.6% Muslim. Please come alongside the believers in Turkey – Be One With Them - both the natives and those pouring in from Syria seeking refuge. Let’s lift them up for the Father’s protection and provision. Pray that these Christians will be the light on the hill and that God will use them to glorify the name of Jesus, the Cornerstone of His Church, in Turkey. 

2013.07.14

The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone...
(Psalm 118:22)