"THIS CAME TO ME FROM A MISSIONARY FRIEND IN ASIA. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ IT IN ITS ENTIRETY. DESPITE THE AUTHOR'S ASSUMPTION THAT WE WOULD HEAR SUCH NEWS, I SUSPECT NOBODY HERE HAS HEARD A THING ABOUT THIS (AND SIMILAR ANTI-CHRISTIAN VIOLENCE GOING ON IN SEVERAL PARTS OF THE WORLD AT THIS VERY MOMENT!") –ROGER BUTZ.
This came to me too from a missionary friend, Roger Butz. I do not know when this happened exactly, but not long ago. A living example to remind us that we have a life which is given to us freely at His own cost, and for those who accept this life it is costly indeed!
In Him, Peter T Kent
--------------------------------------------------
A letter to the Churches in America from The Protestant Church of
Smyrna
Dear friends,
This past week has been filled with much sorrow. We send our condolences for the slaying of all those university students in Virginia. May the Lord comfort the families and friends of the victims and all those impacted by the tragedy!
Many of you have heard by now of our devastating loss here in Turkey:
On Wednesday morning, 46 year old German missionary and father of
three, Tilman Geske, kissed his wife goodbye as he left to go to the Turkish church office, which was also the location of the church's ministry, Zirve Publishing. Zirve prints and distributes Christian literature to Malatya and nearby cities in Eastern Turkey. In another area of town, 35 year old Pastor Necati Aydin, father of two, said goodbye to his wife leaving for the office as well. They had a morning Bible Study and prayer meeting that some other believers in town would also be attending. Ugur Yuksel also made his way to the Bible study.
None of these three men knew that what awaited them at the Bible study
was the ultimate testing and application of their faith, which would
conclude with their entrance into glory to receive their crown of
righteousness from Christ and honor from all the saints awaiting them
in the Lord's presence.
On the other side of town, ten young Muslims all under 20 years put
in to place final arrangements for their ultimate act of faith, living out their love for Allah and hatred of infidels who undermined their
religion.
On Resurrection Sunday, five of these men had been to a
by-invitation-only evangelistic service that Pastor Necati and his men
had arranged at a hotel conference room in the city. The men were
known to the believers as "seekers." No one knows what happened in the
hearts of those men as they listened to the gospel. Were they touched by the Holy Spirit? Were they convicted of sin? Did they hear the gospel in their hearts? Today we only have the beginning of their story.
These men, one of whom is the son of a mayor in the province of
Malatya, are part of a Tarikat, or a group of "faithful believers" in Islam. Tarikat membership is highly respected here; it's like a fraternity membership. In fact, it is said that no one can get into public office without membership in a Tarikat. These men all lived in the same dorm, possibly owned by that Tarikat.
The men got guns and knives ready for their final act of service to
Allah. They arrived in time for the Bible Study, around 11. They arrived, tied Ugur, Necati, and Tilman's hands and feet to chairs
and as they videoed their work on their cellphones, they tortured our
brothers for two hours. Tilman was stabbed 156 times, Necati 99 times
and Ugur's stabs were too numerous to count. They were disemboweled, and their intestines sliced up in front of their eyes. They were emasculated and watched as those body parts were destroyed. Fingers were chopped off, their noses and mouths and anuses were sliced open. Finally, their throats were sliced from ear to ear, practically decapitated.
Neighbors in workplaces near the print-house said later they had heard
yelling, but assumed the owners were having a domestic argument so
they did not respond.
Meanwhile, another believer Gokhan and his wife had a leisurely
morning, he slept in till 10, ate a long breakfast and finally around 1 PM he and his wife arrived at the office. The door was locked from the inside,and his key would not work. He phoned and though it had connection on his end he did not hear the phone ringing inside. He called cell phones of his brothers and finally Ugur answered his phone. "We are not at the office. Go to the hotel meeting. We are there. We will come there," he said cryptically. Meanwhile, in the background Gokhan heard weeping and a strange snarling sound.
He phoned the police, and the nearest officer arrived in about five
minutes. He pounded on the door, "Police, open up!" Initially he
thought it was a domestic disturbance. At that point they heard
another snarl and a gurgling moan. The police understood that sound as human suffering, prepared the clip in his gun and burst through the door, to find the grisly scene.
Tilman and Necati had been slaughtered, practically decapitated with
their necks slit from ear to ear. Necati and Ugur's throats were slit
in the previous minutes before the door was kicked in. Ugur was
barely alive.
Four assailants dropped their weapons. Meanwhile Gokhan heard a sound of yelling in the street. The fifth man had jumped out of the third story window from the office. Running down, he found a man he recognized named Emre. He had massive head trauma and strangely, was snarling. It turns out that he was the main leader of the attacks.
What follows is almost as disturbing as the act itself. Amidst public
outcry against the event, public officials from the Prime Minister to
the local government and mayors of Malatya, Ankara, Izmir; media and
Muslim leaders alike; judges, prosecutors; all the leaders blame the
Christians for the act. Interviews with these leaders are filled
With the same idea, "We hope you've learned your lesson. You shouldn't be doing these things." Even the Public Prosecutor of Malatya, who will prosecute these murderers shares the view that these "young men" are not to blame for their savagery. The Malatya Governor smirked as he spoke of the attacks.
The church of Christ in Turkey responded in a way that honored God;
hundreds of believers and dozens of pastors flew in as fast as they
could to stand by the small church of Malatya and encourage the
believers, take care of legal issues, and represent Christians to the
media.
When Suzanna Tilman expressed her wish to bury her husband in Malatya,
the Governor tried to stop it, and when he realized he could not stop
it, he told all people that "it is a sin to dig a grave for a
Christian." In the end, the believers who had come up from Adana
grabbed shovels and dug a grave for him in an untended hundred year
old Armenian graveyard.
Yesterday was Necati's funeral. It took place here in Izmir since he
was initially from here. The darkness does not understand the light.
Though the churches expressed their forgiveness for the event,
Christians were not to be trusted. Before they would load the coffin
onto the plane, it went through two separate xray exams to make sure
it was not loaded with explosives.
Though it took a lot of late-into-the hour planning, the funeral was a
beautiful event. Thousands of Turkish Christians and missionaries
came to show their love for Christ, and their honor for this man chosen to die for Christ. Like a piece of heaven. It took place outside at
Buca Baptist church. Two assistant Governors of Izmir were there solemnly watching the event from the front row. Dozens of news agencies were there documenting the events with live news and photographs. Who knows the impact the funeral had on those watching? This is the beginning of their story as well. Pray for them.
Please pray for the Church of Christ in Turkey. Don't pray against
persecution, pray for perseverence. The church is better having lost
our brothers, the fruit in our lives, the renewed faith, the burning
desire to spread the gospel to quench more darkness in Malatya ...all
these are not to be regretted. Pray that we stand strong against
external opposition and especially pray that we stand strong against
internal struggles with sin, our true weakness.
This we know; Christ Jesus was there when our brothers were giving
their lives for Him. He was there, like he was when Stephen was being
stoned in Saul of Tarsus's sight.
Someday the video of the deaths of our brothers may reveal more to us
about the strength that we know Christ gave them to endure their last
cross, about the peace the Spirit of God endowed them with to suffer
for their beloved Savior. But we know He did not leave their side. We know their minds were full of Scripture strengthening them to endure, as darkness tried to subdue the unsubduable Light of the Gospel. We know they knew they would soon be with Christ.
We don't know the kind of justice that will or will not be served on this earth. But we pray- and urge you to pray- that someday one of those five boys will come to faith because of the testimony in death of Tilman Geske, who gave his life as a missionary to the beloved Turks and the testimony in death of Necati Aydin and Ugur Yuksel, the martyrs for Christ out of the Turkish Church.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
He will continue to use the fellowship of OTS for "ripple-effect blessings" to the whole world! 'Rejoice' for this honorable responsibility!
(You can visit my blog at www.petertkentmissiodei.blogspot.com)
My dear OTS brothers and sisters, you know, I am being tested from all aspects and sad to say I have been knowingly submitting to these tests and trials that I face! I have not been able to carry the banner of Jesus Christ faithfull--the 'Cross' in my endeavour as a disciple. And more so I have been worst than Peter--who denied Jesus for three times, I have been worst than Paul who began his ministry for God by persecuting the followers of Jesus Christ, I have been worst than Thomas who looked for proves about the truth of Jesus Christ though he himself was a disciple. They were later restored to true discipleship--which cost their lives, a death which was not design by nature. They were killed/murdered/ martyred because of the cause which they stood for, without any compromise.
I do not know how I can commit myself for His cause—all I know and see myself is a rebellious sinner who still desires to live for His cause and glory alone—with all the limitations! I know I am weak and yet my soul and spirit does not want me to compromise and submit to the schemes of the enemy through "the principalities of this world!" The Lord's mercy, grace and peace surpass all the wealth of this universe! "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet."
I just do not know what will happen the next second...I am totally helpless! But all I know is that--my trust is in Him and in Him alone—the best Guide, Shield and Shepherd! I am learning more to hear His voice among the many voices!
You know what, there is none who can be trusted and relied on in this whole wide world except the One who gave His life for us by being despised, betrayed, rejected, humiliated, beaten, spat, nailed, pierced, hung...like an outlawed criminal—worst than a sinner like me by my very own ancestors! At His humiliated and costly death, I have life, acceptance, hope and love—which in fact is costly too! (Many have forgotten or overlooked its cost). I have the best gift ever—a forgiven sinner, saved and called to let His name be known, trusted, honored and glorified!
My greatest endeavor now is to make His priority my priority, His nature my nature, His compassion my compassion, His wisdom my wisdom, His forgiveness my forgiveness, His servanthood my servanthood, His closeness with the Father mine too, His grace my grace, His kingdom my kingdom, His royalty and nobility mine too, His inheritance my inheritance...I just can't keep on writing...it will not be sufficient and in fact it may not be able to express all! All I know is that the Spirit intercedes for me!
My inner eyes and ears have been opened to see and hear how the world is, even in ministries and ministers' lives! May the Lord continue to have mercy--first on me and then to the world!
You know, this is not a prefect world, this is not the world which God intends us to be--this is a fallen world! And in fact there is neither any perfect church nor any perfect 'churched.' Perfection will be when the Lord comes for the 'true churched,' and as for now we need to spiritually discern this fallen nature and serve each other—to restore each other so that the "Body of Christ" in our community, both near and far, is enlightened, strengthened, guided, discipled and mentored through us so that they are "Transformed to Transform!" God Blesses, the blessings to OTS is having a "ripple-effect blessings" to the whole world! Just "look" around and observed "how the whole world is going after Him."
But beware, my friends, of the Deceiver! The Devil won once in deceiving us but now He has been conquered once and for eternity! The Devil still tries to attack us; he knows where to attack and how to—at our weak spot, through our strength, at those which we are unaware and even through those which we are most careful! He knows how to—he is the best deceiver. He may still deceive us by whispering to us that we are the 'best,' or even the 'better'; that we are the superior and enlightened 'churched and ministers.' "Watch out" for this voice—that was the voice long time back which made the Jews dislike the Gentiles; and even made the Pharisees look down on the other Jews too! And hear, what God said through Paul on this "…but whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ…" (Philippians 3:1ff)!
Praise God, Jesus Christ our Lord and King has won for us; we just have to claim that victory and take the strong-hold of the enemy step by step! Intellectual wisdom of this world, achievements, self-exaltation, hoarded treasures and piety (where our society is very much into those) will lead us nowhere—except death, manifested through frustration, lost focus, un-satisfaction, being busy for worldly values, resentment, jealousy, un-ability to accept and acknowledge other's worth, self-centered attitude, 'my-kingdom building'… In all these, only the eternal and divine "Ancient Words" will guide us home! We have the revelation, direction, authority, prove, commission, assurance, forgiveness, acceptance, hope, peace, joy, love and life!
Be strong in the Lord though in the valley of the shadow of death for I know there is rejoicing, celebration and laughter of joy and victory! God Blesses! He will continue to use the fellowship of OTS for "ripple-effect blessings" to the whole world! 'Rejoice' for this honorable responsibility, but 'watch out' for we will also be accounted accordingly for this responsibility too!
I do not know about tomorrow! All I know is that He cares for you and OTS family, and that He loves us! He likes to see us (OTS family) making the best choice for those which God has designed in our life!
Yours truly,
Peter T. Kent
My dear OTS brothers and sisters, you know, I am being tested from all aspects and sad to say I have been knowingly submitting to these tests and trials that I face! I have not been able to carry the banner of Jesus Christ faithfull--the 'Cross' in my endeavour as a disciple. And more so I have been worst than Peter--who denied Jesus for three times, I have been worst than Paul who began his ministry for God by persecuting the followers of Jesus Christ, I have been worst than Thomas who looked for proves about the truth of Jesus Christ though he himself was a disciple. They were later restored to true discipleship--which cost their lives, a death which was not design by nature. They were killed/murdered/ martyred because of the cause which they stood for, without any compromise.
I do not know how I can commit myself for His cause—all I know and see myself is a rebellious sinner who still desires to live for His cause and glory alone—with all the limitations! I know I am weak and yet my soul and spirit does not want me to compromise and submit to the schemes of the enemy through "the principalities of this world!" The Lord's mercy, grace and peace surpass all the wealth of this universe! "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet."
I just do not know what will happen the next second...I am totally helpless! But all I know is that--my trust is in Him and in Him alone—the best Guide, Shield and Shepherd! I am learning more to hear His voice among the many voices!
You know what, there is none who can be trusted and relied on in this whole wide world except the One who gave His life for us by being despised, betrayed, rejected, humiliated, beaten, spat, nailed, pierced, hung...like an outlawed criminal—worst than a sinner like me by my very own ancestors! At His humiliated and costly death, I have life, acceptance, hope and love—which in fact is costly too! (Many have forgotten or overlooked its cost). I have the best gift ever—a forgiven sinner, saved and called to let His name be known, trusted, honored and glorified!
My greatest endeavor now is to make His priority my priority, His nature my nature, His compassion my compassion, His wisdom my wisdom, His forgiveness my forgiveness, His servanthood my servanthood, His closeness with the Father mine too, His grace my grace, His kingdom my kingdom, His royalty and nobility mine too, His inheritance my inheritance...I just can't keep on writing...it will not be sufficient and in fact it may not be able to express all! All I know is that the Spirit intercedes for me!
My inner eyes and ears have been opened to see and hear how the world is, even in ministries and ministers' lives! May the Lord continue to have mercy--first on me and then to the world!
You know, this is not a prefect world, this is not the world which God intends us to be--this is a fallen world! And in fact there is neither any perfect church nor any perfect 'churched.' Perfection will be when the Lord comes for the 'true churched,' and as for now we need to spiritually discern this fallen nature and serve each other—to restore each other so that the "Body of Christ" in our community, both near and far, is enlightened, strengthened, guided, discipled and mentored through us so that they are "Transformed to Transform!" God Blesses, the blessings to OTS is having a "ripple-effect blessings" to the whole world! Just "look" around and observed "how the whole world is going after Him."
But beware, my friends, of the Deceiver! The Devil won once in deceiving us but now He has been conquered once and for eternity! The Devil still tries to attack us; he knows where to attack and how to—at our weak spot, through our strength, at those which we are unaware and even through those which we are most careful! He knows how to—he is the best deceiver. He may still deceive us by whispering to us that we are the 'best,' or even the 'better'; that we are the superior and enlightened 'churched and ministers.' "Watch out" for this voice—that was the voice long time back which made the Jews dislike the Gentiles; and even made the Pharisees look down on the other Jews too! And hear, what God said through Paul on this "…but whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ…" (Philippians 3:1ff)!
Praise God, Jesus Christ our Lord and King has won for us; we just have to claim that victory and take the strong-hold of the enemy step by step! Intellectual wisdom of this world, achievements, self-exaltation, hoarded treasures and piety (where our society is very much into those) will lead us nowhere—except death, manifested through frustration, lost focus, un-satisfaction, being busy for worldly values, resentment, jealousy, un-ability to accept and acknowledge other's worth, self-centered attitude, 'my-kingdom building'… In all these, only the eternal and divine "Ancient Words" will guide us home! We have the revelation, direction, authority, prove, commission, assurance, forgiveness, acceptance, hope, peace, joy, love and life!
Be strong in the Lord though in the valley of the shadow of death for I know there is rejoicing, celebration and laughter of joy and victory! God Blesses! He will continue to use the fellowship of OTS for "ripple-effect blessings" to the whole world! 'Rejoice' for this honorable responsibility, but 'watch out' for we will also be accounted accordingly for this responsibility too!
I do not know about tomorrow! All I know is that He cares for you and OTS family, and that He loves us! He likes to see us (OTS family) making the best choice for those which God has designed in our life!
Yours truly,
Peter T. Kent
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