Baptist Church opens in muslim Turkey.

- Turkey: Baptist Church in Izmir Dedicated
 
Politicians welcome the opening of a new Christian church: Hope for the growth of faith-based tourism

I z m i r / S i n g e n - Only three years after its founding, the Baptist congregation of Izmir has completed renovation and officially opened its new church. The structure, an Anglican chapel used most recently as a government office and dance school, was loaned free-of-charge to the congregation by the municipal government for an unlimited period of time. There had been only one stipulation: That the congregation restore and guard the decaying structure.

Not only local politicians participated in the opening celebrations on 7 November, the region's parliamentary representative also attended. The imam of a neighbouring mosque was unable to attend, but did send greetings. According to the reports of guests from Germany, the politicians present stressed the significance of the small, 35-member congregation for the political life and culture of their country. The Baptist chapel is not only an indication for the Christian roots of the region of present-day Turkey, it also demonstrates the ongoing survival and existence of the Christian church. All speakers expressed hope that the church might also play a vital role in "faith-based tourism". No less than three Turkish TV channels reported on the opening festivities.

The Baptist congregation in Singen, Germany, which partners with Izmir, sent a delegation of 14. The head of the travel delegation, the retired pastor Hansjochim Kolbe, reported that "the self-confidence of the brothers and sisters in Turkey has grown enormously" through this recognition. Because of their faith, evangelical Christians have in the past been discriminated against by friends and family. Yet now they have for the first time been officially "recognised and praised". Unexpectedly, two German tourist groups numbering more than 70 persons also participated in the celebrations. Kolbe states: "Suddenly we had twice as many visitors as we had anticipated." All church members gave their own seats to guests.

http://www.ebf.org/izmir.htm