10/22/2018 Turkey (International Christian Concern) – Pastor Brunson’s release from imprisonment, in Turkey, a little over a week ago has filled the Turkish Christian community with new found strength. The US pastor’s two-year detainment and trial in Turkey was expected to discourage the Christian community but instead became a unifying factor for them.
Al-Monitor spoke to a leader in the Protestant Christian community, Soner Tufan, a board member of the Association of Protestant Churches in Turkey, during which he stated that since the case ended “It feels stronger. For Christians, suffering is honorable”. Despite the belief that the case would hurt this persecuted community, Tufan says it has only brought Christians and their churches closer together.
“The people’s attachment to their church grew stronger” says Tufan. Protestants, Orthodox and Catholic alike grew closer and more unified over the case. The church Tufan pastors grew to three times in size during this period, with people overflowing out the door.
Although we know that this will not be the last time a Christian will face prejudice in a country where Christians make up the minority, this specific community has been given a new sense of purpose and life due to the example Pastor Brunson set during his trial.
For interviews with Claire Evans, ICC’s Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org.
