Türkiye: Learning Unity in Diversity
Impressions from the Turkish Baptist Union’s family retreat
At the end of August, the Turkish Baptists gathered for their family retreat. Dr Michael Kisskalt, General Secretary of EBM INTERNATIONAL, attended as a guest speaker and reports on his experiences.
The small, simple Arvalya Camp retreat centre near Selçuk is situated close to ancient Ephesus and served as the venue for this year’s annual family retreat. As churches in Türkiye usually have few members, they particularly look forward to this time: during these days, they experience themselves as part of a larger community. Around 60 men and women came to Arvalya. Some brought their children along, for whom there was a separate programme. The participants from Gaziantep and Adana had travelled particularly far: an 18-hour journey, with those from Gaziantep even travelling in a specially hired coach.
I was very pleased to see young people in their group who had joined the church last year – curious about this Baptist religious group which, as they had heard, is well-versed in matters of democracy. They learnt that our (democratic) understanding of the church is underpinned by our faith in the Gospel. They remained with the church; some have since been baptised, whilst others remain hesitant. A Syrian man and his wife also caught my eye straight away. Driven out by Islamist terrorists and under a barrage of bombs from Russian aircraft, they had fled from Aleppo across the border to Gaziantep a few years ago. My visit two years ago remains unforgettable: their humble accommodation near Gaziantep, and yet their dignified hospitality and charisma. This man of strong faith now holds the office of elder, a position of significant leadership responsibility within the Turkish churches.
A large group had also travelled from the Baptist church in Adana, a major city in south-eastern Türkiye. All age groups are represented in this church, including academics and professionals. The pastor and his wife, a deaconess, have been leading the church for several years with wisdom and love. Here I experienced lively discussions about biblical texts and a strong sense of solidarity with people in need. Following the terrible earthquake in February 2023, the Adana church became the hub for the Turkish Baptists’ relief efforts, aided by substantial financial support from Germany.
Learning to read the Bible
I was invited as a speaker to lead Bible studies and give talks over the four mornings. The organisers had asked me to work through the Epistle to the Ephesians with them, as Ephesus was practically just round the corner.
My priority at the outset was to help the participants understand how Christians read the Bible. Most of them had originally come from an Islamic background and read the Bible in the same way they had used the Quran: as a law that must be obeyed. They had to learn from scratch that God, the Father of Jesus Christ, wants to enter into dialogue with us. Reading the Bible is not just about obedience, but about taking the biblical words to heart and entering into dialogue with God about them: seeking, agreeing, disagreeing, lamenting, and even accusing. We are allowed to be emotionally honest before our heavenly Father. They engaged well with my exercises.
Diversity and Unity
A central theme of the Epistle to the Ephesians is the tension between diversity and unity. How can we allow—and even encourage—differences, whilst still remaining united? In doing so, I touched upon a core issue within the Turkish mindset. Contradiction and dispute tend to be seen as an affront to one’s dignity. This is why church splits or withdrawals from the church federation often occur in Turkish churches. When I explained to them the light and shade of different human dispositions, as reflected in psychologist Fritz Riemann’s ‘Basic Forms of Anxiety’, it was dead quiet. Afterwards, they discussed the matter passionately, with tears in their eyes, and many shared their stories. For me, that was the most moving moment: I sensed that they had understood something important.
They were able to practise this sense of community through their shared kitchen and cleaning duties. In the afternoons, they would head out into the mountains or to the seaside. In the evenings, there was sometimes a games night, sometimes a worship service. Graduates of the Polycarp Bible Seminary – where the Turkish Union trains its pastors and pastoral staff – were honoured, and new elders were ordained in the churches.
Throughout it all, I realised once again what a diverse community the Turkish Baptist Union is. So many nationalities live in Türkiye, and particularly within the Christian churches – including those who had lived abroad for many years and have now returned to their homeland.
Please pray for the leaders of these churches, that they may bear with one another’s diversity, shape it positively, and seek unity in all things: under the cross of Jesus Christ.
by Dr Michael Kisskalt, General Secretary
This article is taken from EBMI MAGAZINE, Issue 3/2026
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