Marmaris” Christian community has received its first pastor and is looking forward to more and better-organized activities for Christians in the Mediterranean city. Pastor Michael Bradley, a U.S. citizen, was appointed by the Marmaris Christian Fellowship to head the two-year-old organization in June. Until his appointment, the fellowship had been directed by senior community members. Previously Bradley had been living in Istanbul, where his wife was teaching at a private college, to minister to the Christian community there.
According to local state offices, the number of foreigners living in Marmaris is about 4,000, most of who come from the United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Scandinavian countries, Russia and Ukraine. The fellowship was formed as members of the community came together out of a mutual need to worship in the Christian faith. The fellowship is an international and nondenominational body that welcomes anyone who wants to come and worship and pray. The members and visitors meet at the church Fridays at 10:30 a.m. and Sundays at 11:00 a.m.
For a long time many in the Christian community in Marmaris did not know there was a church in the area, although the fellowship had organized several social and religious activities. The members of the group have organized Christmas services, craft workshops, picnics, Easter parties and baptism ceremonies. However, neither Turkish people nor the Christian citizens of the city have heard of most those activities. Bradley”s appointment may change that.
“I am the new kid on the block”
Today, the community has been enjoying the start of a new period with the arrival of Bradley. Having experienced much difficulty so far in leading worship in Marmaris, the community hopes to achieve wider ministering services under the leadership of its first pastor.
“I am the new kid on the block,” said Bradley. “It was brought to my attention even before deciding to move from Istanbul that there is a need here in the expat community for someone of the Christian faith who could help in times of spiritual need, especially for those who have loved ones who become ill and are in the hospital and for those who lose loved ones in death.”
For example, in his first week in Marmaris, Bradley was asked to assist two families because of the death of a family member.
“One was an Irish family that had been here on holiday and the other an expat resident,” said the pastor. “My first visit to Marmaris last December afforded me the opportunity to assist the Christian community in the celebration of the birth of Jesus. So, there is a need for someone to be present to be available to the expat community for those individuals who desire to receive such assistance and spiritual encouragement.”
Rising number of visitors
The church is open to all Christians wanting to worship. There is a rich diversity of people in age, gender, profession and nationality that come and worship with the permanent attendees. The services vary in size from service to service depending upon who is visiting the city and the surrounding area. At any time there might be visitors from several different countries in Europe and on occasion from Asia.
To raise the number of the resident members of the fellowship, the common way is “word-of-mouth.” Besides that, the Web site of the Marmaris Christian Fellowship, www.marmaris-church.com, especially serves the many tourists who plan to spend their holidays in the area and are looking for a place to worship. The church was recently added to tourist maps because of the high number of inquiries at local tourist bureaus. One of the local tour agencies also contacted the community because they had groups of visitors who wanted to worship during their stay.
“Great tolerance, wonderful community”
The Christian society seems delighted with the tolerance and respect for their beliefs they experience in Marmaris. Bradley said he thinks the relationship between the local people and the Christians community is free of problems.
“I feel quite at ease in providing the ministry that I have been doing so far,” he said. “It has been without difficulty or problems that could be interpreted as some sort of opposition to the presence of a Christian community here. I believe this is a credit to and a direct result of the local officials here and this wonderful community of people. We cherish this tolerance as a rare and precious gift.”
One of the most social opportunities in the fellowship is “Mums and Tots.” It was designed for mothers to spend time with their young children every Tuesday during the school year. While the infants are in supervised play, the mothers chat together about issues that are important to them in raising their children.
Another activity is on Wednesday mornings. The "Coffee Time" is often just for chatting. Sometimes visitors play board games and on occasion there are art activities as well.
“These are purely social events, which we are glad to host, said Bradley. “After lunch is an opportunity for those that want to stay attend a Bible study. These classes are given in English and German.”
In response to a question about whether he would introduce “any new services in the church,” the pastor shortly replied, “I don”t see a need at present to do that, after all I am still just settling in. I”m sure the community will help define any such needs.”
Resource: Turkish Daily News
