Introduction: Origin – “Holy Discontent”

Missionaries/Workers in Turkey, along with Turkish pastors and leaders had been working so hard with much prayers, at times sacrificing their families and risking their lives to reach the Turks with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in many different and creative ways.  Yet, Turkey remains as one of the most unreached nation in the world.  There are currently 4,000 Muslim-background believers attending church out of 73,000,000 Turks (about 0.005 %, which is one of the lowest in the world). 

1,700 workers(missionaries) in Turkey, along with thousands of partners around the world are asking, “How can this be?”  We are so thankful for 4,000 believers, nevertheless, we are NOT truly content with those numbers.  We have this holy “discontent”.  What about the rest of them?

God was listening to our cries.  He has revealed clearly that, although there are other obstacles; such as political, socio-economic and religious oppositions, the primary and the most powerful opposition to the gospel of Jesus Christ in Turkey is that of “SPIRITUAL”. 

A powerful SPIRITUAL BREAK-THROUGH must happen in this land in order for all those who hear the gospel to respond in faith.  We hear the Holy Spirit, saying, “Not by might, not by power, but by My Spirit”.  We believe that a spiritual awakening in Turkey is only possible by the working of the Holy Spirit.  Our task is come together in “Unity” and cry out to God in intercessory “Prayers”.  Then, He will arise in Turkey and in other Islamic countries.

“I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, and give Him no rest till He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.” (Isa. 62: 6-7, NIV)

United Prayer Movement (UPM) – “History”

1. 2007 UPM - The UPM was started in 2007 by Korean workers in Turkey with the vision for a spiritual break-through, restoration and revival in Turkey, Turkic window and other Islamic region.  286 Korean workers in Turkey have gathered in February, 2007 in Antalya for the first UPM to seek God’s mercy and grace upon the land.  About 2 months later, we have suffered very first Turkish believers who were martyred in Malatya on April 18.  We remember the day as “Day of Martyrs” and keep it as “Global Day of Prayer for Turkey”.  We believe that this was the first among the many spiritual break-through for Turkish Church.

2. 2008 UPM - In January, 2008, 387 Prayer Partners from Turkey, Korea, and the US gathered again in Antalya to pray and bless Turkey, the Turkic Window, and all Islamic Countries.  There were a few missionaries who had joined us from central Asia.

3. 2009 UPM – From April 6 to 10, 2009, there were 370 prayer partners from Turkey, Korea, United States, Australia, South Africa, and other parts of the world came together for 5 days to pray for God’s great power and grace to fall upon us.  The leaders from TeK(Association of Protestant Churches), LAC(Leadership Advisory Council), KLAC(Korean-LAC), Silas(Network of Turkish churches and workers) in Turkey, and leaders from Nations(England-based Agency) and ITN(International Turkey Network) also joined together in prayers.  This was a new chapter of “unity” among all of gospel workers, especially among Koreans in Turkey.

     After this UPM prayer gathering, on June 5 at LAC meeting, and on June 6 at TeK meeting, they have decided to not only to bless, but also join the UPM to plan and prepare together for 2010 UPM, which is also called “2010 Ephesus Celebration and Beyond”.  Since then, we had our first “United Planning Committee” (that consist of 3 representatives from TeK, 2 from LAC, 2 from ITN, 3 from Turkey-UPM, 2 from Korea-UPM and 2 from US-UPM) meeting on November 24 of 2009 in Istanbul, and the second meeting on January 16, 2010.  The 2010 UPM is now a truly united prayer movement, prayerfully planned and prepared by the leaders from all the churches, workers and partners in Turkey.

4.  "2010 Ephesus Celebration and Beyond" (2010 UPM) – May 20 - 24, 2010 in Ephesus

From 27 countries, over 1,200 prayer partners for Turkey and Turkic Window have gathered in Ephesus, Turkey.  They came together to seek God's face and His glory for "spiritual break-throughs" in Turkey and Turkic Window, and to welcome Jesus Christ as the true King over the land.  In the evening of the Pentecost Sunday(May 23rd), which was the last night of the celebration and also the "Global Day of Prayer" 600 more Turkish believers from all over Turkey (for total of 1,800 prayer partners) joined the celebration, singing, dancing, praising and praying together.  Many have reported that there was genuine presence of the Holy Spirit during the entire meeting, especially during final evening of celebration at the old city of Ephesus.

5. "2011 Istanbul Celebration and Beyond" (2011 UPM)

Theme:  "I am a doing a new thing." (Isa. 43:19) -           

         "New Wind, New Wave, New Wine"

When:  April 18 - April 21, 2011

Where:  Istanbul, Turkey

Over 400 Turkish pastors, church leaders, and workers along with prayer partners from around the world got together to seek God for His New things in their lives, ministries, churches, and in Turkey.  Since then, we are hearing wonderful news of God doing new and great things from various ministries and churches in Turkey.  We give God all the glory and credit.

Conclusion: Vision, Missions, and Task – “Hope”

Vision

“We want to see a spiritual break-through in Turkey, Turkic Window, and other Muslim regions, that leads to church-planting movement by the United Prayer Movement (UPM).” 

Please rejoice in and pray for this growing prayer movement for the land of Turkey and for an upcoming initiative they are undertaking in May 2016.