Monday, April 13, 2009

Headed to the Nation of Turkey

Raven Ministries
International, Inc.
P.O. Box 1897
Daytona Beach, Fl 32115
(386) 682-4141


My Dear Friends,

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We are just about twenty-four hours removed from departing Daytona Beach for our trip to the nation of Turkey. We’ll be flying to Dallas, Texas tomorrow and will be with our friends at 1st Baptist Church Fairfield for Resurrection Sunday.

Our trip to Turkey will begin on Monday and we’ll be arriving in the City of Izmir in Western Turkey near the Aegean Sea. This is a City of over 3,000,000 people and was the ancient city of Symrna (Revelation 2:8). We’ll begin there and pray as to the leading of the Holy Spirit for the remainder of our two weeks in Turkey.

Some of you may be unaware that Turkey was area where all of the seven churches written to in the Book of the Revelation where located. This included: Ephesus, Thyatira, Pergamos, Laodecia, Sardis, Philadelphia, and of course Smyrna. Turkey is also the modern location of the City of Antioch where Acts 11:26 declares, “…the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”

The history of this place is obvious. It is where the Apostles of old walked and talked and saw the Gospel impact the world as it has now impacted generations. You and I that call ourselves Jesus’ disciples are the offspring of the work began there 2,000 years ago.

While the history is compelling, we are not going there to reminisce about what was—because there is still much history to be written in this Nation. I am reminded of Esau “selling his birthright” to his younger brother, Isaacs, for just a “bowl of soup.”

This nation had its birthright (the New Birth) taken from them by 1500 years of Muslim domination. The nations where “we were first called Christians” is now an estimated 99% Muslim. But God is His infinite mercy has kept the door open for the preaching of the Gospel in this Nation.

Unlike most of the other Islamic Nations, there is freedom of religion in Turkey. A right that I do not believe was established through their parliament—but through the promises of God to our spiritual forefathers who gave their lives to see the message of the Cross taken to the lost and dying.

It is fitting that our departure and ministry there coincides with the day that separates Christianity from all other faiths and religions—the day our Lord and Savior defeated death, hell and the grave!

Depending on the availability of the internet, we will be trying to post updates from our journeys on our blog at www.RavenOutreach.BlogSpot.com and on my personal FaceBook account as well by clicking HERE

Please keep us in prayer as we are out of the country and please keep all of our local teams in prayer as well. They continue to take the Gospel to the lost and hurting even as we are doing the same in Turkey.

Raven Amarillo is out ministering on the streets every weekend.
Raven West Coast is feeding and ministering to hundreds each week.
Raven Midwest is touching lives on the streets and in housing projects.
Raven Guadalajara is preaching, teaching and reaching Mexico.
Raven Daytona Beach is going after a generation for Jesus.
Raven Gulf Coast is taking on Bourbon Street every week.

These are just a few of the things that are ongoing in the ministry that God has raised up as one of His voices of redemption and reconciliation in the last days. Your prayers and support have allowed us to “Go into ALL the world and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Thank you for your financial gifts to the ministry. Would you consider making a special investment into SOULS during this Resurrection Season? As soon as I return from Turkey—I will be preparing for outreaches into inner-city Philly and revivals in several US cities as well, and then some major youth training and evangelism events this summer.

Many blessings!

Pastor Troy D. Bohn
Raven Ministries International, Director
P.O. Box 1897
Daytona Beach, Florida 32115
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