Traveling here makes one feel like a modern-day Apostle Paul, like being in another “holy land,” like being in the Bible, and like a life-changing experience has just happened for so many who have no access to the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is an adventure of learning, loving, sharing, tasting, seeing, and encountering the living Lord.
This region is the cradle of ancient civilization and history where Western thought, philosophy, art, and sculpture originated. This is the place where Apostle Paul was born and traveled during his journey in the Book of Acts; where the Apostles John, Luke, and Phillip are buried; where Noah landed and the animals were dispersed; where Abraham lived and roamed; where the early church councils were held; where the seven churches of Revelation are found; where some of the New Testament was written; where Galatia, Colossae, Ephesus, and the area mentioned in Philemon are located; and where the earliest Christians were scattered in Cappadocia, Bithynia, Pontus, Galatia, and Mysia. This country is beautiful with sweet people who are unaware of the good news of Jesus Christ.
We encounter people at markets, ancient sites, homes, gardens, workplaces, and resorts with the continual response, “I have no idea why Jesus had to die.” For most, it is a matter of explaining rather than defending why Jesus had to die on the cross. It is also a matter of convincing people with the heart and not so much with the mind or argumentation. In other words, trying to “outlove” these people, if you can, is no small challenge. I invite you to come along with me as I have lived and traveled through this region for the last twenty years, sharing the good news.
