Thurman Update #1 (June 9th 2005)

We wanted to send out a quick update. Life has been full for our family, we have been enjoying our time meeting with friends and sharing the vision God has given for us this next year.

Antioch Network Staff Meetings--I fly out on Monday for Maryland. I will be spending Tuesday praying with the two other guys on Antioch Staff who I will be going to Cyprus with, we will be seeking the Lord in prayer. Wednesday and Thursday will be board meetings, and Friday will be a staff meeting. This time is really important for God to confirm his direction for us as a team and organization. Please pray for this important time.

Cyprus--We leave for Cyprus on June 30th please pray for our preparations and for God's provision to come in for the work. Pray for our flight over it is long and Ethan does not have his own seat, we need God's grace and patience Here again is what we will be doing in Cyprus:

In the footsteps of Paul and Barnabas…

The two of them (Paul and Barnabas), sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. (Acts 13:4)

After being sent out from the church in Antioch, the first stop on Paul and Barnabas’ first missionary journey was the island of Cyprus. From July 1-23, my family and I, along with two other Antioch Network staff families will join an international group of missionaries in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Also known as Northern Cyprus, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is home to nearly 250,000 Cypriot Turks. There are only a handful of known Christians among the Northern Cypriot Turks, while the overwhelming majority (99%) is Muslim.


The summer initiative is part of a broader initiative birthed within a partner network of Antioch Network known as TURK to TURK. TURK to TURK was developed in 1999 to proclaim the Gospel to the 150,000,000 Muslim Turkic peoples living along the Silk Road of Central Asia. Comprised of Western and Turkic Christians, the partnership was established to promote national church planting movements among Turkic peoples. In 2003, Northern Cyprus was one of several locations identified by TURK to TURK as strategic beachheads because of its large and accessible Turkish population that is without a known church.

We will be here for 3 weeks please pray that God will

Reveal people of peace to us
Show us opportunities for future long term involvement
Raise up laborers for this unique harvest
Keep the doors open for ministry even in the midst of the current political situation
Bless the N. Cypriot Turks and make Himself known among them
The foundation will be laid for an Apostolic Center to be formed that will train and release Christ-centered Spirit filled laborers to work along the Silk Road
Thank You for your love, support and prayers!

We are grateful,

Ryan, Noleen, & Ethan