On the Seven Churches Tour experience:
Kerem is the best companion on the 7 Churches Tour! He is super knowledgeable and you’ll never want him to stop sharing stories! Kerem brings a unique passion to these tours too. He is eager to tell the stories of God’s work in these ancient cities, but he also loves modern day Turkey and fervently believes God is not done with this land. Kerem has dedicated his life to carrying on the gospel witness started by the Apostle Paul in this region, and he does it so faithfully. So along the way we didn’t just learn about old cities, we got to experience the beauty of praying for the Turkish people and petitioning God to build his church. Go book a tour with Kerem! You leave with not just a head full of knowledge, but a heart full of excitement about who Jesus and how He is changing the world.
Via Christus Academy is as strategic as it gets for the health of the church in Türkiye. The blend of sound teaching and brotherly encouragement in this ministry results in quality investment in churches all over the country and beyond. In line with Paul’s exhortation in 1 Timothy 4:16, these brothers are paying close attention to their teaching and their lives. Soli Deo Gloria!
On the spiritual impact of the Seven Churches Tour:
Visiting the seven churches was a great reminder that our faith is rooted in history. It didn’t just give a historical perspective but humanized the faithful saints laboring for the Lord before us, refreshing the work the Lord has called us to today.
On gospel courage and personal witness:
Every now and then Jesus lets someone cross your path who has a life that convicts you to a greater commitment to the Lord. Pastor Kerem is that man for me. He is from Antalya, Turkey. In the larger part of his country it’s population is 80,000,000 people with only 4000 Believers. I wept at the resilience that God has given him and his team to preach the good news in his country. 2000 years ago Paul the apostle preached in his streets & epistles were circulated throughout his region that we still read today. Now this pastor is one of my heroes in the faith! It is my greatest pleasure to extend to him the ancient greeting of our brethren, 2 Peter 1:2 χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη πληθυνθείη ἐν ἐπιγνώσει τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν. (Translation: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.)
On God-directed mission across America for the sake of gospel ministry in Turkey:
Turkey, the country evangelized by the apostle Paul, is home today to only a few thousand Christians. That means 86 million people, most of whom are Muslims, are without hope in Christ. By God’s grace, however, increasing numbers are being drawn to Jesus. But there is a need for pastors to shepherd them. Kerem Koc — a brave, theologically sound, and passionately gospel-centered leader — is fulfilling that need. Through Via Christus Academy (and Miletus House), Kerem is training groups of pastors and church leaders to dive deeply into the gospel of Christ and to impart its riches through expository preaching and pastoral ministry. It could be Turkey’s most strategic ministry. It needs our support . . . to the glory of God!
On biblical depth and historical insight during the tours:
Kerem is the real deal. He is not just a tour guide but a local pastor and historian. His passion and extensive knowledge of the bible, church history, and archeology are incredible. My wife and I had an amazing time on the tour of seven churches. I don’t want to oversell this, but you won’t find a better guide or sherpa through the ancient world than with Pastor Kerem.
On gospel ministry in a land rich with biblical history:
Pastor Kerem is an indigenous pastor, converted from Islam, faithful to the Word of God, apt to teach, and enthusiastic about the Reformed faith. He is discerning, visionary, courageous, and energetic in pursuit of his calling. He loves his country and his countrymen, and has been called and qualified of God for such a time as this…
On faithful leadership and gospel witness over time:
I have watched Pastor Kerem lead, love, shepherd, and teach the Word of God faithfully for over a decade now. I am confident that he is an instrument of righteousness placed by God in Antalya for such a time as this!
On theological training and leadership development:
To see theologically sound, missionally effective, long-lasting, multiplying churches, we must develop faithful and effective church leaders. The better equipped pastors we send out, the more missionally impactful churches we plant for the glory of God. This is why it is my great joy to wholeheartedly recommend Via Christus Academy to current and aspiring pastors. Their theological training of church leaders to serve existing churches and plant new ones accelerates the spread of the gospel throughout Turkey and beyond.
On strategic gospel ministry in a spiritually needy place
I’ve been so encouraged to see the work of the Lord deepen and grow through the work of Kerem Koç and the team at Miletus House. This is a vibrant and vital work in one of the most spiritually needy and historically significant places in the world.
On gospel courage and personal witness:
Every now and then Jesus lets someone cross your path who has a life that convicts you to a greater commitment to the Lord. Pastor Kerem is that man for me. He is from Antalya, Turkey. In the larger part of his country it’s population is 80,000,000 people with only 4000 Believers. I wept at the resilience that God has given him and his team to preach the good news in his country. 2000 years ago Paul the apostle preached in his streets & epistles were circulated throughout his region that we still read today. Now this pastor is one of my heroes in the faith! It is my greatest pleasure to extend to him the ancient greeting of our brethren, 2 Peter 1:2 χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη πληθυνθείη ἐν ἐπιγνώσει τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν. (Translation: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.)
On gospel-centered ministry and church planting:
If ministry is about biblical character, biblical convictions, and biblical competence, then what Kerem Koç is doing in Antalya is exemplary. The Bible is taught faithfully, discipleship and leadership training are growing, and churches are being planted. We are privileged to partner with Kerem in the church-planting work in Turkey. It is our prayer that this ministry would be a gateway for the gospel in the region all around Turkey, for the glory of God and the good of the people.
On God-directed mission across America for the sake of gospel ministry in Turkey:
Turkey, the country evangelized by the apostle Paul, is home today to only a few thousand Christians. That means 86 million people, most of whom are Muslims, are without hope in Christ. By God’s grace, however, increasing numbers are being drawn to Jesus. But there is a need for pastors to shepherd them. Kerem Koc — a brave, theologically sound, and passionately gospel-centered leader — is fulfilling that need. Through Via Christus Academy (and Miletus House), Kerem is training groups of pastors and church leaders to dive deeply into the gospel of Christ and to impart its riches through expository preaching and pastoral ministry. It could be Turkey’s most strategic ministry. It needs our support . . . to the glory of God!
On biblical depth and historical insight during the tours:
Kerem is the real deal. He is not just a tour guide but a local pastor and historian. His passion and extensive knowledge of the bible, church history, and archeology are incredible. My wife and I had an amazing time on the tour of seven churches. I don’t want to oversell this, but you won’t find a better guide or sherpa through the ancient world than with Pastor Kerem.
On gospel ministry in a land rich with biblical history:
Pastor Kerem is an indigenous pastor, converted from Islam, faithful to the Word of God, apt to teach, and enthusiastic about the Reformed faith. He is discerning, visionary, courageous, and energetic in pursuit of his calling. He loves his country and his countrymen, and has been called and qualified of God for such a time as this…
On the Seven Churches Tour experience:
Kerem is the best companion on the 7 Churches Tour! He is super knowledgeable and you’ll never want him to stop sharing stories! Kerem brings a unique passion to these tours too. He is eager to tell the stories of God’s work in these ancient cities, but he also loves modern day Turkey and fervently believes God is not done with this land. Kerem has dedicated his life to carrying on the gospel witness started by the Apostle Paul in this region, and he does it so faithfully. So along the way we didn’t just learn about old cities, we got to experience the beauty of praying for the Turkish people and petitioning God to build his church. Go book a tour with Kerem! You leave with not just a head full of knowledge, but a heart full of excitement about who Jesus and how He is changing the world.
On the spiritual impact of the Seven Churches Tour:
Visiting the seven churches was a great reminder that our faith is rooted in history. It didn’t just give a historical perspective but humanized the faithful saints laboring for the Lord before us, refreshing the work the Lord has called us to today.
Via Christus Academy is as strategic as it gets for the health of the church in Türkiye. The blend of sound teaching and brotherly encouragement in this ministry results in quality investment in churches all over the country and beyond. In line with Paul’s exhortation in 1 Timothy 4:16, these brothers are paying close attention to their teaching and their lives. Soli Deo Gloria!