MSP to Antalya, Turkey

What would Saint Paul think? I wondered as we drove down the streets of modern Antalya between neon signs amongst cars, vans, trucks and tour buses. Paul sailed from here at the end of his first missionary journey (Acts 14:24-26). He could hardly imagine what it would be with more than two million people.

Istanbul is fourteen times that! When we flew through there on our way from Paris (after nearly twenty-four hours of travel), it reminded me of São Paul with water: the Bosphorus, the Sea of Marmora, the Black Sea—mile after mile of skyscrapers among the hills and winding coast.

We are here for the triennial conference of the International Council for Evangelical Theological Education of which Steve is a board member and senior consultant. As Steve wrote in our recent prayer letter, “These get-togethers have become an important forum for global theological education. Over 400 people are registered for a consultation that will consider the extent to which it is possible to measure the impact of theological education on the Church and society. How do we know whether we are effective in what we are doing? During the consultation LeAnne will be conducting a workshop to help teachers put their courses and research into writing. Pray especially for her as over 90 people have registered for this workshop! I’ve been part of the program team for the consultation and expect to be involved in logistics during the week. This probably will be my last time as staff for ICETE."

We met up with one old friend on our way from the airport and there will be many more among those 400, as well as new friends no doubt. These events always make me think of how international the Kingdom of Heaven is. After the week’s meetings, we will be touring the seven churches of Revelation with about fifty of our colleagues.

It was dark when we pulled in. Tomorrow I will try to get some pictures.