Dr. Andrew Jackson and Pastor Zekai Tanyar spoke in Mesa this weekend about their friends related to The East Valley Tribune’s story, April 22, 2007, "12 to be charged in Turkey Bible murders". Suspects were jailed in Turkey linked with killing three Christians - one German and two Turks who had converted to Christianity - tied up, throats slit - at a Christian publishing house in Malayta, Turkey. Another tragic story this week; these three had friends in Mesa. A friend and colleague, Dr. Andrew Jackson, Associate Minister, Word of Grace, Mesa - knew these three men personally. He and his wife also had our planned special speaker staying at their home this past week - Pastor Zekai Tanyar happened to be from that very region in Turkey for our weekend services and focus - he too knew all three men, killed for distributing Bibles. He told us about their families, their hopes and dreams, the pastor for one of the men - and we learned about their culture. It was a time for us to remember those who are living without the many freedoms we have; a time to look at and ask what one might do to help support justice, security issues, safety, diversity, meeting the needs of those less fortunate - remembering those around us in our own community. Europe noted concern regarding Turkey’s bid for European Union Membership; do they have the ability to protect religious minorities? With Christianity at 1% of Turkey’s 71 million population - a critical point to ensure!
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