Turkey’s cosmopolitan capital city sits in the central part of the country, roughly 280 miles southeast of Istanbul. It is a city with a unique blend of ancient and modern architecture. Old castles and ruins from the Hittite, Roman, and Ottoman empires dot the landscape. Adjacent to them are modern government buildings, theatres, major universities, consulates, and bustling night life.
Turkey is geographically located as a hinge between Europe and Asia, and its citizenry reflects this diversity. While Turkish is the official language, there are numerous people groups and more than 30 unique languages spoken in Ankara. Primary among these are Kurdish, Zazaki, and Arabic.
Turkey has been identified by the United States government as one of the top ten emerging markets in the world. Consequently, there is renewed interest in international trade and economic support for the nation. As the capital, Ankara is the focal point. The opportunity to interact and share the gospel with the diverse population has never been better.
“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?”
Luke 14:28 (NIV)