Relief and Development

About 230,000 buildings have been damaged since the earthquakes in southeast Turkey in February 2023. Thousands have been displaced and have been in temporary and semi-temporary shelters since. Reconstruction will take years. Photo by Ellyn Schellenberg.
Over a year ago, early in the morning of February 6th, 2023, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake, followed by large aftershocks, took place in the southeastern part of Turkey. Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus and Israel also felt its effects. Teams in Turkey wanted to encourage communities of Jesus followers to bring relief and help to those affected.
Andrew works among refugees and asylum seekers in Birmingham and the Black Country. OM writer Nicky Andrews asked him about the ministry he is a part of — revealing the joys and challenges he faces each week, and the steadfast calling which keeps him going.
Heavy fighting broke out in Sudan on 15 April 2023, devastating many residential areas and causing a critical lack of food, water and medical care for people in affected areas.
OM is continuing to support Jesus followers in Sudan as they share Jesus’ love in word and action amid a continuing humanitarian crisis.
England’s old industrial heartland has many inner-city areas where most families speak Urdu or Punjabi, and mosques dot the skyline. In one such area, OM writer Nicky Andrews spent the day at the Welcome Place Hub* (WPH) a Christian community project led by OMers Stefan* and Louise*, blessing Muslim residents through service and friendship.