When the Lord Speaks, We Go

CYP Outreach to Türkiye

‘When the Lord speaks, I will go. If it is not the Lord’s will, I will stop’

The beginning and the end of this outreach was trusting the God who gives us what is best. God revealed Himself as the One who works far beyond our thoughts and plans.

“A person plans his way in his heart, but the Lord determines his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

As the CYP DTS scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025 was postponed due to insufficient enrollment, we were required to lay down the plans we had prepared. It felt as though our path was being blocked, and fear began to rise within us. Yet in that very moment, we were led once again to acknowledge the faithful God and the God who reigns as King.

God transformed our fear and anxiety, guiding us to recognize His lordship, and He gave us hearts filled with trust and expectation that He would lead us faithfully to the very end.

“The Lord is at work for those who walk in trust.”

With this conviction, we laid down our own plans and began to listen carefully to what God was speaking.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession…” (1 Peter 2:9)

Proclaiming the beauty of Jesus, loving God and loving our neighbors, boarding airplanes to worship the Lord on site, lifting flags and praising Him. God spoke clearly about an outreach.

He spoke to us about pilgrimage and worship, proclaiming the name of Jesus (Psalm 121 and Matthew 6:9) and the land of the seven churches of Asia Minor. Through these words and images, God showed us the nation of Türkiye.

Even after the country was decided, we continued to seek God’s leading. Through intercessory prayer, worship, and country research, we spent time understanding God’s heart.

In particular, we were continually challenged in the area of finances.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth…” (Matthew 6:19–34)

Through this passage, God challenged us regarding the posture we are to hold as His children, a life that expects His power, and the call to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

This challenge applied equally to new staff experiencing the battle of finance for the first time, and to long-term staff who needed to be reminded to keep their expectation alive and remember the daily grace God provided. It was a challenging yet encouraging time for everyone.

When we looked at our reality and circumstances, it seemed difficult to hope. Yet we chose again and again to fix our eyes on God, to obey, and to wait.

As a result, a large sum was deposited into the team account all at once, and the entire community witnessed the outreach finances being fully provided. God revealed Himself as the One who truly grants victory.

Furthermore, although the funds exceeded our initial budget, local costs turned out to be higher than expected. Even in that situation, we experienced God who knows our needs better than we do.

Beyond meeting our needs, God also gave us gifts according to our desires. He allowed opportunities such as riding a hot air balloon and visiting the underground city of Derinkuyu. Through these moments, we experienced God the Father who delights in giving good gifts to His children.

“Let the wind of the Spirit blow. Let the waves of revival rise.”

As we stepped onto the land we had long anticipated, we could not help but meditate on the Holy Spirit. Everywhere we went, we experienced His guidance clearly.

In the first region, God poured out His heart for the fire of the Holy Spirit and for the younger generation. Near the house of prayer, the name of the nearby subway station was “Imam Hatip Lisesi,” named after middle and high schools that train imams and preachers.

As we heard about these schools, widely distributed across the nation, and about Islamic camps held during school vacations, we were confronted with the reality that falsehood surrounds the next generation at the very stage when truth should be planted. Standing before this reality, we were led to pray with God’s heart for the next generation.

In the second region, where the revival of the early church once took place, God poured out His heart for revival and for worshipers whose worship He delights in receiving.

God had not abandoned His plans for that nation. He was still at work. He was shaking the nation in the economic and political realms, and He was searching for worshipers who continue to worship even amid persecution. God allowed us to see His perspective and prepared us to pray accordingly.

In the third region, we experienced the God who gives dreams and brings them to fulfillment. What we thought would only be proclaimed verbally became reality when we were able to ride a hot air balloon. Despite multiple schedule cancellations, God granted us clear weather on the very day we had prayed for up until the night before.

Amidst beautiful nature, we were able to worship God safely. In the underground city of Derinkuyu, we reflected on the hearts of early church believers who hid in low places to protect their faith, seeking refuge under the shadow of the cross.

“I will enter His sanctuary and behold His face.”

The ten day outreach came to an end, but God’s plan did not. Throughout the entire journey, we experienced God’s guidance with clarity.

Before the outreach, God had first called us to worship and intercessory prayer through the Intercessory Prayer Workers Gathering held at Jeju University of the Nations. During this outreach to Türkiye, we were again connected with houses of prayer, and God continually showed us that we are to stand as worshipers and intercessors.

Even after the outreach, God continued to lead us into times of listening, asking what He desires from us next. He spoke of offering our lives in hiddenness, longing for His presence, remaining before Him, and trusting the Good Shepherd through seasons of refinement.

Once again, we made a decision. We chose to pursue worship and intercessory prayer with greater devotion. We desire that our voices in worship would become offerings of spirit and truth that God longs to receive. Through intercession, we seek to understand God’s heart and to stand as those who build bridges.

We look forward with expectation to how God will lead CYP into the next season. We pray that CYP would become a community that responds to the work entrusted to us with God’s heart, through deeper intimacy and complete surrender to Him.

ㅡJiae Na, CYP DTS