Secularism as opportunity to expose Turkish Muslims in Ris-Orangis to the Biblical gospel

Abstract

The Gospel is for all peoples and this includes the Turks. Turkey prides itself on having been modelled on the secular democracies of Western Europe but it nonetheless re-mains a profoundly Islamic country with diversified cultures. This in turn influences efforts to proclaim the Biblical Gospel1. With the migration of Turks to Europe, and more specifically to the southern suburbs of Paris, the evangelical church in France is presented with new opportunities to share the Gospel. Migration presents the Christian church with opportunities to engage with Turkish migrants, who are now living in diaspora, away from home and its formative structures. Although they are an unreached2 people group (Joshua Project, 2016) and have deep roots in Islam and a strong Turkish Muslim culture, they are exposed to alternative influences such as secularism. The French evangelical church is not missionally equipped to reach out to this unique people group. This study therefore identified a need in this field for more knowledge to enable the church to plant vibrant communities of Jesus followers among Turkish migrants. Studying the influence of secularism on the world view of Muslim Turks in Ris-Orangis, key elements were identified empowering the French evangelical church to effectively plant churches among this people group. These elements were identified using quali-tative research and relying on auto-ethnography as a method. The results in this study will enhance the French evangelical church’s ability to fulfil its missiological obligation towards the Turkish people living within France’s borders.