Creator:
Language:
Turkish
Audience:
Non believers, New believers, Growing disciples, Leaders, Primary education and up, Secondary education and up, Children, Youth
Geographical focus:
Eurasia
Date First Published:
1990
Resource Type:
Bible study, Course, Group Discussion, Poetry and hymns, Tool, Training
Topics / Themes:
Character transformation and maturity, Christian/church history, Christian faith basics, Christian living, Discipleship, Evangelism and witness, Family, God’s character, Identity, Perseverance, Prayer, Salvation, The cross-sacrifice and atonement, Understanding the Bible
Overview:
Kucak has been conducting Turkish Christian Children’s camps every summer since 1990. As the number of children grew, regional camps were established and slowly turned over to the local churches in each area. Each summer these camps give children the opportunity to learn more about Jesus, give their lives to Him and grow in understanding.
Content:
Kucak began as a small gathering of children and adults at a make-shift campsite just outside of Ankara, Turkey. The next year children and adults from Izmir and Istanbul joined. Now there are at least 5 regional camps that have been inspired by and/or developed by Kucak. In 2023 a Kucak camp in neighbouring Bulgaria was started for the many Turkish speaking Bulgarian children there. Over the years there have been many obstacles, even threats against the camps, but God has remained faithful every year through these difficulties bringing children closer to Jesus as they work and play together, dig into God’s Word, memorise Scripture in song, interact with godly camp counsellors, set off on Treasure Hunts and find that they are not alone as Christian children in Turkey. Many of the first Kucak campers have gone on to serve as big brothers and sisters at the camps; and many of those are now leaders in the growing Turkish church. Today the vision continues to establish disciple making children’s Christian camps in every region of the country.
