Open Doors, Open Scriptures: Ministry of the Word at St John’s Izmir
Each week, the doors of St John’s Izmir are opened to the city. There is no advertising, no publicity campaign, no sign drawing attention to what happens inside and yet, people come. In 2025, around 7500 visitors crossed the threshold of St John’s (not including those who come to our services). Some came out of curiosity, others seeking a moment of stillness in a busy city. Many stayed longer than they had planned.
Over the course of the year, 1020 Turkish New Testaments were taken from a simple table in the church porch. Visitors also picked up bilingual orders of service for the Eucharist, with biblical notes, and a leaflet telling the story of St John’s — past and present.
What draws people in is not only history or architecture, but atmosphere. Again and again, visitors tell us how much they value the peace and simplicity of the church. Several describe it as ‘an oasis in the city’ — a place where the noise fades, hearts slow down, and space is made for reflection.
Statistics, however, tell only part of the story.
As visitors move around the church, friendly and unforced conversations often begin. Questions arise naturally: What kind of church is this? Who is Jesus? What does it mean to be a Christian? These encounters are marked by listening, respect, and warmth. For many, this is their first sustained conversation with Christians, and their first opportunity to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed and welcoming setting.
The church is open four days a week — Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday — for three or four hours at a time, always closing promptly at 6pm. This ministry is sustained by a small and committed team of volunteers from two local Protestant congregations, who receive training and guidance to help them serve visitors with sensitivity, confidence, and care. The emphasis is not on pressure or persuasion, but on hospitality — offering space, Scripture, and conversation, and trusting God to do the rest.
Sometimes mission looks like large events and ambitious programmes. Sometimes it looks like an open door, a peaceful space, and a New Testament waiting on a table, ready to be taken, read, and perhaps, in time, to change a life.
We thank God for our beautiful church, in its prominent location in the centre of Izmir, and for its elegant simplicity, which carries its own message. And we thank him for the friendly local folk who love to visit. Often, they have formed the impression that they are ‘not allowed’ to visit a church. We are happy that by God’s grace we are able to ‘bust that myth’ and offer a warm welcome!
The Revd Canon James Buxton, St John’s Izmir