Hakan’s Invitation CENTRAL ASIA | Mark J.H. Klassen
“I often feel like the Macedonian man in Paul’s dream,” said Hakan, a key national partner for Multiply in a large Central Asian country. “I am the one saying, ‘Come, help us!’ I am eager to invite others from our global family to join us here in the work of the Gospel.” Hakan has enjoyed a strong relationship with Multiply ever since his first meeting with Randy Friesen and others who were visiting his country in 2008. After hearing his miraculous story of finding faith in Christ, they saw his passion for the Gospel and wanted to find ways to support him as an emerging church leader.
More than anything, he wanted to see his people hear the Gospel and experience the love of Jesus. In the years that followed, Hakan began to work in partnership with various international church networks, including Mennonite Brethren. The work of church planting was not easy, especially in a Muslim country like his own. But Hakan persisted in the face of much opposition, and he became stronger in his faith and 6 | witness
bolder in his preaching. More than anything, he wanted to see his people hear the Gospel and experience the love of Jesus. “I am thankful for the partnership with churches in North America through Multiply,” Hakan said. “They have invested heavily in my country for the sake of the Gospel. They have prayed, they have contributed financially, and they have sent workers. This has been a great blessing to me.” In 2012, when Hakan began partnering with Multiply, there were four North American families that were serving alongside him in his country. Soon after, a fifth family also joined. However, within two years, each of the families faced unique challenges and difficult decisions, and all five families left. “What can I say?” Hakan asked, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few, always too few.” Eventually, other workers came, but the need for more remained evident. Through it all, Hakan kept affirming the need for stronger partnerships. “I want more relationship,” he said. “We need closer communication with our international partners like Multiply. We need to share the work and the responsibility, like true companions.”
