Christian Ministry Overcomes Hostilities, Attacks and Death Threats

BARTLESVILLE, OK — Some have called him a real-life Indiana Jones. He has freed enslaved children, is marked for death by Islamic fundamentalists, has narrowly escaped death multiple times and has been an eyewitness to unspeakable suffering.

His name is Kevin Turner, president of Strategic World Impact (SWI), an international mission organization headquartered in northeastern Oklahoma.

The Christian ministry, which focuses on areas of war, disaster and Christian persecution, has sent humanitarian teams over the years to some of the most dangerous areas in the world including Iraq, Sudan, Burma, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

"We’re the tip of the spear," said Turner, who along with his wife, founded the organization in 1997.

"There’s so much suffering in these areas and we’re willing to place our lives on the line to help those in need," he added.

Turner is all too familiar with the dangers.

In the past, he has been fired upon by helicopter gunships, attacked by an angry mob in Africa and was moments away from being killed by Muslims who had put a contract out on his life.

However, Strategic World Impact, which is mainly comprised of specially trained Disaster Assistance Response Training (DART) teams, continues to press on despite the dangers.

Earlier this year, they inaugurated a school in the heart of Islamic Pakistan where Muslim, Hindu and Christian children receive a faith-based education. Soon after its opening, the school was threatened and vandalized.

Turner contends his organization’s services are necessary and relevant due to events unfolding in the Middle East and other areas of the world.

"With an exponential increase in war and natural disaster, it’s important to be on the front lines, sharing our faith and offering hope. Foods, blankets, shelter and medicine are used as a key to unlock the hearts of the oppressed," he added.

Turner often campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers, oppression, and atrocities he’s seen in his past 16 years of mission work, and has testified before the US Congress on several occasions.

He concluded, "The things we experience and witness are unimaginable to most people. However, members of our teams continue their efforts in these difficult areas because they are willing to live for something greater than themselves."

For more information about the ministry, visit www.swi.org or call 877-RUN-TELL (786-8355).

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