Pastor James Bultema

James Bultema has lived with his family in the Republic of Turkey since 1990. For the first five years they lived in Istanbul, where, after completing language study, James served as first interim and then associate pastor of the historic Union Church of Istanbul for three years. In 1996 he and his family moved to Antalya, Turkey’s fastest growing city, located on the Mediterranean coast. There he and his wife Renata founded the International Church of Antalya, which James has served ever since as pastor.

In 1997 James and Renata founded Olive Grove, an annual two-week growing gathering of mainly multi-cultural kids. For Olive Grove 2006 nearly 200 children from eighteen countries and 37 carefully selected staff got together at a seaside site near Antalya for what proved to be a highlight of the year for one and all (see website).

After three years of gathering in local hotels, the International Church needed a home of its own. Having been thwarted in trying to build or even rent a sanctuary, James led the congregation in founding the St. Paul Cultural Center, a multi-purpose community center that was established ‘for the good of Antalya and the glory of God.’ Not only does the center serve the society in a variety of beneficial ways, but it also houses the now-called St. Paul Union Church and the Turkish Bible Church as well. James directs the St. Paul Cultural Center and leads tours of Turkey’s biblical sites.

Currently, James is on sabbatical in Leiden, Holland, beginning work on a PhD research project that will eventually yield the first historical account of the emerging Turkish Protestant Church.

James grew up in Muskegon, Michigan and attended Wheaton College, where he graduated in 1984 with a B.A. in Education. After teaching elementary school for two years, he enrolled in Denver Seminary, where he graduated in 1989 with a Master of Divinity degree. In 1990 he was ordained by the Berean Church of Muskegon, a church founded by his grandfather, and in 1993 he was ordained by the Presbyterian Church (USA).

James and Renata have three children: Kristoff, Anna-Kate , and Talya. They are all avid readers, skiers, swimmers, game players, and friend-makers.

News

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November 2007
December 2007



Hope to see you at church this Sunday at 11am!