Kerem Koc grew up in a Turkish home where Islam was more a cultural label than a lived faith. By his early teens, he had dismissed any notion of God. What captured his heart instead was the raw, unforgiving beauty of mountains. Climbing became his obsession—a solitary pursuit that took him away from family and into the wilderness every weekend. He dreamed of conquering the world's tallest peaks, and nothing else mattered.
But on one solo climb, disaster struck. A fall left him injured and alone, stranded in a remote area with no one to help. As the hours passed and hope faded, Kerem did something he had never done before: he cried out to a God he didn't believe in. "If You're real, help me," he whispered. And help came. Strangers happened by, carried him to safety, and saved his life. That moment cracked open a door he had kept firmly shut.
Rediscovering a Forgotten Gift
In the days that followed, Kerem couldn't shake the memory of a small book given to him years earlier by short-term missionaries. It was the Gospel of John. He dug it out, dusted it off, and started reading. The words felt alive, different from anything he had encountered. He began attending a local church, asking questions, wrestling with the claims of Christ. Slowly, the truth of the gospel took root.
"I realized that Jesus wasn't just a prophet or a good teacher—He was the Son of God who died for my sins," Kerem recalls. "And He rose again. That changed everything." He surrendered his life to Christ, and his ambitions shifted from scaling physical peaks to sharing the hope he had found.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16, ESV)
Planting Churches in a Challenging Land
Today, Kerem serves as a pastor in Antalya, Turkey, and leads Via Christus Ministries, a network focused on raising up local leaders. He also serves as regional director for Acts 29, a global church-planting organization. His passion is clear: to see more Turkish believers equipped to start and lead churches in a nation where Christians are a tiny minority.
The needs are immense. Turkey, a land rich in biblical history—from the churches of Revelation to the journeys of Paul—is also a place where following Jesus can cost you relationships, opportunities, and even your safety. Yet the church is growing, often in quiet, underground ways. Kerem's work involves training pastors, providing resources, and encouraging believers to stand firm.
"We need local pastors who understand the culture and the language," he says. "Foreign missionaries can help, but the real transformation happens when Turkish believers take ownership of the gospel."
Lessons from the Climbing Life
Kerem often draws on his mountaineering past to illustrate spiritual truths. Climbing requires preparation, perseverance, and a willingness to face danger. The Christian life is no different. "You don't climb Everest in a day," he notes. "You train, you take small steps, and you rely on your team. Following Jesus is a journey, not a sprint."
He also points to the importance of a guide. On the mountain, a wrong turn can be fatal. In life, we need the ultimate Guide—Jesus Christ—who knows the way and leads us safely home.
"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6, ESV)
Practical Steps for Your Own Journey
Whether you're a seasoned believer or just beginning to explore faith, Kerem's story offers encouragement. Here are a few takeaways:
- Don't underestimate small seeds: A Gospel of John given to a child can bear fruit decades later.
- God meets us in our lowest moments: When we cry out, He listens.
- Community matters: Kerem found help from strangers and a local church. We need each other.
- Your past can be redeemed: What you once lived for can become a testimony of God's grace.
Take a moment to consider: What mountain are you climbing today? Is it a career goal, a personal ambition, or a search for meaning? Perhaps God is using the challenges you face to turn your eyes toward Him. He is not distant or indifferent. He is the God who rescues, redeems, and calls us to a higher purpose.
As Kerem often says, "The greatest adventure isn't reaching the summit of a mountain—it's knowing the One who made the mountains."
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