Asia Minor (also known as Anatolia) is a peninsula that extends from the continent of Asia west toward Europe. Today it is known as the country of Turkey. It is bounded by the Mediterranean on the west and the south, and by the Black Sea on the north. In the east, high mountains separate Asia Minor from Asia itself. The center of this peninsula is a large rolling plateau that receives little annual rainfall and was lightly populated by widely scattered nomadic peoples and several major towns. It was isolated from the west coast by large mountain ranges broken occasionally by passes cut by rivers which allowed access to the coast.

The western part of Asia Minor was quite different. The mountains are at right angles to the sea, allowing for penetration into the interior. Rainfall, as abundant as the clouds, could penetrate inland. The wide valleys between the mountains contain major rivers fed by the rains and winter snow. These river valleys (Caicus, Cayster, and Meander for example) provided access routes for the roads from the coast to the interior and beyond to Asia itself. The soil in the west is very fertile making the area famous in the ancient time for its vineyards and fruit trees as well as other agricultural produce. The coast contains many natural inlets, providing excellent locations for harbors. This area was heavily populated throughout antiquity; there were many major cities near the harbors and mountains through which the roads passed. It was this western part of Asia Minor (the Roman province named Asia) that provided the fertile soil for the growth of early Christianity.

In addition, Asia Minor is the location where East meets West, and where Asia meets Europe. Major roads passed through the region from the harbors on the Mediterranean (like Ephesus and Miletus) to the great cities of the East (like Babylon) and the land route by way of Israel to Egypt. Major civilization centers developed by the harbors (Ephesus), along the roads (Pergamum), or where roads went through narrow passes from the interior of Asia minor into the province of Asia in the west (Laodeceia). Commerce moved continually over the mountains and through the valleys to the huge seaports. With the caravans, the new faith traveled. Although the center of the Roman empire in the first century was in the west, the demand for products from the east and the rich fertile farms made this region one of the richest provinces of the entire empire. Initially the capital of Asia Minor was Pergamum but shortly before the time of Jesus the Romans relocated the capital to Ephesus the greatest city in the province.

The geography of Asia Minor helps to understand why the message about Jesus spread rapidly in this area. While it is important to recognize that it was the power of the Spirit of God that changed lives and eventually pagan culture, the early believers went to the crossroads of their world rather than secluding themselves in safe, sheltered places. This carried great risk of course, both to their own lives and to their faith itself as they lived publicly for Jesus in such a powerful pagan province. However, it was here that culture was shaped. Here large numbers of people lived or traveled. A witness for Jesus here was truly evident to the world. ?Go into all the world? Jesus said to the disciples (Mark 16:15); they did, and in significant numbers. Asia Minor as the crossroads of the Roman world became the fertile soil in which the Church prospered in spite of the dangers. Paul preached here (Acts 18-20), John was apostle to this area, writing Revelation to its churches (Rev. 1:4), and Peter wrote to the believers here as well (1 Peter 1:1). Paul taught for two years in one location (Ephesus) and ?...all the Greeks and Jews who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.? (Acts 19:10). Somehow, the early believers knew this strategic location was ideal for them to fulfill their Messiah?s mandate. Today?s followers of the Messiah would do well to learn from them the importance of living our faith on the crossroads of our world.