Where did Paul start many churches in the New Testament?
Paul started many churches in Asia Minor, the region of the New Testament called Asia, located in western Turkey. Among the towns were Thyatira, Pergamos, and Smyrna. The context contrasts this with Greece, which was Europe, where Paul also traveled, but the churches he started in Asia Minor later turned away from his gospel.
Les explains that Greece was Europe, while Asia Minor was the Asia of the New Testament. He points to a map and notes that this is where Paul had started umpteen churches, in towns like Thyatira, Pergamos, and Smyrna. By the time Paul was martyred, those churches had evidently turned away from his gospel. Les wonders in what way they turned away but says it was a heartache because Paul had poured out his life for them. He notes the results: none of those little cities in Asia Minor are left, while many areas in Greece are still valid, such as Philippi as a seaport and Athens. Corinth is no longer the ancient city but another city is next to it. Much of Greece refers to Paul's journeys, but in western Turkey nothing remains; it all faded off the scene. This, Les thinks, is the basic reason for it all.