Erdogan urged Turks to help defend the country against what he called economic war against the country. Erdogan appealed to a crowd in the city of Bayburt to exchange dollars and gold for Turkish lira to prop up the plunging currency.

The United States, the world's biggest steel importer, imposed tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum in March for imports from a variety of countries.

Since then, its relationship with Turkey, the sixth largest steel importer to the United States, has deteriorated, prompting Ankara to send a delegation this week to Washington to meet with both the State and Treasury Departments. But those talks on Thursday showed no signs of breakthrough.

Last week, the United States imposed sanctions on Turkey's justice minister and interior minister forpeople from all over the stadium streamed down the aisles, responding to the gospel message.

"It was just powerful," the Titusville, Fla., native said. "It's just amazing. You see people coming down -- just hoards and hoards of people. It's just a wonderful experience. ... It's probably one of the most prayed-over places in the world at that time."

Next month, Laney and several hundred members of the Southern Seminary community will get a chance to participate in a Billy Graham Crusade firsthand. Laney is one of more than 500 students and faculty members who will serve at the Greater Louisville Billy Graham Crusade June 21-24 at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. A recent class for crusade counselors on the seminary campus drew more than 450 attendees.

Laney, who pastors a local