Central Asia Update – Persecution on the rise

The vast area called Central Asia is home for more than 100 million people. In the 1990s hundreds of believers made their way to Central Asia in order to live there and proclaim the Gospel in the region. However, in recent years most governments in the region have started to persecute believers. The majority of foreign believers who sought to proclaim Christ have been expelled from one country after another.

In 2008 Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan voted laws which significantly restrain religious liberty. Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan had already become very oppressive for individuals and whole communities of believers. Proclaiming the Good News, changing religion, spiritual education for children, holding meetings and creating new communities have been made illegal or have been severely restricted. One believer who knows the region well says that “the young assemblies of believers which have developed in the last 20 years will suffer but they have deep roots. They will survive!” We still need to pray. Probably 90%+ of people in the region have never heard the Good News of the Kingdom.

Prayer Starters:

* Lord, you have said, “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, As the waters cover the sea.” (Habakkuk 2:14)
Lord, may you be proclaimed to all in the region (Matthew 24:14).
* Lord, strengthen your people (2 Corinthians 12:9). Many are in prison or will be in prison for their faith in the coming years (Hebrews 13:3; Acts 16:23-25).