Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin | RLPB 078 | Wed 20 Oct 2010

By Anneta Vyssotskaia, a religious liberty advocate with a particular
concern for and involvement in Russia and the former USSR.

The Central Asian region is a vast territory including five countries
which were once part of the former USSR: Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan,
Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. In ancient times it was
inhabited mainly by nomadic tribes and was an important part of the
Great Silk Road, which played a big role in the historical and cultural
development of this region. The total population of Central Asia
exceeds 60 million, the majority of whom are Sunni Muslims, and
includes over 100 ethnic groups. In the Soviet period about 25 percent
of the population were Russians but after the collapse of the Soviet
Union the majority of the Russian population migrated out of this
region. However, many Central Asian people still use the Russian
language for international communication.

Christianity came to Central Asia from Persia in the 1st Century.
According to legend, the Apostle Thomas went to Samarkand (now a city
in Uzbekistan) by the Great Silk Road and appointed several bishops
there. Documents confirmed that in the 2nd & 3rd Centuries there were
Christian churches in that region and Christianity spread mainly
through Nestorian Christians. However, around the 14th Century
Christianity started to be wiped out by Islam and Buddhism and
practically disappeared for several centuries. A new stage of
Christianity started about mid-19th Century with the arrival of the
Russian Orthodox Church and Russian farmer migrants. Russian Orthodox
churches were built in all Russian settlements. At the end of the 19th
Century many evangelical Christians came to the region, often as a
result of persecution. Although the local population was quite tolerant
of both Orthodox and evangelical Christians, Christianity was still
considered the religion of the non-ethnic people.

During the Soviet period all religions were controlled and persecuted
by the state authorities and several generations grew up as atheists.
The end of the Soviet regime brought many freedoms to the people
including the freedom of religion. It opened the door to numerous
missionaries and resulted in many new churches of different
denominations. Masses of people were attracted to the churches.
However, very soon active support of traditional national religions
started and also resistance to missionary activities. Islam became more
active. The religious freedom and openness gradually were replaced by
restrictions. The governments supported certain religions and
denominations while resisting the activities of others, especially
foreign missionaries and ‘non-traditional’ religions. This was partly
an attempt to use certain religious teaching as an ideological basis
for the whole population and partly to reduce the threat of
destabilisation and ethnic conflicts in their countries. The next step
was to amend existing laws to impose legislative restrictions,
especially regarding sharing faith with other people, children’s work
and even religious education of church members.

According to Open Doors World Watch List, four out of the five Central
Asian countries are included in the list of 50 countries where
Christians are persecuted for their faith: Uzbekistan (10th),
Turkmenistan (15th), Tajikistan (32), Kyrgyzstan (49).

In an environment where ethnic conflicts can be easily ignited, Central
Asia churches suffer the problem that these conflicts may cause
divisions and bitterness even amongst Christians.

The overall picture in Central Asia is the Church has to survive and
grow in circumstances of persecution, ethnic conflicts and economic
hardship. Study materials are lacking in the local languages, which is
a hindrance to discipleship especially in remote places. In Uzbekistan,
it is especially difficult as Christian literature is searched for,
confiscated and destroyed by police, and church members get detained
and fined on a massive scale. It is now an impossible task to get a
church registered, but even registration no longer protects a church
from police raids and detention of its members.

Christianity in Central Asia has to walk a long and narrow path to
growth, despite all the restrictions and difficulties imposed by state
and religious authorities, as well as pressure from the predominantly
Muslim society.

A believer in Uzbekistan says, ‘I continue to live by the power of the
One Who has loved me.’ This was just written by the wife of a pastor
serving his fourth year in prison for his Christian faith.

PRAISE GOD FOR:

* the spiritual revival in Central Asia following the collapse of the
Soviet Union.

* Church growth across Central Asia despite growing restrictions on
religious freedom and severe persecution in many places, praying
that he will protect and strengthen his Church.

* faithfulness and boldness of Christian leaders who set a good
example to the believers in their churches.

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY THAT GOD WILL:

* enable his children to fulfil his Great Commandment of making
disciples in all nations and all remote places, and that there will
be enough material in their languages so every believer might study
the Word of God in all its fullness.

* help and provide for many needy Christians living in this region of
great poverty and unemployment.

* help his children of different nationalities to be united amidst all
ethnic conflicts and be instruments of his peace.

SUMMARY TO USE IN BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE

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THE CHURCH’S STRUGGLE IN CENTRAL ASIA

The Church in the former Soviet countries of Central Asia —
Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan —
struggles for survival and growth amidst persecution, ethnic conflicts
and economic hardship. Lack of material in the local languages hinders
discipleship training. This is especially a problem in Uzbekistan where
the police search for Christian literature, seize and destroy it, as
well as detain and fine church members on a massive scale. It is now
impossible to get a church registered, but even registration no longer
protects a church from police raids and detention of its members.
Please pray for the Church in Central Asia on its long and narrow path
to growth, despite all the restrictions and difficulties imposed by
state and religious authorities, as well as pressure from the
predominantly Muslim society.

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We suggest that churches and fellowships using the above Summary might
also provide a copy of the listed prayer points to be used in their
worship by people who are leading in prayer.

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See also RLPB 072 (08 Sep 2010) Turkmenistan: Mounting Repression

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