For many years I have prayed with Christians from Central Asia. Among other things, at a gathering in the region where several hundred Christians from different churches in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan met for three days of prayer, fasting and worship. The Holy Spirit was strongly present and the prayers of the young church were inspiring. How can they pray for revival in countries where Christians are few and there can even be physical persecution? We Danish Christians have a lot to learn here.
Revival meetings with thousands of attendees
With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, a window opened. Atheism lost its power and freedom of religion was introduced in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. At the time, there were Christian ethnic minorities such as Russians and Germans in the region, but virtually no indigenous Christians from the predominantly Muslim majority populations.
Missionaries would travel to the region and revival meetings would be held in stadiums and auditoriums attended by thousands. I personally know several people who came to faith in Jesus as their savior during this period. Several of them are today leaders in the Danish European Mission's projects in Central Asia.
The window of opportunity
Before the collapse of communism in 1991, the Danish European Mission's intercessors and donors carried out incredibly important work in Central Asia. They contributed financially to the translation of the Bible into Uzbek, Kyrgyz, Tajik and Turkmen. The work was secretly carried out by the Institute for Bible Translation in Stockholm, which the Danish European Mission helped found in 1973.
Thus, manuscripts were ready to be published and satisfy the spiritual hunger in Central Asia when religious freedom came.
This window of opportunity was only open for a few years. From the late 1990s, the authorities in Turkmenistan began to impose restrictions. For example, missionaries were not allowed to renew their visas when they applied. For a number of years, Christian pastors were imprisoned in this country, as well as in Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.
Islam has martyr status in Central Asia
The majority of the population was predominantly Muslim and was subjected to forced secularization under communism in the same way as the previously predominantly Christian populations of Armenia, Georgia and Russia. Therefore, Islam has martyr status in Central Asia due to the persecution under communism - especially among young people.
Religious laws are strict and it can often be difficult to get churches approved and legalized. Islamic groups are trying to gain influence in countries where poverty can provide fertile ground for radical Islam. And the presidents, who are powerful, are probably more afraid of extremist Islamic groups than Christians and try to promote a form of cultural Islam similar to Danish cultural Christianity.
Young, sustainable churches
Christians must navigate complex legislation, intense surveillance and a civil society where many are attracted to Islam.
The good news is that today there are young but sustainable churches made up of native Kazakhs, Uzbeks, Tajiks, Kyrgyz and Turkmen. Christianity is no longer just something Western, Russian and foreign, but is quietly becoming part of the local culture.
The new and young churches need our prayers and support so that even more people can hear the good news of the great and infinite love God has shown us through Jesus Christ.
