Kazakhstan
RAISING BOLD NEXT GENERATION CHRISTIAN LEADERS
Mission Eurasia works in Kazakhstan and the other countries of Eurasia to train and equip young Christian leaders for effective ministry.
Kazakhstan—once a land of ancient nomads and empires—is the world’s largest landlocked country, and the last Soviet republic to declare its independence after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. Rich in natural resources, Kazakhstan possesses the strongest Central Asian economy. Kazakhstan also boasts a large surveillance state, maintaining strict control of religious groups and political opposition. Raids on religious communities, as well as book burnings, fines, and imprisonment, are at times a very common occurrence. Kazakhstan’s government has often dealt violently with opposition protests, and elections have rarely, if ever, been deemed free and fair by the broader body of international election observers.
A majority of Kazakhstan’s population is culturally Muslim—up to 70 percent, though some estimates are closer to 50 percent to account for non-adherents and the non-religious. The Christian population is an estimated 25 percent when accounting for Russian Orthodox and others, while under two percent of the total population are evangelical Christian.
While the government technically operates as a secular state, religious freedom often receives little more than lip service: religious registration requirements are prohibitive, services and gatherings are surveilled, and meeting in places other than officially registered buildings is risky. Raids, fines, and imprisonment of Christians and Muslims alike are administered under vague definitions of extremism. The World Watch List ranks Kazakhstan in the top 50 worst countries in the world for persecution of Christians.
Despite these conditions, Christians of various ethnicities and denominations are working together to reach the spiritually lost. In some cases, the government has even looked favorably on these groups, including our SWW students and their outreach to people living with HIV/AIDS. Please pray for similar public platform and upcoming youth outreach initiatives. In 2023, you supported our SWW ministry training for 115 enrolled leaders, all 115 of whom graduated from the full two-year program!
Help Raise Up Bold Next Generation Christian Leaders in Central Asia
Mission Eurasia trains and equips young Christian leaders in Kazakhstan, where religious freedom is limited. Your donation can make a difference by supporting their efforts to raise up bold Next Generation Christian leaders who can effectively minister to those in need.
Consider donating today to help prepare Next Generation Christian leaders in Kazakhstan who can positively impact Eurasia for Christ.
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
Romans 12:12
Prayer Requests
- Please pray for political and religious freedom for the people of Kazakhstan. Pray that laws would change, and that Christians could freely worship and freely share about Christ with all people.
- Please pray for continued favor from the government toward our SWW program and students. Pray that they would have more opportunities to serve the community in practical ways and be a light to the nation.
- Please pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters. Pray the Lord would comfort, heal, and encourage those who are in prison. Pray He would meet them in their loneliness and pain, and that He would use them to reach others in the darkest of places.
- Please pray for Mission Eurasia’s ministry leaders as they reach out to Kazakh youth. Pray that God would cloak the leaders and youth with protection and that this Next Generation would grow up knowing and loving the Lord.
ALEXANDER’S STORY
“My name is Alexander, and I am 21 years old. I am studying to be a software developer, and I attend an evangelical church in the city of Temirtau. During this year I also became a School Without Walls (SWW) student. I like the fact that our SWW team is practice-oriented. This year our team decided to take part in organizing events for children with disabilities, taking children with special needs to a recreation area located outside the city. It was our third event in six months.
“Our SWW leader, Anastasia, works a lot with disabled children and has long encouraged me to participate in this project. The Lord began to knock on my heart and urged me to take part. It was not easy for me because we didn’t have anyone with disabilities in our family, and I have never in my life crossed paths with people with disabilities. At first, I agreed to participate with great excitement, but then I had some fear. In the beginning, I helped with the equipment and sound setup.
“But the Lord expected more from me. Anastasia asked me to take over a part of the program. It was a challenge but also an opportunity for growth. I did my best. During the event I saw the smiles of children and tears in the eyes of their parents. I was very touched. I later cried several times and thanked God for the opportunity to touch these little hearts.
“With each following event I began to understand more and more what I'm doing and who I'm trying to help. When the SWW team and I were reviewing our trip, I realized even more that such ministries are part of God's work, which, if possible, should be done consistently. Not only do they benefit children, but they also change us, the ministry leaders. Also, the fact that the parents entrusted us with their children was a great reward for me.
“This event did not last long, but I believe that the cause for which we sacrificed time, effort, and weekends will not be in vain before God. I have no regrets and am grateful for the opportunity made possible by SWW.”
