During a recent visit to Central Asia the General Director of Slavic Gospel Association [UK], the Revd Derek Maxwell, had opportunity to enjoy fellowship with church leaders and believers living and wit-nessing in difficult, dangerous situations.
The collapse of the Soviet system in 1989 brought relief for believers from years of religious oppression, but this was quickly replaced by opposition from zealous religious sources along with governments pursuing a secular agenda.
Hope Centres
The country of Tajikistan, for example, has a population which is 98% Muslim, with around 3,000 believers in a population of 9million. Church congregations are advised to meet discreetly and sometimes secretly, yet there is a desire to reach out to fellow countrymen with the gospel, and they are active in evangelism where and when possible. Many vital opportunities arise through humanitarian aid offered in ‘Hope Centres’, where the hungry are fed, those with material and medical needs are helped, shelter is provided for vulnerable people, and the truth of the gospel is shared. These centres can also provide a meeting-place for the believers to worship.
Maxwell had the joy of meeting Volodva, converted from a life of drugs and crime and now a passionate evangelist. He leads a small church of 15 believers, with a Sunday School of 25 children in one of the poorest cities in his country. Two new believers were baptised on the weekend of Derek’s visit.
Prayer and baptism
Elsewhere, there was great rejoicing in a new Prayer Room which had been recently opened. More than 40 people gathered and, sitting on the floor ‘Tajik-style’, enjoyed a time of fellowship and worship. In another secure location a baptismal service was held for a number of converts, a visit Derek described as ‘a heart-moving experience’. The courage of Tamara, widowed when her pastor husband was murdered by Muslim extremists, was profoundly challenging. She continued the work for two years after his death, and still today ministers to needy children and to a number of girls enmeshed in a world of prostitution and immorality.
Bibles have been printed and published in several Central Asian languages. Very soon, the distribution of 100,000 Kazakh Bibles will commence with the aim of reaching Kazakhs for Christ. In another country, a Muslim lady who asked for a copy of the ‘special book’ in her language, was converted soon after beginning to read the gospel story. Pastors of secret house churches have access for the first time to the Scriptures in their own language. They are rejoicing in these blessings, despite the constant threat of persecution and even death. Pray for Central Asia and its acute spiritual needs.
