Seventy-five million people live in Central Asia. More than 80% of them are Muslims. Evangelical Christians are a very small minority, and evangelistic activity is severely restricted.
In this context how do you reach people with the gospel? How do you strengthen isolated believers? One way is through Christian radio. Trans World Radio broadcasts across Central Asia, taking up the challenge to make Bible truth accessible even in the most isolated places.
SGA (Slavic Gospel Association) was moved to introduce a special project in partnership with TWR. ‘Sending Little Missionaries’ was launched in June 2021, to which en readers responded, helping to raise significant funds for the purchase and distribution of small radios and SD cards pre-loaded with gospel programmes. This radio distribution initiative aims to reach all regions of Central Asia with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The following summary of progress during 2021 is a cause for thanksgiving to God.
• Tajikistan: in October, 150 radios, 150 media players and 4GB flash drives were provided. Some of these were delivered to isolated rural mountainous regions.
• Kyrgyzstan: several hundred radios were distributed. SGA’s partners cooperated with the local Blind Society and provided them with radios, SD cards, and flash drives pre-loaded with Biblical programmes. Teams also distributed these to shepherds in the mountainous pastures regions. Recently 500 more radios and SD cards were bought to be distributed to listeners.
• Kazakhstan: in one remote village several hundred radios, SD cards, CDs and DVDs were supplied to a house church which had come into being as a result of listening to radio programmes: people came together to pray and listen to the entire series. Recently, 200 radios were distributed at a pastors’ conference. They asked for more, recognising that it is a great tool for those who do not have access to a church.
• Uzbekistan: several brothers preach periodically in very remote villages and towns. They were provided with 230 radios and 300 SD cards to take with them for distribution. They will visit these listeners again, to take back the ‘used’ SD cards and bring them new recordings.
The believers are grateful for the many radios and SD cards which ministry teams have supplied to the churches. There was indescribable joy among those who received them! ‘Sending Little Missionaries’ is a project which is helping to reach all regions of Central Asia with God’s word. We pray that through this venture many more media tools will be provided during this year – 2022!
